Pride photo: Maybe Jesus Was Gay

“Just a Thought” by San Diego Shooter Nathan Rupert

“Maybe Jesus Was Gay” declared a festive sign in the 2010 San Diego LGBT Pride parade July 17.

It was carried by the group from Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Carlsbad, CA.

Progressive Bible scholars believe that the gay Jesus is a real likelihood, and artists are envisioning it. Chicago Theological Seminary professor Theodore Jennings explores the Biblical hints about Jesus’ homosexuality in “The Man Jesus Loved.” I gathered some of the best queer Christ images into my book “Art That Dares: Gay Jesus, Woman Christ, and More.”

Special thanks to Eric Isaacson for alerting me to the photo above and taking the photo below. You made this post happen!

Thanksgiving tribute to straight allies

A “No on Prop 8” yard sign quotes Jesus: “Love thy neighbor”

[Editor’s note: The following Thanksgiving reflection was originally written by a lesbian as a thank-you letter to her neighborhood association in California after the Nov. 4 election. The author wishes to remain anonymous.] Thank you to all our straight neighbors, allies and friends who put up yard signs, made phone calls and supported the huge lesbian and gay civil rights movement to make marriage for our people legal in the State of California. I loved those NO ON 8 SIGNS!! I know not everyone here supports gay or lesbian marriage, but speaking as a person who has been with my partner for 33 years, it is a real issue for real people. I remember the days when there were no straight people at any of our events, and certainly for decades straight people wanted nothing to do with us. Now something amazing has changed, and I feel proud of our little neighborhood where people literally put signs in the yards that I felt personally supported me. I smile every time I drive by all your houses now because I remember where all the signs were. And some are still up long after the election. In time, even the most hardened bigots will do what all social change activists advocate -- get to know the people you think are bad PERSONALLY. Come on over for coffee, and don't listen to the lies of people who call themselves Christians, but seemingly have so little knowledge of how Jesus really lived his life. Thanks again! And be sure to look on the Internet for the protests we're having all over the city. Civil rights takes generations sometimes, and real social change doesn't occur over night, but we sure made a good showing. I would say that we in our neighborhood have become a shining city on a hill -- just like the Pilgrims envisioned as they sailed over on the Mayflower (Thanksgiving is coming soon :-). Happy Thanksgiving!

Another real-life yard sign from a California neighborhood

November sunlight shines on more election signs of the times

Creative signs stop hate at protests

“Who would Jesus discrimin8 - Overturn Prop 8” was one of the many creative signs carried today as protests were held simultaneously in every U.S. state. JesusInLove.org was among the more than 500 protesters at Pasadena City Hall in California. I took photos of many protestors and their signs. Those with religious themes are especially suitable for this blog, but I’m also posting some others that are too good to be missed. Visit the Jesus in Love YouTube page to our videos of the event. Join the Impact has more info on the protests and the movement to promote love and equality. “The Bible is not a weapon of hate.” Thanks to this protestor for getting at how homophobes abuse the Bible to stop same-sex marriage. I love the rainbow signs held by these three black women: “I won’t until you can.” “Separate is not equal” and Love is for all.” St. Augustine’s words are used to support same-sex marriage. The sign quotes him as saying, “An unjust law is no law at all.” “Mormons want 3 wives -- but I can’t have 1 husband! Get a grip!” Clever jab at the Mormon Church, which funded much of the latest campaign to ban same-sex marriage. This protestor’s shirt reads, “Marriage is a human right, not a heterosexual privilege.” She was wheeled to the protest in a wheelchair by her daughter. Even dogs want to "Stop the H8" as it says on the collar of this Great Dane who attended the protest. Many kids were at the protest, including this mother-and-child pair with a sign saying, “2 mommies can raise a president.” I can hardly wait for that election! “Support love. Stop H8” “Love not H8.” That about sums it up.