Queer women saints honored for Women’s History Month

Women saints of special interest to LGBT people are listed here today because March is Women’s History Month. LGBT rights and women’s rights go together because both groups experience discrimination based on gender stereotypes.

Each woman’s name is linked to her individual profile in the LGBT Saints series by Kittredge Cherry. The series honors traditional and alternative saints, martyrs, mystics, heroes, holy people, deities and religious figures who are especially meaningful to LGBTQ people and our allies. Most are lesbians or queer themselves. This list is a work in progress and more names will be added.

***

Traditional Christian saints and holy women

Click on names for more info

Brigid and Darlughdach: Brigid loved her female soulmate


Esther and Vashti: Biblical queens inspire LGBT writers

Our Lady of Guadalupe: Artists imagine Queer Lady of Guadalupe


Hildegard of Bingen and Richardis: Mystic who loved women


Joan of Arc: Cross-dressing warrior-saint


Juana Ines de la Cruz: Mexican nun who loved a countess


Julian of Norwich: Medieval mystic celebrating Mother Jesus


Martha and Mary of Bethany: Sisters or lesbian couple?


Mary, Diana and Artemis: Feast of Assumption has lesbian goddess roots


Mary Magdalene: Undeserved reputation for sexual sins


Perpetua and Felicity: Friends to the end


Ruth and Naomi: Love between women in the Bible


Wilgefortis: Bearded woman saint

Alternative

Marcella Althaus-Reid: Queer theology pioneer

Artemisia Gentileschi: Baroque rape survivor paints strong Biblical women


Kuan Yin: Reflecting the queer Asian Christ


Saints of Stonewall: Launched LGBT rights movement


We'wha of Zuni: Two-spirited Native American remembered on Columbus Day

___
Related links:

Artist paints holy lesbians and other women: Interview with Angela Yarber

LGBT Saints Series (male, female and everything in between) by Kittredge Cherry

____
This post is part of the GLBT Saints series by Kittredge Cherry at the Jesus in Love Blog. Saints, martyrs, mystics, heroes, holy people, deities and religious figures of special interest to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) and queer people and our allies are covered on appropriate dates throughout the year.