Writing for a safe, sacred space.
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Creating a Common Memory: An Evening with Mark Charles
I didn’t know exactly what I was getting into tonight. To be honest, I didn’t know much about Mark Charles or his work. I knew I wanted to support the Journey Center and my friend Mindy Braun, who organized this event. But as I sit in my car in the...
You’re So Beautiful: Praying for Jussie Smollett
Jussie Smollett's "You're So Beautiful (White Party Version)" from the TV show Empire was one of the songs I listened to over and over and over in the months before I came out as gay in the summer of 2016. For me, the words were such a joyful burst of...
You Gotta Give ‘Em Hope
I watched Milk last night, and I can't stop thinking about the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement. I'm a "new arrival" to this struggle, and for at least part of my life I was actively AGAINST everything this beautiful community stands for. But the more I...
Fear Not
Luke 2:10-11 - "But the angel reassured them. 'Don’t be afraid!' he said. 'I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!'" (NLT) I realized last night that I've...
Favorite Music of 2018
Favorite music of 2018. Hard to pick a favorite, but the four in the center are equally important to me. I listened to each of the singles as they became available, and the full albums just knocked me out. Yes, I know “thank u, next,” is a single, but it was exactly...
Still Standing
Throwback to 2005 and my photoshoot for “Still Standing.” Yes, I recorded a full-length album project back in the day. It’s actually still out there, available wherever you stream your music. Some of it is a little bit embarrassing, I suppose. I’m certainly not the...
God Is
I discovered this beautiful song a few days ago. Countless listens later, I am still getting emotional when I hear it. I think for Christians like me who are in the process of deconstructing our faith and discovering what we actually believe, worship music can be a...
An Advent Invitation for Bay Area Folks
If you need a little breathing space before Christmas gets too intense... Sometimes it feels like hope is in short supply. The world seems to be enveloped in darkness, and everywhere you look, people are frustrated, disappointed, angry and hopeless. But throughout the...
Jackie Hill-Perry and “Gay Girl, Good God”
This afternoon a friend asked me a question about Jackie Hill Perry. She said someone at her church had recommended Hill-Perry's book "Gay Girl, Good God" as proof that God "can cure homosexuality." I had some thoughts. Might as well share them with everyone, right?...
Boy Erased
Last night I went to see the new movie Boy Erased, based on the memoir of the same name by Garrard Conley. Many of you know that I share a similar story of attempted “conversion therapy” and have asked for my thoughts. I highly recommend the movie, and I...
Liz Budd Ellmann, MDiv, former Executive Director, Spiritual Directors International