“Men, Homosexuality, and the Gods: An Exploration into the Religious Significance of Male Homosexuality in World Perspective”
by Ronald Long
Routledge, 2004, 190 pages

At A Glance: “Men, Homosexuality, and the Gods” explores the spiritual and cultural meanings of male same-sex relationships across global religions, challenging traditional views by uncovering how masculinity, not theology, often shaped acceptance or exclusion.

Overview: “Men, Homosexuality, and the Gods: An Exploration into the Religious Significance of Male Homosexuality in World Perspective” offers a compelling global study of how male homosexuality has been interpreted through religious and cultural lenses across time and traditions.

This book dives into diverse belief systems—from the Taoists of ancient China to Native American spiritual practices and Islamic Sufism—to explore how theological understandings of masculinity have shaped acceptance, rejection, or even ritualization of same-sex relationships. It argues that the rejection of homosexuality has more to do with rigid constructions of masculinity than sacred doctrine, revealing how male receptivity was often associated with loss of power or status.

Rather than dismissing religion, the book treats it as a deeply human search for meaning and moral integrity, proposing that the 2SLGBTQIA+ movement is part of a broader spiritual reimagining of what it means to be human. This accessible and eye-opening text invites readers to reconsider global religious perspectives on queerness and recognize the liberative potential in reinterpreting both sexuality and faith.

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“Trans Biblical: New Approaches to Interpretation and Embodiment in Scripture”
edited by Marchal A. Joseph, Sellew Harl Melissa, Valentine E. Katy
Westminster John Knox Press, 2025, 296 pages

At A Glance: “Trans Biblical” explores trans-biblical interpretations, revealing the richness of gender variance in scripture and challenging traditional binary readings of biblical texts.

Overview: “Trans Biblical: New Approaches to Interpretation and Embodiment in Scripture” is a groundbreaking collection of essays exploring trans biblical interpretation through diverse perspectives.

Written by scholars of various gender identities, this volume challenges rigid, binary understandings of gender in biblical texts while uncovering historical and theological insights about gender variance in the ancient world. The contributors examine how biblical narratives—from Genesis to the Gospels and beyond—offer more fluid and complex representations of gender than traditionally assumed.

By engaging deeply with scripture, this collection invites readers to rethink their understanding of embodiment, gender, and faith, making it an essential resource for those seeking a more inclusive and nuanced approach to biblical interpretation.

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