“Born Again Queer: A History of Evangelical Gay Activism and the Making of Antigay Christianity“
by William Stell
Princeton University Press, 2026, 304 pages

At A Glance: “Born Again Queer” reveals the overlooked history of 2SLGBTQIA+ activism within evangelicalism, offering a powerful retelling of faith, resistance, and the struggle for inclusion.

Overview: “Born Again Queer” offers a revelatory and deeply researched history that challenges the assumption that antigay sentiment has always been central to evangelical Christianity. William Stell uncovers a dynamic period in the 1970s and 1980s when a small but determined group of evangelical gay activists- authors, ministers, and scholars- sought to transform their churches into affirming spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ people.

Drawing on archival materials and personal interviews, the book recounts their efforts to resist exclusion and offer a different vision of faith, one rooted in justice, love, and inclusion. By documenting the rise and eventual marginalization of these voices, Stell reframes our understanding of evangelical history and highlights the longstanding presence of 2SLGBTQIA+ witness within Christian traditions.

Thoughts from Readers: