“Beyond Shame: Creating a Healthy Sex Life on Your Own Terms”
Matthias Roberts
Fortress Press, 2020, 250 Pages

At A Glance: “Beyond Shame” is an empowering guide for 2SLGBTQIA+ Christians, offering strategies to overcome sexual shame and develop a fulfilling, self-defined sexual life.

Overview: In “Beyond Shame: Creating a Healthy Sex Life on Your Own Terms,” Matthias Roberts, a gay psychotherapist, provides a vital resource for all Christians, but especially 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals grappling with sexual shame. Drawing from his experience and expertise, Roberts addresses the damaging effects of the purity culture prevalent in American Evangelical Christianity and broader societal norms.

The book challenges readers to break free from the shame associated with sexuality, often intensified in queer lives, and to reject harmful coping mechanisms. Emphasizing the importance of personal agency, “Beyond Shame” guides readers in defining their own sexual ethics, balancing the extremes of unrestricted sex positivity and stringent moral boundaries. It’s a compelling call for 2SLGBTQIA+ Christians to cultivate a healthy, shame-free sexual identity on their own terms.

Thoughts from Readers: