Show Notes
Brian is joined by his longtime friend, Michael R. Speciàle (@speciale.mr) on this pod this week for an interview that is funny, provocative, and moving. Michael is a writer, performer, and cultural strategist based in Los Angeles. He grew up between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington, converted himself to the Mormon Church at fifteen, faithfully served a mission in Paraguay, and left the Church at twenty-three. Two decades later, that experience became the catalyst for “Bottoming for Jesus” which is his debut solo work. The conversation is an exploration of faith, sexuality, belonging, and the search for purpose. Drawing from his experience converting to Mormonism as a teenager, serving as a missionary, and later embracing his queer identity, Michael reflects on the performances we all give to find acceptance, the ways religion and desire can intertwine, and the lingering impact of religious trauma. Brian and Michael discuss queer hospitality, hookup culture, creative healing, and the surprising ways friendship shaped both of their lives. They also unpack the show’s irreverent title, its liturgical structure, the role of Judy Garland as a queer patron saint, and Michael’s powerful reimagining of atonement and repentance as practices of self-acceptance rather than shame. Michael invites listeners to consider what holes they’re trying to fill, and what it might mean to finally come home to themselves.
Resources:
Follow Michael on IG: https://instagram.com/speciale.mr, https://instagram.com/familyaffairs.studio, https://instagram.com/bottomingforjesus Learn more about the show “Bottoming for Jesus” at https://bottomingforjesus.com https://familyaffairs.studio/edinburgh/bfj https://tickets.zoofestival.co.uk/event/124:2011/ Learn more and join the Community at https://www.queertheology.com/community/
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More from Queer Theology
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It’s a special episode this week as we celebrate the launch of our brand-new book, “Reading the Bible Through Queer Eyes: Good News for LGBTQ+ People from Genesis to Revelation.” We have been doing this work for more than a decade and we’re super excited to finally see it in book form! If you’ve been here for a while, you’ll know we’ve always been big proponents of storytelling, telling YOUR story, and approaching Scripture through a queer lens. In this book we explore how moving beyond defensiveness and moving toward joy, wonder, and deeper spiritual insight brings a richer understanding of Scripture. The book is available for pre-order now and releases December 1 in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook. There are also some pre-order bonuses as a thank you for being part of this journey with us and for helping us share a message of queer joy, spiritual possibility, and good queer gospel with the world! Resources:
This week we queer Matthew 20:1–16, the familiar parable of the laborers in the vineyard, and uncover a lesson that is deeply concerned with labor, wages, economic justice, and generosity. This passage is often taught as a story about salvation and getting into heaven, but when we explore what emerges when we take Jesus’ words about workers, wages, and equality seriously, it shows again how the gospel is political. We also reflect on what it means to welcome people who join the work late, distinguish genuine participation from simply claiming allyship, and hold space for both the frustration of those who have carried the burden for a long time and the generosity of those ready to join. It’s a powerful reminder that the kingdom of heaven is here and now and we are invited to dream bigger and with more generosity where we are today. There is so much more that is possible!