About the name Queering the Way
The first followers of Jesus called themselves The Way. Their community was made up of all kinds of people united by the calling and gifting of the Holy Spirit among them. Nearly 2000 years later, we attempt to do the same but are sometimes hindered by the structures and ideals within our traditions. Many of us have heard the voice of the Holy Spirit calling and gifting us to love, affirm, and celebrate LGBTQIA+ (queer, for short) people, but there is much work yet to be done.
Queer people have a unique perspective to share with the world, just like those of other marginalized or non-majority communities. Our experiences and identities give us eyes to see and ears to hear in ways that is often missed when we only study the Bible and Christian traditions through the lens of cisgender and heterosexual (cis-het, for short) worldviews.
The goal of this site is to equip and empower queer folks and our allies to learn what it means to live at the intersection of queer and Christian, to promote helpful resources, and to explore queer interpretations of the Bible and theology. The Way was made not just for some, but for all. May God help us as we find our way together!
About the Author: Clayton Gladish
Hi, I’m Clayton (he/him). The TLDR about me is that I have a curious mind, a compassionate heart, and a practical spirit. These attributes and values come in handy as I wrestle with my identity as a gay man and a pastor. My hope is to explore and broaden our understanding of the intersection of faith and queerness.
Oh, you’re still reading? Well, I guess I’ll give you a little more info about me then…
I’ve been a pastor in the Anabaptist/Mennonite tradition for more than 12 years. This is my chosen spiritual family and the tradition in which I have the most experience and knowledge. While I believe that the integration of queerness and whatever faith stream one finds meaningful, I can only speak from what I know. I always welcome the insight of others from other traditions to fill in my blind spots and places of ignorance. Please feel free to email me to suggest resources that would help me grow in my understanding of integration with other faith practices.
My first 7 years of ministry were spent in the closet, uncertain of how to be both a pastor and a gay man. Through therapy, spiritual direction, and community discernment I was able to set a path forward that would allow me to be both. I am so grateful for those who have come before me and did the incredibly difficult work that makes this possible. Read my coming out post. I now add my voice and leverage my privilege to theirs in seeking liberation, justice, and celebration of my LGBTQIA+ kindred.
Since coming out I have been discerning my part in this work. One aspect of that work is to help educate and provide access to resources for queer people and our allies alike. That was the inspiration for this website and the first phase of what I feel called to do. The second phase is to help us to identify the ways in which our queerness helps us to experience God’s kingdom more fully. While fraught with many challenges, I believe the church is made better through our inclusion and celebration of LGBTQIA+ persons and relationships. Every person who has ever lived and will ever live is created in God’s image and each of them give us a unique glimpse into the mystery of God.
