VIDEOS
Here are a number of excellent videos to help develop both a deeper and broader understanding of LGBTQ+ affirmation in the church and why people have been growing, evolving, and changing their minds about this controvertial topic.
If you haven’t already done so, start with the videos on the Where To Begin? page.
Additionally, you can follow the link below to a convenient YouTube playlist.
Why I am LGBTQIA+ Affirming (as a Christian Theologian)
Stephen D. Morrison: In this video, I explain why, as a Christian theologian, I am LGBTQIA+ affirming. I discuss liberation theology and how it informs my position, I discuss the Biblical texts often used against such a position, and finally, I give a personal account of what led to an affirming stance.
Being Anti-Gay is a Choice
The fact of the matter is, there is no reason to believe that “homosexuality is a sin,” or, that “any and all same-sex sex acts and relationships” are wrong/immoral. At the end of the day, believing these things is simply a choice. Which is good news because, well, that means you can just CHOOSE to believe differently!
A Pastor’s Journey to LGBTQ Inclusion – Zach Lambert
In this keynote presentation, Pastor Zach Lambert tells his story of becoming fully affirming of LGBTQ people. Zach is the pastor of Restore Austin Church in Austin, Texas. He holds degrees from Hardin-Simmons University and Dallas Theological Seminary. He is currently earning his DMin at Duke Divinity School. He is the author of Better Ways to Read the Bible (Brazos, 2025).
What the Bible Says About Homosexuality
Kristin Saylor and Jim O’Hanlon talks about what the Bible really says about homosexuality and other LGBTQ topics.
Gay and Christian, No Contradiction | Brandan Robertson | TEDxLSSU
In this talk, I will weave together my journey as an LGBTQ+ Christian pastor who began within the evangelical tradition, was forced into conversion therapy, and after that failed to ‘heal’ me, I moved to reconcile my faith and sexuality. After spending a decade studying the Bible and Christian theology, I was surprised to find that the anti-LGBTQ+ interpretations of Scripture were wholly inconsistent with a historical approach to the Bible, and discovered a long tradition of queer people within the pages of the Bible and throughout Christian history. In this talk, I will share my thoughts on why homophobic interpretations of the Bible are plainly incorrect and how LGBTQ+ people can reclaim their place as rightful members of the community of faith. Rev. Brandan Robertson is a noted author, activist, and public theologian working at the intersections of spirituality and social renewal.
Finding Identity: An LGBTQ Pastor’s Journey | David Norse | TEDxPhiladelphia
“I was encouraged and on fire for the Lord and I felt a call to become a Presbyterian pastor and I also knew that I was gay, and that’s a paradox if ever there was one, and I had to figure it out.” In his talk David Norse, the first openly gay man to be ordained as a Presbyterian Pastor in Philadelphia, follows his journey from around the campfires at church camp, to Woody’s gay bar, to becoming a pastor at Broad Street Ministry. He illustrates and debunks the use of Scripture to exclude LGBTQ people from the church, and his personal story of how he reconciled being a gay man and also being Christian. From the societal shift to support same sex marriage within the church to the revolution of the Christian identity and LGBTQ identity coming together, David invites us to ask questions and challenge what we know and believe about God and the LGBTQ community.
The ally within | John Dehlin | TEDxUSU
Growing up as a conservative Mormon in Texas, there was little in John’s upbringing that would have predicted he would become an ally for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Mormons. He discusses his transformation from homophobe to LGBT ally and his research on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Mormon experience from a sample of over 1,600 LGBT Mormons.
If you’re a man, at one point or another you’ve probably thought to yourself, “I will never understand women!” And if you’re a woman, “what’s wrong with men?!” But your gender is all you’ve ever known, so how could you understand? As a transgender woman, Paula Stone Williams has lived on both sides, “and the differences are massive!” In this funny and insightful talk, Paula shares her wisdom for all.
How an Evangelical pastor became a trans ally | Kevin R. Scott | TEDxWilsonPark
What does it take to stand up for those who are vulnerable and misunderstood? In this heartfelt and powerful talk, Kevin R. Scott shares his personal journey as a father to a transgender daughter and an ally to the trans community. From calling out harmful comments to confronting systemic injustice, this talk explores the courage and compassion needed to protect and support transgender people. Scott sheds light on the challenges trans people face today, from legislative attacks to everyday bullying, and highlights the transformative power of simple actions: believing their stories, doing no harm, and using their name and pronouns. Through personal anecdotes and startling statistics, this talk offers a clear call to action: stand up to trans bullies, support trans lives, and be part of a world where everyone is treated with humanity and respect.
My positions on homosexuality & the Bible
The Bible Doesn’t Say So | Dan McClellan | TEDxLone Star College
Dr. Dan McClellan is well known for debunking Biblical misinformation online. He’ll explain why understanding biases matters and how misunderstanding ancient texts shapes modern debates in harmful ways.
The Bible and LGBTQ Inclusion: 5 Things You Need to Know by Dr. Brownson, Karen Keen, Matthew Vines
Join Dr. James Brownson, theologian Karen Keen, and TRP Executive Director Matthew Vines to equip yourself with 5 essential things to know about the Bible and LGBTQ inclusion from The Reformation Project Equipped for Change Conference in Orlando in October of 2018.
In this insightful and warm-hearted interview, Karen Keen interviews New Testament scholar Richard Hays about his change of mind concerning LGBTQ affirmation. He discusses his new book The Widening of God’s Mercy (co-authored with his son Christopher Hays, an Old Testament scholar). Among other questions, Karen asks Richard to respond to common traditionalist critiques of his book. The interview took place at the CenterPeace Conference in Dallas, Texas on October 25, 2024.
Kathy Baldock: Untangling the Mess – The Reformation Project in Los Angeles
Kathy Baldock unrolls an 18-foot timeline and helps us make sense of political, religious, and social milestones from the Old Testament through 2016. Workshop recorded October 21, 2016 at the Reformation Project Los Angeles Conference.
Austen Hartke, author of the forthcoming book “Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians,” presents on the Bible and transgender Christians at The Reformation Project in Chicago on Saturday, October 28, 2017.
Rev. Allyson Robinson delivers the keynote address at The Reformation Project conference in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, November 6, 2014.
Keynote message by Vicky Beeching at the Reformation Project in Kansas City, Saturday, November 7, 2015.
The New Evangelicals: Pastor Zach Lamber joins Tim Whitaker to respond to some of the critics who attended the Unconditional Conference. Were their assessments accurate?
The New Evangelicals: Melissa Dougherty recently brought on apologist Frank Turek to talk about the “trans agenda” and how it’s coming for kids. Tim and his friend Billie Hoard respond to unpack the misinformation presented in their broadcast.
There has been a major attitude shift in evangelical fundamentalism towards LGBTQ+ Christians, including those who choose to stay celibate. On this live, Matthew Vines, founder of The Reformation Project, joins me to peel back the curtain behind one of the most influential voices in evangelicalism pushing the conversation down a more extreme path.
Noah Mitchell explores the intersections of being Black, Gay, & Christian in the Black church. There is much work to be done to go from welcoming to affirming but this work could be the difference between life or death.
What happens when the most important parts of your life come into conflict? When Evangelical Christian mom Susan Cottrell’s daughter came out, she faced an impossible choice: her LGBTQ child or her non-affirming church. In this heartwarming talk, Susan explains why she chose her LGBTQ child and how she fights for progress inside the Christian Church.
Sarah McBride is an American LGBT rights activist who made national headlines when she came out as transgender to her college while serving as student body president at American University.
Justin Lee speaks on Saturday, November 9, 2019, at The Reformation Project’s 2019 Reconcile and Reform Conference, held at Plymouth Church United Church of Christ in Seattle, Washington. For 20 years, Justin Lee has been an influential Christian voice for LGBTQ affirmation, working across areas of theological disagreement to promote grace and mutual understanding. His first book, Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate, has been widely cited for its role in changing conservative Christians’ attitudes and helping Christian parents accept their LGBTQ kids. His newest book, Talking Across the Divide, offers strategies for having productive conversations in a polarized society.
Sally Gary, founder of CenterPeace and author of “Affirming,” shares her story of changing her mind on same-sex relationships—and why she remains committed to her faith, Scripture, and the church.
Matthew Vines speaks on new material in the revised and expanded edition of “God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships” at the CenterPeace Conference at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, on Friday, October 25, 2024.
New Testament scholar Dr. Richard Hays shares his personal story of how he came to change his mind on LGBTQ inclusion. Filmed shortly at the 2024 CenterPeace Conference, two months before he died of cancer. Dr. Hays describes how he came to be fully affirming of LGBTQ people and covenanted same-sex relationships.
Sean McDowell and Matthew Vines have a conversation about the Bible and homosexuality. They discuss the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 7 and Matthew 19 as well as the creation account in Genesis. They each present 20 minutes, interact for 40 minutes, take live Q&A, and then have 3 minute closing speeches.
As a general rule, I don’t like debates where each side just tries to win at all costs. I prefer gracious dialogue, where the goal is to increase understanding and find the truth. In that vein, I sat down with conservative Christian author Preston Sprinkle for a public dialogue (not, technically, a debate) in which we discussed why we disagree about sexual orientation and how we believe the church should respond.
Responding to Robert Gagnon
My final final response to Robert Gagnon