Sanctified: An Anthology of Poetry by LGBT ChristiansBERKELEY, CA – This year marks the publication of the world’s first poetry anthology devoted exclusively to works by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans Christians. Justin R. Cannon, editor of Sanctified: An Anthology of Poetry by LGBT Christians, explains, “I am excited about this publication because LGBT Christians’ voices need to be heard not only in church meetings, city councils, and courtrooms, but also in the literary arena. I believe poetry is an intimate, very revealing form of writing, and that this anthology speaks deeply to the experience of queer Christians in our world.” He elaborates, “The many voices in this anthology reveal the deep pain and grief, longing and desire, and also the joys of LGBT Christians, who are often caught between two worlds that are so often opposed to each other. These poems also give a glimpse of the many gifts we have to offer the church and society.”
Almost a year ago Cannon began collecting submissions from LGBT Christians through http://www.sanctifiedanthology.com/. He explains, “Reading through the countless submissions that we received was a crazy task–there were so many good poems that had to be narrowed down for the publication.” Remorsefully, Cannon confesses, “I knew I had to narrow it down, but it was still hard sending notices to the poets whose works were not accepted for publication. I am quite satisfied, though, with how the book has turned out.”
The final product is a beautiful tome of 142 pages featuring poetry by thirty-three poets including: Stephen Barlett-Re, Jeffrey Barnes, Ben Barton, J. Michael Braiden, Nathan I. Brisby, Justin Cannon, John Coons, Sharon E. Cutts, Trey Dayton, Edward Gerard DeBonis, Christopher Alan Gaskins, Mario Gerada, Mario Gonzalez, Heidi Griepp, Chad Gurley, Linda Heidenreich, Lucas Roberto Hoare, Ryan Hollist, Timothy Holyoake, Wes Jamison, Jeffery Johnson, Henry Juhala, Erik J. Koepnick, Mark Koerber, Jose A. Lopez “Joalby”, Gregory Loselle, Timothy Metzner, Lucas Mix, Al-Antony Moody, Connie Schroeder, Richard Tetreault, Robert Thompson, and Fred Turpin.
Sanctified can be ordered online at http://www.sanctifiedanthology.com/, and is also listed on Amazon.com (ISBN: 978-1438247854). Cannon is also the director of Inclusive Orthodoxy, an online ministry to LGBT Christians (http://www.inclusiveorthodoxy.org/) as well as an LGBT Christian dating service, RainbowChristians.com. He currently lives in Berkeley, California where he is a student at Church Divinity School of the Pacific and is pursuing priesthood in the Episcopal Church.
REVIEWS:
“The anthology, that tricky blend of writing that only a few editors can manage to get right, is sometimes a cache of fantastic writings. Yet, though beating a dead horse, it is used to help gain readership in the sometimes-forgotten world of poetry. This collection, Sanctified: An Anthology of Poetry by LGBT Christians was actually a smart move on the part of editor Justin R. Cannon. For the first time ever, there is poetry presenting the religious journey of the LGBT community.
No longer should lifestyle be the decider of the faithful. Saint Peter will have to find another method for sending people away from those infamous pearly gates. Everyone in this book believes in God, trusts God, and knows that they have every right to do so, regardless of sexuality. Poets such as J. Michael Braiden, in his poem ‘Irrepressible,’ shows how an abundance of faith can keep anyone going. Faith should, after all, support personal growth.
New voices in poetry help to define queer theology in the genre of poetry. The Christian God is a God of love. Through praise, through faith, and even through unfounded prejudice, poetry, in this case, can be a means to become closer with Him. In the words of Al-Antony Moody, ‘Mercy and Kindness upholds his heavenly throne.’”
~ Out in Jersey Magazine, Oct/Nov 2008, Reviewed by Ashley Wildes
“Sanctified is a powerful, poignant and diverse collection of ideas, thoughts, and especially emotions emanating from each poet's gentle, beautiful soul. These wonderfully crafted poems are a touching celebration of the Christian GLBT and Searching Community that reflect love, hope, dreams, and a deep, profound faith that inspires. Each poem is a spiritual gem that offers the reader a great deal to reflect on whether gay or straight.”
~ Bishop Paul Peter Jesep, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church Kyiv-Patriarchate and author of Crucifying Jesus and Secularizing America – the Republic of Faith Without Wisdom
“I started reading. I couldn't stop. So many contradictions. Such self-awareness. Some poems are sad or angry, and some are very dark indeed, but, I found myself loving the (often self-deprecating) humour of others, and admiring how these poets each have such a gift of expression. They write from their innermost being of loneliness, relationships, the pain of rejection and the joy and passion of love, of their relationship with Christ, the church, and with their families of origin.
I wanted to remember each one. They spoke to my heart and I thought, people need to read this book!”
~ Mary Pearson, Founder and Administrator of ChristianGays.com
____________________________________________________________________
For further resources visit:
http://www.gaybookblog.net/2009/01/worlds-first-gay-christian-poetry.html
No comments:
Post a Comment