Breakout Sessions
Presenters, Details, & More
This page will continue to be updated the closer we get to Conference. Please keep in mind that this schedule is tentative and subject to change. To view the full Conference schedule, click here.
BLOCK A | BLOCK B | BLOCK C | BLOCK D | BLOCK E | OTHER SESSIONS
Block A
Friday, 11:30AM PST
Bi+ Faith: Celebrating Our Presence and Meeting Our Needs in Congregations
TRACKS: Equity, Allyship, & Intersectionality: Racial, Theological, & Relational
CONTENT WARNING: Biphobia
Curious about bi, pan, and omnisexual identities and how they intertwine with faith and queerness? Join us for a workshop that’s equal parts heart, humor, and hard-hitting truths. Together, we’ll unpack what these identities mean, clear up misconceptions, and explore why understanding them matters—in the queer community, in faith spaces, and beyond. this workshop offers tools and perspectives to build stronger connections and foster a more inclusive world. Expect engaging discussions, actionable takeaways, and maybe even an “aha” moment or two. Come as you are; leave with a richer understanding.
The Reverend Dr. Daniel Rodriguez Schlorff (he/him)
While in my process of ordination in the Church of the Nazarene, I deconstructed (before that was a thing), which freed me to understand myself as queer. I pursued additional studies at the University of Chicago Divinity School and Meadville/Lombard (MAR), Hartford Seminary (MDiv/MA), Pacific School of Religion (DMin/Cert Sexuality & Religion), and recently returned to Hartford as a current PhD student in New Testament and Christian Origins. As Senior Minister of Third Congregational Church (Middletown, CT), I openly identify as pansexual and host of BiFaith.org. In my past career, I have been a professor of LGBT Studies at the University of Wisconsin, earned four units of Clinical Pastoral Education working as a hospice then psychiatric chaplain, and have planted a church for the Alliance of Baptists. For more info about me, see Schlorff.com.
Navigating Race, Sexuality, and Belonging in the Black Church
TRACKS: Theology & Scripture: Faith, Gender Identity, & Sexuality
CONTENT WARNING: Homophobia and/or Transphobia
Navigating Race, Sexuality, and Belonging in the Black Church is a workshop examining how race, sexuality, and faith intersect within Black church spaces. Through personal testimonies, guided discussions, and reflective exercises, participants will explore the historical and ongoing obstacles created by faith-based sexual exclusion‚ including shame, isolation, and spiritual conflict‚ and their impact on belonging and mental wellness. The session offers practical tools for fostering inclusion and healing, encouraging participants to confront exclusionary traditions with empathy and understanding. A closing spiritual exercise affirms God’s unconditional love for all identities, inspiring collective action toward justice, affirmation, and authentic community.
Dr. Dontá Morrison (he/him)
Dr. Dontá Morrison is a nationally recognized writer, producer, director, and scholar-practitioner whose work bridges public health, theology, and social justice. With over 20 years of experience, he is known for facilitating transformative conversations on race, sexuality, identity, and wellness‚ particularly within Black and LGBTQ+ communities. He is the author of Faithful and Forgotten and a sought-after speaker who has presented across the U.S., U.K., India, and West Africa. Dr. Morrison also mentors youth, empowers emerging leaders, and co-owns WATCH VIM, a streaming platform amplifying LGBTQ voices of color. His work centers healing, inclusion, and meaningful social change.
Reclaiming and Proclaiming Resilience - Trauma Informed Prayer
TRACKS: Spiritual Practices & Formation
In many justice spaces there is a hyper-fixation on oppression and struggle. Given all that is happening in the world, it is critical and needed that while we recognize our challenges, we must also focus, uplift, and celebrate the ways individuals and communities are living into and living out resilience. This session will explore prayer practices and liturgies that are trauma-informed--practices that hold both the suffering and hope experienced within our inner sanctuaries and ripple throughout all aspects of our lives from survival to wholizing thriving. It will be a time for discussion and invitations to practice different prayer forms.
delfin bautista (they/elles/delfin)
delfin is a social worker, writer, activist theologian, and diversity educator. delfin has a Master in Divinity from Yale University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. A queer and trans Latine diva of faith and spirited sacred sass, delfin is passionate about intersectional justice and liberation, especially around the experiences of queer and trans people of color. delfin currently serves as Director of the Cantu Queer Center at UC Santa Cruz.
More Than Affirming: The Sacred Work of True Allyship
TRACKS: Parents, Families, & Allies
Affirming theology is a vital first step — but true allyship requires more. In this session, Liz Dyer, founder of Real Mama Bears, will explore how Christians can move beyond belief and into bold, loving action. Together, we’ll reflect on what it means to unlearn harmful narratives, show up for LGBTQ+ people, listen with humility, and use our influence to create spaces where everyone can thrive. This is a call to embody Christ’s love not just in word, but in deed.
Liz Dyer (she/her)
Liz Dyer (she/her) is a writer, speaker, activist, and the founder of Real Mama Bears. In 2014, she created a private Facebook group for moms of LGBTQ+ kids hoping to offer connection, support, resources, and a place where moms could work together to make the world kinder and safer for LGBTQ+ people. That dream has grown into an organization serving more than 100,000 families annually, 60+ chapters, a variety of private groups, and seven programs serving the LGBTQ+ community. Real Mama Bears has been featured in major media, including the Schitt’s Creek documentary and the award-winning Mama Bears film. Learn more at realmamabears.org.
Reclaiming the Clobber Passages
TRACKS: Theology & Scripture: Faith, Gender Identity, & Sexuality
CONTENT WARNING: Violence, Homophobia and/or Transphobia, Sexual Assault
Online
Over the years, several theologians, Bible scholars, and lay people have done incredible research to highlight that the infamous clobber passages aren’t about demonizing LGBTQ+ people. But what comes next? Are those passages to stay out of our personal lectionaries forever? Or are there soul-nourishing lessons we can take from them once we remove the lens of hate through which we were introduced to them? Join Rev. Kali Cawthon-Freels as she shares what she’s learned from these passages and provides tips for how to engage them if you choose.
Rev. Kali Cawthon-Freels (she/her)
Rev. Kali Cawthon-Freels currently leads the Faithful Pride Initiative at Good Faith Media and serves on the pastoral staff of Williamsburg Baptist Church in Williamsburg, VA. For Good Faith Media, she writes extensively at the intersection of queerness and spirituality, recognizing both as gifts from God. She also strives to integrate those insights into how she pastors. When she’s not writing or pastoring, Kali enjoys playing nerdy boardgames with her wife Haley and cooking.
Finding Your People After Leaving Church
TRACKS: Building Healthy Relationships, Dialogue, & Managing Conflict
CONTENT WARNING:Homophobia and/or Transphobia, Death or dying
Online
For queer Christians whose primary experience of community occurred in a rigid religious context, we learned that there is one right and good way to do relationships. Too often, we learned not to trust ourselves or anyone outside that church or denomination. After leaving or being forced out, we long for a better way to be with people, but we haven't learned how. "Finding Belonging After Leaving Church" is an interactive workshop guided by experienced facilitator and podcast host MaryB. Safrit that will help you reclaim your relational agency and leave you with practical, contextual wisdom for building authentic, grounded relationships in your actual life.
MaryB Safrit (she/her)
MaryB. Safrit is a writer, podcaster, and speaker who empowers deconstructors to reclaim their agency and find authentic belonging as they are, where they are. She is the host of the Found Family podcast, which explores expansive belonging. An experienced facilitator, Mary B.has led discussions for small and large groups, moderated panels, and emceed events for over fifteen years. She has spoken to audiences internationally and domestically over the past 15 years, most recently at Kaleidoscope's Queer Bible Study Retreat and the 2025 Broken to Beloved Virtual Summit. MaryB. writes regularly about belonging, queer faith, and relationships on her Substack.
Block B
Friday, 2:30PM PST
Finding Our Anchorages - Queer Kinship Patterns Beyond Marriage
TRACKS: Building Healthy Relationships, Dialogue, & Managing Conflict
CONTENT WARNING: Self-harm and/or suicide, Death or dying, Homophobia and/or Transphobia
For those of us who don’t plan on marriage, where do we find safe harbors in which to anchor ourselves in the hope of Jesus? What people, places, relational patterns, and structures help us hold on to hope and find security and meaning? In this interactive session we will play with the metaphor of anchorages to explore how we envision, find, and grow into relationships and communities that support us and provide security and freedom, unity and room to grow. We'll have time for small group discussion and personal reflection to help us apply these concepts to our own journeys.
Lin Melone (she/her)
Lin Melone (she/her) is a covenant member of the Church of the Soujourners, an intentional Christian community in San Francisco, and currently serves on the preaching-teaching team there. She has MA degrees in Politics and Education, and has spoken on Christian community at conferences such as Revoice, CenterPeace’s E3, and Weaving Our Gifts, as well as at prior QCF conferences. She is the mom of a 30-something son, a retired teacher and the author of "Welcoming Rainbow Kids" in Faith Forward (Czinos and Bray, eds.). Lin identifies as gay/demi/gray/ace, and serves on the QCF EDI Council.
T.J. Espinoza (he/him)
TJ Espinoza (he/him) is a queer/same-sex attracted mestizo man who has homes and family in Mexico, the US Midwest, and sub-Saharan Africa. He is an Anglican Christian (Anglo-Orthodox) with a keen interest in ecumenical engagement. Beyond co-hosting the New Kinship podcast, he is a social scientist with a background in theology and loves thinking of both fields in tandem. He is perpetually thinking about the good life, human flourishing, kinship, heritage, and the goods of (chastely celibate) committed, same-sex love. He also loves books, conversation, RPGs, and story-generator sims, and he is an aspiring writer and gardener.
Friendly Neighborhood Communitarian (he/him)
Friendly Neighborhood Communitarian works in his local neighborhood and has been pursuing singleness for the sake of community for some years now. He cherishes the relational warmth of his small community house, and loves when neighbors near or far can come and visit. He’s enraptured with a vision of the eternal kingdom: a world where the only currency is agape, the only tears are from laughter, and the fullness of interdependent life in Jesus Christ will be manifest.
Beyond the Binary of Attractions: What’s Under the Bisexual+ Umbrella?
TRACKS: Coming Out: Guidance & Experience
What does the “B” really stand for in “LGBTQIA+”? In this session we will explore some common expressions of identity that fall under the Bi+ umbrella, and discuss unique challenges faced by Bi+ people, especially within the church. This is a nonjudgmental space where each attendee can reflect on their own experiences and values living with attraction beyond the binary often assumed in conversations about sexual orientation. This session will be educational for all members of the queer community, but especially helpful to people looking for community with others who experience sexual attraction but identify as neither gay or straight.
Jonathan Drummond (he/him)
Jonathan Drummond (he/him) has been part of Q Christian Fellowship since 2016, contributing to multiple workshops on the diverse nature of the queer community from medical and social perspectives. Understanding that creation exists along a continuum of expression is key to understanding the breadth and depth of God’s love. Jonathan is a minister of sacrament and word within the United Methodist Church. Having earned his MDiv from the Iliff School of Theology after a career in medicine, Jonathan focuses his ministry, Grace Outtabounds, on the full inclusion of the entirety of God’s Beloved Community to the table of sacred fellowship.
Erin Freiberg (she/her)
Erin Freiberg (she/her) discovered Q Christian Fellowship after a long struggle to reconcile her bisexuality and Christian faith in nonaffirming churches. God led her to self-acceptance after one of her children came out as gay and she was finally able to fully grasp God’s unconditional love. QCF’s resources gave Erin needed hope during that pivotal time, and she is honored to contribute her legal and nonprofit experience to the QCF Board so that other LGBTQ+ Christians can find support and belonging. Erin loves sharing meals with friends and family, walking her stubborn dog, and any excuse to travel.
Co-Crafting Liberative Theologies of Sex(uality)
TRACKS: Theology & Scripture: Faith, Gender Identity, & Sexuality
CONTENT WARNING: Sexism and misogyny, Homophobia and/or Transphobia, Sexual Assault, Self-harm and/or suicide
Traditionalist quests for THE authoritative theology of sex(uality) suppress the multiplicity of faithful witnesses offering valuable insights about living into a liberative, justice-oriented—and fruitful—Gospel in every aspect of life (including sexual practices and “right” relation). We will invite diverse theological understandings into conversation with the varied, nuanced—and completely valid—insights we have received from the Holy Spirit working among us and in our individual lives. Our practice will not provide one, single answer. Rather we will model communal listening for practical, grounded wisdom we can employ in our own lives and among those we love and serve.
Jon Carl Lewis (he/him)
Jon Carl Lewis (he/him) is a liberative theologian and spiritual embodiment coach helping queer and progressive Christians explore healthy, justice-oriented, Jesus-centered and joyful attitudes and practices around sexuality, relating, and the body. He invites people of faith into conversation around discerning the truly Good News of our sexual/relational diversity as witness to Spirit moving through and remaking the world. Jon Carl brings theological and spiritual curiosity—and a geeky love of peer-reviewed science—to the diversity, complexity, and fluidity of real people’s lived sexual/spiritual experiences. He lives with his husband, Steve Slusher, in Trenton, NJ.
Reexamining Hell: Scripture, Salvation, and the Wider Mercy of God
TRACKS: Theology & Scripture: Faith, Gender Identity, & Sexuality
CONTENT WARNING: How hell and eternal condemnation has been used to scare LGBTQ+ people into denying who they are.
This session invites us to reexamine traditional teachings on hell and divine justice that have often instilled fear, shame, and self-rejection. For many, these doctrines created terror of eternal damnation for simply embracing their true selves. Through a scholarly exploration of scripture and history, this breakout offers a more expansive vision of God’s love—one rooted in mercy, dignity, and belonging. Participants will encounter a theology that heals rather than harms, moving from fear to freedom and from theological trauma to deeper trust in a God whose justice restores rather than condemns.
Rev. Danny Cortez (he/him)
Danny Cortez (he/him) began his ministry as an evangelist, passionate about winning the world for Christ. Ordained in 1993 as a Southern Baptist pastor, he devoted himself to defending the historic Christian faith. Over time, his study of Scripture—and the realization of how theology had harmed LGBTQ people—led him to re-examine long-held beliefs. Today, Danny serves as a pastor at Long Beach Christian Fellowship and as the Director of Estuary Space, helping faith communities move towards LGBTQ inclusion. He continues to search the Scriptures with humility and hope, believing they were never meant to cause harm but to bring life and liberation.
The Art of Becoming: LGBTQ+ Identities and Coming Out
TRACKS: Coming Out: Guidance & Experience
Coming out is inherently vulnerable and ongoing—it is a dynamic, layered, and relational process that unfolds over time. This workshop offers a compassionate space for those who want to deepen their understanding of the complexities of LGBTQ+ identities. Identity arises from a sacred inner place—this journey is not about proving ourselves to others, but about embracing our own authenticity with honesty, presence, and truth. We will nuance how we understand, name and describe identity through language, recognize felt sense in our bodies, and [re]discover through experiences. Participation will include a combination of presentation, self reflection, and discussion.
Carrie N. (they/she)
Carrie (they/she) is dedicated to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion through creative process-work, reflective practice and learning-centered approaches. As a genderqueer and aromantic person, Carrie brings both lived experience and academic depth to their work, holding several master’s degrees in human sciences and creative practice. Carrie partners with individuals and organizations to cultivate environments where all voices are honored, and meaningful dialogue can thrive. Their work centers on embedding EDI practices that are not only strategic but deeply humane—creating spaces that support belonging and transformative growth. Carrie helps people navigate complex dynamics, challenge assumptions, and recognize authenticity, empathy, and resilience.
Eric M. Hovis (he/him)
Eric (he/him), LMHC, LPC, is a LGBTQ-affirming trauma therapist in private practice in New York City, with 16 years of experience specializing in anxiety, religious trauma, and identity integration. As a gay man with a faith background, Eric brings both clinical expertise and lived empathy to his work with LGBTQ+ adults navigating the long-term impact of harmful theology. He integrates EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and experiential approaches to help clients reclaim joy, safety, and inner authority. Eric is passionate about supporting people in their healing journeys as they reconnect with their full selves—body, spirit, and story.
Wounded Soul: Conversion Therapy + Moral Injury
TRACKS: UNCHANGED Movement
CONTENT WARNING: Abuse, Self-harm and/or suicide, Homophobia and/or Transphobia
Moral injury has been described as “a betrayal of what is right,” specifically by a person or an institution holding legitimate authority in a high-stakes situation. Conversion therapy practices are politically charged efforts that seek to change a person’s sexual orientation, which are also known as “ex-gay” movements or “reparative therapy.” This breakout session will share information about both the concepts of moral injury and the practices of conversion therapy in detail. Real-life examples from survivors will be examined and discussed as an opportunity to apply these concepts. What is Moral Injury, and how is it different from or similar to what is generally understood as “trauma”? What are the “red flags” that we can be aware of in Christian spaces that give warning to the sometimes-hidden truth of their ex-gay ideology? In addition to addressing these questions, this session will illustrate the potential empowering benefits of utilizing moral injury language to describe and discuss the experiences of survivors of conversion therapy practices and ideology.
Rev. August Laperche (they/them)
August Laperche (they/them) is a queer and trans clergyperson who lives and works in the Bay Area. August attended Liberty University for undergrad from 2014-2017. After a winding theological journey to become affirming, the loss of many relationships, and starting therapy with a licensed queer and trans clinician, August began their coming out journey in 2019. They earned their Master of Theology from Phillips Theological Seminary in 2021. Their studies concentrated on LGBTQ+ affirming theology + ministry.
When Paths Converge: A Family’s Story of Hope
TRACKS: Parents, Families, & Allies
Online
What happens when a mother raised in conservative Christianity and her son raised in the same tradition each discover they must step away from unaffirming theology on separate paths, at different times? In this candid and hope-filled conversation, Karen and her son Dan share the struggles, surprises, and breakthroughs of their distinct journeys—hers from ex-gay-era church leader to affirming advocate, his from evangelical youth leader to coming out as gay. With honesty, humor, and love, they trace how cracks in the foundation led to hard questions, how “coming out” changed their lives, and how they found hope worth holding onto.
Karen Reaume (she/her)
Karen Reaume (she/her) is a mother of four and spiritual mother to many, including LGBTQ+ individuals. With decades of ministry experience across Catholic, Mainline, and Evangelical settings, she has served as a youth pastor, teacher, program director, and co-founder of ministries promoting ecumenical cooperation. She holds a Master of Divinity from Ashland Theological Seminary and is completing a Doctor of Ministry on neuroscience and spiritual formation. Karen’s journey from unexamined theology to full affirmation was shaped by prayer, study, and the witness of LGBTQ+ Christians. She now advocates for inclusion through the QCF and local support groups.
Daniel Reaume (he/him)
Daniel Reaume (he/him) was born in Alaska and raised in Southeast Michigan. Active in ministry since 2011, he has served in congregational and parachurch roles, ecumenical organizing, church planting, and faith-based advocacy. After coming out as gay in 2020, Daniel left his long-time church and now serves as Associate Pastor at Blue Ocean Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He holds a Master of Divinity from Ashland Theological Seminary, where he researched faith disaffiliation among Gen-Z and Millennial Evangelicals. Daniel is passionate about inclusive faith communities and enjoys reading, writing, piano, hiking, and time with friends and family.
Block C
FRIDAY, 4:15PM PST
Queerness in Scripture: How the Ethiopian Eunuch Changes Everything
TRACKS: Theology & Scripture: Faith, Gender Identity, & Sexuality
CONTENT WARNING: Sexual Assault, Abuse, Sexism and misogyny, Homophobia and/or Transphobia
The first conversion story in the New Testament is a queer person. The Ethiopian Eunuch described in Acts 8 is queer. Rather than repenting of their queerness, they leave the encounter rejoicing. Examining what it meant to be a eunuch in the first century sends a clear message to modern Christians about the priority of people in the margins, the beauty of queer lives, and calls for an appropriate view of gender that challenges male-supremist culture.
Andy Wells (he/him)
Andy Wells has been active in Q Christian since 2021. He is a community group leader and has led affinity groups at our conference. Andy is the author of “Tried to Be Straight – Options for Gay Christians,” a book written to conservative LGBTQ Christians looking for a way to reconcile their faith and orientations. His second book, scheduled to publish in 2026, will focus on Bible studies that celebrate queer affirming messages in Scripture. He has a Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics from Biola University.
Jon Carl Lewis (he/him)
Jon Carl Lewis (he/him) is a liberative theologian and spiritual guide helping queer and progressive Christians discern healthy sexual/relational practices and attitudes to live out gospel-shaped lives. A candidate for the Master of Arts in Public Ministry at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, he brings theological and spiritual curiosity—as well as a geeky love of peer-reviewed science and a bit of voyeurism around the beautiful diversity, complexity, and fluidity of real people’s lived sexual/spiritual experiences—to explore healthy, justice-oriented, Jesus-centered and joyful ethical stances around sexuality, relating, and the body. Jon Carl lives with his husband in Trenton, NJ.
Anchored in Hope and Liberation: Reclaiming and Expanding Our Understanding of Prayer
TRACKS: Spiritual Practices & Formation
Being queer doesn’t have a formula… does prayer? We will spend time sharing what prayer has meant to us in the past -both good and bad- and exploring what it could mean for us now and in the future. Some questions we will consider: What is prayer? Is all prayer dialogue? Can prayer be action? Is all prayer anchored in hope? If we have been harmed by others’ prayers, how can we reclaim prayer as our own without shame or expectation? This session is a mix of lecture, guided practice, and community participation.
Brigitte Piskura (she/her)
Brigitte Piskura (she/her) is the face behind Bithiah Soulcare, a ministry for those who seek to be present to themselves, God, and others safely and authentically. She has ten+ years of experience in church and para-church ministry and will be certified as a Spiritual Director in June. Brigitte is passionate about the intersection of faith and identity and equipping her fellow LGBTQIA+ siblings to flourish spiritually. She is the queer half in a mixed-orientation marriage, a mom, stepmom, and dogmom. Brigitte invests in QCF as a Community Group leader, Conference Prayer Team leader, and panelist for breakout sessions.
Sex & Patriarchy: Deconstructing Patriarchy in Queer Relationships
TRACKS: The Body & Sexual Ethics
CONTENT WARNING: Sexism and misogyny
Love and romance post purity culture can appear liberating without the pressure of traditional gender roles. But without critical thought on power in romance, heterosexual and queer relationships alike risk falling back into patriarchal systems. In this presentation, Ashley unpacks how the toxicity of patriarchy can still be present in queer romance. She examines the story of Eve, power dynamics in romance, male fragility, and the myth of baggage. Ashley also offers up the gift of mutuality and feminist theology as resources for growth in pursuing healthy relationships.
Ashley Lynn Hengst (she/her/ella)
Ashley Hengst is a Cuban American passionate about helping ex-evangelicals unlearn the toxic aspects of the Christian faith. Ashley is the host of “The Unlearning Podcast” where she helps listeners unpack Scripture and the Christian life through the lens of liberation theologies. Ashley is a graduate of North Carolina Central University, the Academy of Art, and Claremont School of Theology. When she’s not working on her podcast or officiating weddings and funerals, Ashley enjoys time with her wife, Jen and their daughter.
Sacred Stories: Co-creating Our Holy Futures
TRACKS: Spiritual Practices & Formation
CONTENT WARNING: The public sharing of people's individual stories may have language and themes that are upsetting to others. I cannot guarantee what might arise. Attendees should be aware of this and plan to take care of themselves if and when needed.
Storytelling is healing and often looks backward to feel a liberated in the "now." This session will instead do the work of resisting the tides of hatred which profess that LGBTQ+ people should have "no future" in the Church or the world by looking forward. In this session, we will use the gift of our imaginations to catch a glimpse of the intentions
Jae Bates (he/him)
Jae is a queer, trans Korean Adoptee who is a pastor by training, evangelist by calling, scholar by necessity, and storyteller by nature. His academic work sits at the intersection of narrative studies and trauma spiritual-care. Jae is rooted in the liberating work of Jesus Christ and God's vision of flourishing life for all.
Every Brain Belongs: Designing Neurodivergent-Affirming Worship
TRACKS: Equity, Allyship, & Intersectionality: Racial, Theological, & Relational
Online
Many worship services unintentionally leave neurodivergent folks feeling disconnected - not because God isn’t present, but because the space isn’t built with our brains in mind. For LGBTQ+ Christians with ADHD and other neurodivergences, worship can feel more like endurance than sanctuary. This interactive session invites pastors, worship leaders, and community members to reimagine worship through a neurodivergent-affirming lens. Drawing on nearly 20 years of experience in adult education, facilitation, and church consulting, I’ll share practical strategies and real-world examples of congregations that became more vibrant when accessibility was prioritized, so every mind can meet God without shame, exhaustion, or exclusion.
Erin Mieskowski (she/they)
Erin Mieskowski (she/her) is a worship leader, certified ADHD coach, and experienced facilitator with nearly 20 years of experience creating spaces where people can show up as their whole selves. With a background in higher education, DEI strategy, and church consulting, she helps communities navigate hard conversations and design worship that welcomes all brains and bodies. Through her faithxADHD platform, she equips neurodivergent Christians to connect with God without shame or performance pressure. Known for her humor, compassion, and direct approach, Erin blends expertise and lived experience - whether facilitating tough dialogues, preaching, or blowing bubbles in the park.
Block D
Saturday, 1:00 PM PST
Becoming the Beloved Disciple: Lavender Lectio Divina
TRACKS: Theology & Scripture: Faith, Gender Identity, & Sexuality
The Fourth Gospel features two nameless characters—the mother of Jesus and the beloved disciple—whose namelessness gives us an opportunity to place ourselves within the story and to encounter Jesus ourselves. Drawing on the ancient spiritual practice of lectio divina (in which we trust that the Bible not only spoke to an original audience, but speaks to us here and now through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit), we will explore several key encounters with Jesus in the Gospel of John and discover how they might speak to LGBTQ+ followers of Jesus today.
Grant Hartley (he/him)
Grant Hartley is a speaker and freelance writer living near St.Louis, MO. Nourished by the Catholic tradition, he writes on faith, sexuality, culture, and longing regularly on his Substack (thegranthartley.substack.com) and for A Side B Collective (asidebcollective@substack.com),was a cohost for the Life on Side B Podcast (which facilitated conversations among Christian sexual and gender minorities), and has spoken at conferences such as Outreach, Revoice, and Q Christian Fellowship.He is especially passionate about mysticism, inculturation, ecumenism, interfaith dialogue, and the Bible.
Your voice is power: speaking against anti-LGBTQ+ views
TRACKS: Building Healthy Relationships, Dialogue, & Managing Conflict
CONTENT WARNING: Abuse, Self-harm and/or suicide, Sexual Assault, Homophobia and/or Transphobia, Profanity, Violence, Racism or racial slurs, For the above, homophobia/transphobia will be discussed in more detail, while the others will be mentioned in the abstract, but will not be described in depth nor be the focus of conversation. But they are likely to get mentions, so I checked their boxes.
Your voice, whether written, signed, spoken, or presented through art, has the power to spread love and a message of inclusion. Celeste Irwin and Billie Hoard are transgender, lesbian women who’ve pushed back on anti-LGBTQIA+ narratives (and more!) via essays, podcasts, and social media. Billie and Celeste will share what they’ve learned about knowing when to speak up, choosing a tone, the importance of community, and mistakes they’ve made. They’ll also discuss how, even without a large platform, every person’s unique voice is a gift. This talk will be relevant to LGBTQIA+ attendees and allies, and questions will be encouraged.
Celeste Irwin (she/her)
Celeste Irwin (she/her) is a polyamorous transgender lesbian woman, married with two teenagers. She’s a survivor of a cultish evangelical church network, which she escaped after enduring spiritual, psychological, and emotional abuse. She’s since deconstructed her anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs, which enabled her to come out as transgender. During that process, she began writing online, first about spiritual abuse, then about transgender people, issues affecting them, and her faith. This has included long-form essays exposing the false and cruel narratives about LGBTQIA+ people spread by prominent evangelicals. She’s proud of her journey and aims to promote liberation for all LGBTQIA+ people.
Billie Hoard (she/her)
Billie Hoard is a trans woman, a high school history teacher, an author, and something of an Anabaptist radical. A consummate generalist, she holds an M A in liberal arts from St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, and she writes on topics ranging from fairy tales and C. S. Lewis to theology and philosophy. She and her brother, Paul Hoard, are the authors of "Eucontamination: Disgust Theology and the Christian Life.”
Erotic Theology: A Spirituality of Pleasure
TRACKS: Theology & Scripture: Faith, Gender Identity, & Sexuality
CONTENT WARNING: Sexism and misogyny, frank sexual discussion
Even with an “LGBTQ+ affirming” position, shame around sex and desire abounds. What if Queer Christians led the Church in reclaiming the joy of incarnated bodies? Our bodies are made for survival, but also pleasure. This breakout session will encourage celebrating our embodied expressions of love through exploring Biblical erotic literature (Song of Songs), the goodness of Creation, and sex as a spiritual formation practice. Various ethical positions will be supported under an umbrella of sex positivity. Given the frank nature of the session, only adult participants are encouraged to attend.
Rev. Erica Lea-Simka (she/they)
Rev. Erica Lea-Simka is a pastor, peacebuilder, parent, partner, perseverer, and plant-based nut. She has served Mennonite and Baptist congregations, and currently works for a local ecumenical nonprofit bringing Catholics and Protestants together. Pastor Erica makes their home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with their interfaith family.
From Conversion Therapy to Anchored Authenticity: A Dropout's Journey
TRACKS: Coming Out: Guidance & Experience
CONTENT WARNING: Self-harm and/or suicide, Homophobia and/or Transphobia, Abuse
Conversion therapy promises "freedom" but leaves a trail of trauma, shame, and broken faith. In this session, Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez shares his eight-year journey through the “ex-gay” movement and how he eventually embraced his whole, queer self. He will explore the profound impact of religious trauma, the process of deconstructing harmful theologies, and the unexpected ways God's love appears in the most unlikely of places. This session aims to offer hope to survivors, equip attendees with tools for spiritual resilience, and inspire radical authenticity as an anchor for the soul.
Tim Schraeder Rodriguez (he/him)
Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez spent almost a decade in gay conversion therapy and worked behind-the-scenes at some of evangelical Christianity's most influential megachurches―Hillsong Church, Elevation Church, Willow Creek. After embracing his identity as a gay Christian and stepping away from church work, he co-founded Church Clarity. Born in the Midwest, he now calls New York City home, where he continues his work as a writer, digital strategist, and advocate for queer people of faith. His first book, Conversion Therapy Dropout: A Queer Story of Faith and Belonging, releases May 5, 2026.
Rooted and Renewing: Regnerative Organizing for Justice and Belonging
TRACKS: Equity, Allyship, & Intersectionality: Racial, Theological, & Relational
What would it mean to grow our movements the way nature heals? Rooted, adaptive, and always renewing? This interactive session introduces regenerative organizing, a practice grounded in collective storytelling, vision, and resilience. Together, we'll explore how LGTBQ+ Christians and allies can build movements that nourish justice, affirm embodied diversity, and remain whole even in seasons of struggle. Expect hands-on frameworks and plenty of space for courageous discussion and brainstorming for hope, healing, and action, equipping us to nurture lasting transformation in all our communities.
Dr. Matthew White (he/him)
Dr. Matthew White is facilitator, author, and organizer committed to advancing social and individual liberation and creating equitable communities. With over 15 years of experience in the labor movement, Matthew has served in various capacities, including as a union organizer, representative, and educator. His commitment to uplifting marginalized voices is evident in his work with organizations such as AFSCME, the Poor People's Campaign, and California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, as well as his role as Executive Director of the UDW Resource Center, where he championed the needs of care workers and their families. Currently, Matthew leads education and leadership development efforts with SEIU Local 1000, where he continues to empower members and enhance their skills for effective advocacy. He is also completing his Doctorate in Ministry at the Pacific School of Religion, exploring the intersections of faith, activism, and community well-being. Matthew has studied Arts Administration at the Savannah College of Art and Design and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Music from the University of La Verne. An author of the children's book "The Owl Who Didn't Who," Matthew believes in the power of storytelling to inspire empathy and understanding across generations. His approach to leadership is deeply rooted in kindness and the principle of "going gently," reflecting his belief that true empowerment comes from compassion and respect for individuals’ journeys.
Theology of Imagination: Rooted in Reimagined Kinship
TRACKS: Spiritual Practices & Formation
CONTENT WARNING: Homophobia and/or Transphobia, Family trauma/rejection
Many of us drew a family tree at some point in our childhoods. As adults, we’ve learned that family is often chosen, not given. In this breakout session, we’ll use collage art to create new family trees that reflect our chosen family, queer ancestry, and spiritual kinship. Drawing from the communities, saints, activists, and loved ones who shape us, we’ll honor the sacred queer tradition of reimagining faith, love, church, and family. This space invites us to celebrate the roots of love in our lives—wherever and however they’ve grown.
Kiry Poiema (they/them)
Kiry Poiema (they/them) is an artist, theologian, and passionate advocate for inclusive faith spaces where overlooked identities are celebrated and authentically expressed. With a background in theology, art, and pastoral care, Kiry integrates creative practices with theological reflection to explore new ways of connecting with God and each other. They create spaces where people can reflect, share their stories, and reimagine faith. Kiry believes in the transformative power of storytelling and art to restore hope, build relationships, and help communities envision what God might be making new. They hold that each person’s journey offers a vital and beautiful contribution to the body of Christ.
African Queerness and Intersectionality
TRACKS: Equity, Allyship, & Intersectionality: Racial, Theological, & Relational
CONTENT WARNING: Homophobia and/or Transphobia
Online
Join Olive Okoro and a Queer Motherland Mental Health & Immigrant Advocacy Lead, Zewd Azeb for an engaging session exploring African queerness through the lens of intersectionality, colonial history, and faith. This breakout will unpack how colonialism shaped perceptions of gender and sexuality across the continent, and how Queer Motherland is reclaiming space through education, storytelling, and community-building. Participants will gain insight into the lived experiences of queer Africans, the systemic barriers they face, and the movement to restore cultural memory and belonging. Come ready to learn, reflect, and connect across identities, geographies, and generations.
Olive Okoro (she/they)
Olive Okoro (she/they) is the founder of Queer Motherland. Olive is lesbian Nigerian immigrant currently living in Texas. She is a human rights and financial literacy influencer, has a BA and MS in Economics with a minor in sociology and focuses on socioeconomic issues that affect marginalized groups. She is passionate about public speaking, education, advocacy, and building community for queer Africans across the diaspora.
Zewd Azeb (they/he)
Zewd Azeb (they/he) is the Mental Health & Immigrant advocate for Queer Motherland. Zewd is a transmasc Ethiopian living in Texas. They are a licensed professional counseling associate who graduated with a B.S. in psychology, sociology and chemistry and an M.A. in counseling specializing in clinical mental health. They are passionate about creating trauma informed accessible mental health spaces and resources that center healing justice for queer Africans. Zewd also works on advocating for queer Africans who are impacted by displacement or need to relocate to a safer environment where they get to be their most authentic selves.
Block E
SATURDAY, 2:45 PM PST
The Spaciousness of God: How Being LGBTQ+ Deepens Faith
TRACKS: Spiritual Practices & Formation
Many of us were taught that following God meant walking a narrow path with little room for questions, difference, or mystery. But life as an LGBTQ+ person often blows that narrow path wide open, revealing a God whose love is more spacious, generous, and uncontainable than we imagined. In this workshop we will explore how our LGBTQ+ identities can become a doorway into a deeper faith, one that trusts the Divine voice within, sees the beauty in difference, and offers compassion that springs from lived experience. Through storytelling, reflection, and guided spiritual practice, we will celebrate the ways being LGBTQ+ can expand our view of God, deepen our love for others, and help us live fully into the truth that God’s heart has room for us all.
Candice Czubernat (she/her)
Candice Czubernat has been a therapist for over 20 years and is the founder of The Christian Closet, an LGBTQ+ affirming counseling and coaching practice, as well as the nonprofit Affirming Therapy. She and her team of LGBTQ+-identified clinicians provide online telehealth services to queer individuals worldwide, helping them navigate the intersection of their queer identity and Christian faith. Candice holds degrees from The Moody Bible Institute and The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. She identifies as both a lesbian and a Christian. She lives in a small mountain town in Southern California with her wife, Crystal, and their 11-year old twins, Deacon and Dylan. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her wife, cheering on her kids at their sports games, or cuddling with their dog, Charlie Bonz.
Faith in Recovery -- Developing a Healthy Holistic Spirituality
TRACKS: Spiritual Practices & Formation
Were you taught that following Jesus meant cutting off a part of yourself? Whether it was your feelings, body, or critical thinking the scars of this type of Christianity led to traumatic wounds. This session explores the what it would mean to practice a holistic faith that honors and respects the many parts of what makes us human--body, mind, and spirit. After a physical injury, we stretch and strengthen in rehabilitative therapy to recover, our spiritual lives also need exercises not only to help us get on our feet but to also prevent additional injuries. This breakout discusses the most common means of spirituality injury and also empowering practices to have the abundant life Jesus promises.
SueAnn Shiah (she/her)
SueAnn Shiah (@sueannshiah, www.sueannshiah.com) is a Taiwanese American musician, filmmaker, community organizer, ethnomusicologist, Queer Christian pastor and public theologian. Her 2016 documentary HuanDao follows her journey along a two week bike trip around Taiwan. She released her album of reclaimed hymns, “Liturgy for the Perseverance of the Saints” in 2018. In addition to her own creative and theological works, she collaborates with others in a variety of capacities as a producer, writer, creator of liturgy, and is a member of the leadership team and editorial board of Taiwan’s New Bloom Magazine. She has a BBA in Music Business, Chinese from Belmont University, a MA in Musicology from National Taiwan University, and is currently pursuing a MDIV/MACEF from Princeton Theological Seminary and ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Queer liberation does not mean we give up traditions or rituals—it’s a pathway to reclaiming them for use in the streets, in our sanctuaries, and everywhere else the Spirit leads. In this workshop, we will queer our understanding of worship to forge expansive, uncharted ways to weave justice into our traditions and rituals for the sake of abundant life for all. This is a great space for layfolk, clergy, artists and worshippers of all kinds to share and learn from one another. All are welcome!
Queering Liturgy & Worship Arts
TRACKS: Theology & Scripture: Faith, Gender Identity, and Sexuality
Rev. Abby Holcombe (she/her)
Abby (she/her) was born and raised near Birmingham, Alabama where she fell in love with southern food and the outdoors. You can usually catch Abby on a walk, FaceTiming her nieces and nephew, or exploring the Chicagoland area with her partner Kristina. Abby received her Master of Divinity degree from Garrett Seminary in Evanston where she deepened her commitment to expansive understandings of God and all of creation. She has discerned her call to be part of God's healing work in the Church and world by building bridges of reconciliation. Abby serves as a site pastor Urban Village Church.
Rev. Kristina Sinks (she/her)
Rev. Kristina Sinks is a 2022 graduate of Garrett Seminary with a focus on Ecological Regeneration and Worship Arts. She is an Ordained Deacon in the UMC (California-Nevada), writing & publishing eco-justice worship materials, advocating for peace in Palestine, immigration justice, and full inclusion of LGBTIA+ folx in the church. Kristina sings and manages tours for the music collective The Many, which brings justice-oriented music to progressive Christians and spiritual communities around the world. She serves at GreenFaith, a global, multi-faith climate justice organization. Kristina resides in the Chicago area on the traditional, unceded homelands of the Council of Three Fires—the Ojibwa, Ottawa and Potawatomi—with her fiancée, Rev. Abby Holcombe, and beloved puppy Habibi.
Reclaiming Romans by Reading it Backwards
TRACKS: Theology & Scripture: Faith, Gender Identity, & Sexuality
CONTENT WARNING: Sexism and misogyny, Homophobia and/or Transphobia
Utilizing Scot McKnight’s book Reading Romans Backwards, we will study the epistle of Romans as a whole, in its literary and cultural context. Along the way, we will discover that, rather than being a difficult text to deal with and overcome, the message of Romans delivers enthusiastically good news for all believers, including those of us in the queer community. When studied in context, rather than serving as a condemnation of LGBTQIA+ folks and their allies, Romans 1 emerges as a literary device that serves the greater purpose of the letter – to call believers to peace and love.
Amanda Pence (she/her)
Amanda Pence is a Biblical Scholar and LGBTQIA+ Advocate. She holds an M.A. Bible Exposition from Biola University Talbot School of Theology. Her specialty is exegetical and hermeneutical methodology, and she advocates for full queer affirmation in evangelical spaces. At the 2025 QCF conference, Amanda taught a breakout entitled Adam & Adam: God’s Design for Humanity. Amanda is also published in an academic journal: her essay, “Vindicating Bathsheba,” was a winner of CBE International’s student paper competition. She presented it at the CBE annual conference, and it was published in the Autumn 2022 Priscilla Papers. Learn more at AmandaPence.com.
Going Nowhere: Peace as a Path of Resistance
TRACKS: UNCHANGED Movement, Podcast Stage
Cynthia and Laura Beth will engage in a summary conversation about the years worth of episodes talking about the power of inner peace in a culture of chaos. We will also be taking live questions and comments from the Q community.
Cynthia Vacca-Davis (she/her)
Cynthia Vacca-Davis a Journalism professor with a trunk full of ungraded papers and snack wrappers. If you come by her house, expect dogs at the door, wine on the table, and medium roast in her Industrial Bunn coffee maker. She love cameras, New Orleans, and overusing the word “community” because you can never have too much of that. Cynthia has published many volumes, including “Intersexion: A Story or Faith, Identity, and Authenticity”
Rev. Laura Beth Buchleiter (she/her)
Rev. Laura Beth Buchleiter has been in Christian ministry for over 35 years in contexts ranging from the Christian Music industry to Church Planting and, more recently advocacy for the queer community in faith spaces. LB practices spiritual direction and teaching various courses with LeaderWise, including boundaries and ethics. She is currently in the process of building the Coalition for Peace and Restoration, a community based in Indianapolis, IN focused on creating spaces to heal from spiritual trauma.
A God Beyond All Binaries
TRACKS: Theology & Scripture: Faith, Gender Identity, & Sexuality
Online
What if God is expansive enough to encompass and disrupt not just the gender binary, but all the categories we take for granted? In this workshop, we will explore how the Bible’s language, imagery, and metaphors paint a picture of a boundary-breaking Divine presence that defies limitations, and embraces fluidity. Whether in fire and cloud, mother and father, Alpha and Omega, or the limitless “I Am,” this session invites us to understand the Divine not as confined within human categories but as the ultimate embodiment of love, justice, and transformation. Drawing on concepts from Steff’s book Gender Expansive Faith, we will reimagine holiness beyond binaries, where to encounter God is to embrace a love that transcends the constraints of human labels. Let us step into a sacred vision of Divine expansiveness.
Steff Fenton (they/them)
Hello, I’m Steff (they/them), a trans Christian speaker, writer educator, and advocate who empowers people to celebrate the intersections of being trans, queer, and Christian. I'm the author of Gender Expansive Faith: How Trans Lives Are Illuminating the Divine, Transforming Feminism & Ending Christian Patriarchy. Having been the co-founder and co-pastor of an independent church in Sydney and a chaplain in the Uniting Church of Australia, I’m now described as a Freelance Pastor who works alongside people from Christian backgrounds. After ten years of advocacy within the Anglican Church, I moved into leadership with Equal Voices, an Australian movement of LGBTIQA+ Christians and allies. These days I enjoy facilitating empathetic trainings, workshops, keynotes, and group sessions with people who want to cultivate an equitable and expansive faith. I’m passionate about facilitating safe spiritual spaces for LGBTIQA+ people and promoting healing for those who have experienced religious trauma. I’m also a wedding celebrant, a beach enthusiast, and a social field hockey player.
They Came for Us: Why Welcoming Must Become Warrior Work
TRACKS: Equity, Allyship, & Intersectionality: Racial, Theological, & Relational
CONTENT WARNING: Homophobia and/or Transphobia, Sexism and misogyny
Online
For decades, churches have proclaimed “all are welcome,” yet many LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, disabled, and immigrant people still face exclusion and danger. This session invites participants to move from hospitality to resistance, from statements to strategy, through a justice-centered congregational model grounded in through a justice-centered congregational model grounded in transversal theology, a trans-centered, pluralist approach. Drawing from Indigenous practices of reciprocity, communal care, and pluralism, Rev. Dr. Kimi Floyd Reisch will guide congregations in becoming sanctuaries of survival and organizing through truth-telling, safety planning, and courageous spiritual practice. Participants will learn to anchor hope in collective liberation and embody faith that protects, shelters, and defends the most vulnerable.
Rev. Dr. Kimi Floyd Reisch (they/them)
Rev. Dr. Kimi Floyd Reisch (they/them) is a two-spirit, mixed-race minister, public theologian, and justice educator. They serve as the LGBTQ and Multicultural Events Coordinator for the Unitarian Universalist Association and are the creator of Transversal Theology, a framework rooted in Indigenous wisdom, trans embodiment, and decolonial faith. Ordained through The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries, Kimi Floyd has over twenty years of experience in LGBTQ+ advocacy, congregational transformation, and faith-based organizing. Their work centers sacred belonging, pluralism, and the healing of communities from religious trauma through collective liberation and courageous love.
Other Sessions
Various Dates & Times
First Timer Gatherings
Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 6:00pm
Friday, January 23, 2026 | 8:00am
In-Person & Online
*Please note that this session will only be streamed at one of the available times above. Which time is TBD.
The First Timer Gathering is a space where those who are coming to the QCF Conference for the first time can learn more about what to expect, learn some key terms, and meet other first time conference attendees. This gathering is optional for first timers but it is highly encouraged!
Benino Regino (he/him)
Benino Regino grew up in the Pentecostal/Charismatic church graduating with a missions degree from a conservative religious school and meanwhile was grappling with being gay. After three and a half years of conversion therapy, he accepted himself and came out publicly 9 years ago. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his Husband of Lewie for 7 years and appreciates the Ministry of QCF! Finding those with a similar upbringing, who are on a journey of discovering they are loved by God and full affirmed in their Queer identity. He leads the First Timer Attendees session for the conference and loves hearing the stories and testimonies of those who bravely step out and begin deconstructing. He's worked for Target Corp for 8 years where he currently works in Finance.
Trigger Warning: How to navigate the QCF conference as a traumatized Christian
Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 6:00pm
Friday, January 23, 2026 | 8:00am
In-Person & Online
This breakout provides an opportunity to address how aspects of coming together, even (and sometimes especially) in Christian community can be activating or triggering for conference participants, volunteers, and staff. This breakout will hold space to name this reality, share our observations, and discuss tools that may be useful for self-regulation, as well as to remind the community that mental health professionals are available for check-ins throughout the weekend.
*Please note that this session will only be streamed at one of the available times above. Which time is TBD.
The Christian Closet Team
The Christian Closet is an online counseling organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQI+ individuals who seek to integrate their sexual and gender identities with their Christian faith. Founded by Candice Czubernat (she/her), The Christian Closet provides a compassionate, affirming space where clients can explore identity, faith, and healing. Together, this team bring years of experience in mental health and spiritual care, offering a holistic approach to well-being tailored to the unique needs of LGBTQI+ Christians.