What is queer theology?

To many practicing Catholics, terms like queer theology might seem overly academic or unhelpful. Does queer theology refer to theology done by and for people who are LGBTQ+? Is it focused primarily on arguing for inclusion of queer people and perspectives in the church? Or is it something arcane and academic, along the lines of queer theory? And why should people who don’t identify as queer care what it means at all? Some might also be uncomfortable with the idea of breaking theology up into specific groups. If we’re all human relating to God, shouldn’t plain old theology be good enough for everyone? Why worry about feminist theology, ecotheology, and liberation theology, when one could just talk about God?  On the opening episode of the fifth season of Glad You Asked, hosts Emily Sanna and Rebecca Bratten Weiss discuss the topic of queer theology with guest Shannon Kearns. Kearns is an ordained priest in the Old Catholic Church and the author of In the Margins: A Transgender Man’s Journey With Scripture (Eerdmans). He also has three more books forthcoming, including No One Taught Me How To Be A Man: What A Trans Man’s Experience Reveals About Masculinity (Broadleaf Books).  Kearns has also written multiple plays, and been awarded for his playwriting and screenwriting, including first place in the ScreenCraft Pitch competition and in the New Hope Film Festival. You can read more of Shannon’s writing and check out his podcasts on his website (https://www.shannontlkearns.com/) and learn more about queer theology in the links below: “Is queer theology compatible with Catholicism?” By Caleb Murray https://uscatholic.org/articles/202312/is-queer-theology-compatible-with-catholicism/  “Toward a theology of a queer God,” By Ellyn Sanna https://uscatholic.org/articles/202312/is-queer-theology-compatible-with-catholicism/  “We were never meant to survive,” By Shannon Kearns https://www.queertheology.com/we-were-never-meant-to-survive/  “Way of the cross is way of embodiment, something queer Catholics know well,” By Maxwell Kuzma https://www.ncronline.org/spirituality/way-cross-way-embodiment-something-queer-catholics-know-well  Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, an order of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit https://claretians.org and https://myclaret.org.