God vs. Gay?: The Religious Case for Equality (Queer Action/Queer Ideas)
“The first part’s  insistence that Judeo-Christian values require gay equality is so confidently  and cogently asserted that it amounts to something new and invigorating in gay  religious apologetics.”—Booklist“God vs. Gayis an excellent resource for those struggling to  reconcile their sexual feelings — or those of a loved one — with being a person  of devout religious faith. Michaelson never panders, attempts to set aside all  biases and simply lets the text speak for itself. What happens when he clears  the smoke of punditry and bigotry is a beautiful thing, and the discussion over  equality and human diversity is elevated because of Michaelson’s willingness to  have faith in the words of the Torah — and in human dignity.”—NewVoices.org“Mixing memoir and academic analysis in this  well-researched and concisely written treatise, Michaelson embarks on a mission  to reconcile sexuality with Judeo-Christian religious traditions… Inclusive and  modern theology that will give both Jewish and Christian readers a reason to  celebrate sexual diversity.”—Kirkus Reviews“This  title is very much worth reading and particularly useful for those interested in  religion, civil rights, and social progress.”—Library Journal “God  vs. Gayis a game-changer and highly recommended in the debate…Michaelson has  packed so much into his slim volume. A pleasurable and intelligent read, this is  a book for our times and a book for the ages.”—EDGE“As a salvo in the  case for equality, however, it shows how to reframe the debate and stop seeing a  chasm between God and gay.”—Publisher's Weekly"Michaelson looks at  the Hebrew and Christian Bible with keen intellect, wit, and often surprising  insights. He roots his arguments not in dry exegesis but in hard-won  self-acceptance and passionate concern for others. I highly recommendedGod vs. Gay?for anyone seeking to  understand how being homosexual and religious are not  antithetical."—Joe  Perez, author ofSoulfully  Gay"'The  irony of God versus Gay is that actually Gay and God go together.  Opening to  one leads to the other.'  So writes Jay Michaelson in the postscript to this  beautiful, soulful book.  Michaelson charts a journey from rejection to full  acceptance, from religious alienation to spiritual wholeness that will brings  the reader closer to the Divine. It did for me and it will for anyone who has  felt abandoned by their faith and rejected for who they are. This is a healing  book that yearns to be read."—Sharon  Groves, Director, Religion and Faith Program, Human Rights Campaign  Foundation“God vs. Gay?is a timely and important  book in this religious and political moment. Michaelson’s book prepares us,  regardless of religious or sexual identity, to delve deeper into our souls, our  traditions, and into the truth that religion is in fact a source of  liberation.”—Rabbi  Sharon Kleinbaum, Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, the largest  gay and lesbian synagogue in the world “Through  careful discussions of Jewish and Christian teachings on homosexuality  Michaelson masterfully reveals that both religions allow for the full embrace of  LGBT persons. This religious-ethical work is illuminating and a must read for  anyone who wants to understand the current debate over religion and  homosexuality.”—Rabbi David  Ellenson, President Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of  Religion“Michaelson shows that ‘God versus  gay’ is a myth and that the overwhelming majority of our shared religious values  favor equality for LGBT people.” —Michael Lerner, editor ofTikkun"God vs. Gay?is essential reading for  people of all faiths who want to be allies of our gay and lesbian brothers and  sisters. This book articulates what many of us have felt in our hearts for a  long time: that our religious conscience compels us to support equality, not  oppose it."—Rabbi  Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, co-author ofJewish with FeelingandFrom Age-ing to Sage-ing, Blessings for Health, Peace  of Mind, and Prosperity