Queer Redemption: book launch

Come along and hear about Charlie's new book, Queer Redeption: How queerness changes everything we thought we knew about Christianity.

Charlie will be in conversation with Ruth Baroness Hunt of Bethnal Green, formerly Chief Executive of Stonewall, editor of 'The Book of Queer Prophets', Christian and queer rights campaigner.

The launch will take place in the Chapel of King's College, London, with kind permission of the Dean and Chaplaincy team. The evening will start at 7pm (doors open 6:45pm).

‘Queer people are not called to become honorary heterosexuals – we are called to bring our own gifts to the church, and the church is called in turn to listen to us. We have spent far too long being apologetic – indeed, we have spent far too long doing apologetics. We have spent far too long playing with exhausted material and not nearly enough time listening to the reality of queer lives within the church.

‘It’s time for us to unashamedly, unapologetically make the call: the church needs us, it needs to listen up, and it needs to queer up.’

What might happen, asks Charlie Bell, if what we know about queer lives, loves and relationships was taken as read, rather than treated as a matter of debate? From this starting point, how might we do and think things differently in Christian life, our theology, and in the Church as an institution? Queer Redemption looks to a future when the margins truly define the centre, where queerness is truly liberative for the whole church.

‘Queer Redemption’s starting point is that we exist, and that our lives are holy, and – to coin a phrase – the church needs to get over it. We’re here, we’re queer, and we’re not going anywhere.’

Praise for Queer Redemption:

‘A clarion call to kindness. A thoughtful and well-argued piece which should be read by those with faith or without.’ Sandi Toksvig

'Every so often, a person of faith comes long to prod and provoke the rest of us to stop taking small opportunities in our faith communities to be mean and, instead, to be brave in taking large opportunities to be generous. Only with such disturbing grace can our communities become places of genuine belonging rather than venues where people are made to merely ‘fit in’. Charlie Bell is such a person. If he continues to help us all self-scrutinise as Christians, and grow in spiritual intelligence and human empathy, as he does in this book, then long may his provocation thrive!' Mark Oakley, Dean of Southwark

‘Charlie Bell’s Queer Redemption is a beautiful reminder that queerness is not just a gift for LGBTQIA people, but that queerness ultimately helps theology – including Anglican theology – to be true to its own stated aim of faith seeking reason. This is important reading for all who love the Church and who hope for its redemption.’ Patrick Cheng, priest, seminary professor, and queer theologian

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

King's College London, Strand, London, United Kingdom