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Our Lives Matter: A Womanist Queer Theology
Our Lives Matter uses the tenor of the 2014 national protests that emerged as a response to excessive police force against Black people to frame the book as following the discursive tradition of liberation theologies broadly speaking and womanist theology specifically. Using a womanist methodological approach, Pamela R. Lightsey helps readers explore the impact of oppression against Black LBTQ women while introducing them to the emergent intellectual movement known as queer theology. The author privileges their narratives and experiences as she reviews several doctrines and dogma of the Christian church. Theological reflection on contemporary debates such as same-sex marriage and ordination rights make this book a valuable resource to clergy, students of theology, LGBTQ persons and allies.
"Writing in the shadow of mass killings of unarmed black persons in the United States, Lightsey's Our Lives Matter: A Womanist Queer Theology is a timely publication. This valuable interdisciplinary resource provides a succinct overview of the doctrine of creation that is informed by a discussion on identity. Our Lives Matter challenges readers to move beyond theory and to acknowledge the full humanity of all persons and is a must-read for any who self-identifies as Christian." --Angela D. Sims, Dean of Academic Programs and Associate Professor of Ethics and Black Church Studies, Saint Paul School of Theology
Pamela R. Lightsey is an associate dean and clinical assistant professor of contextual theology and practice at Boston University School of Theology. She is also a self-identified queer lesbian ordained elder in full connection in the United Methodist Church. A national leader among LGBTQ social justice activists, Dr. Lightsey's writings have appeared in Washington Post (online), Religion Dispatches and Black Theology Journal.
"Writing in the shadow of mass killings of unarmed black persons in the United States, Lightsey's Our Lives Matter: A Womanist Queer Theology is a timely publication. This valuable interdisciplinary resource provides a succinct overview of the doctrine of creation that is informed by a discussion on identity. Our Lives Matter challenges readers to move beyond theory and to acknowledge the full humanity of all persons and is a must-read for any who self-identifies as Christian." --Angela D. Sims, Dean of Academic Programs and Associate Professor of Ethics and Black Church Studies, Saint Paul School of Theology
Pamela R. Lightsey is an associate dean and clinical assistant professor of contextual theology and practice at Boston University School of Theology. She is also a self-identified queer lesbian ordained elder in full connection in the United Methodist Church. A national leader among LGBTQ social justice activists, Dr. Lightsey's writings have appeared in Washington Post (online), Religion Dispatches and Black Theology Journal.
104 pages, Paperback
First published September 18, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 30, 2017
I believe this is the first full length text on LGBTQ persons from a womanist perspective. Lightsey clearly lays out their needs, concerns, and oppression. Using womanist methodology, she engages us in the difficult journey of LGBTQ people in our society and sadly most critically in our churches. Clearly relates their struggle to the overall struggle of blacks in the US and around the world and calls for solidarity. A much needed and welcome text.
December 26, 2018
Dr. Pamela Lightsey is the provost at Meadville Lombard Seminary in Chicago, as well as an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. She writes this brief but rich book on Womanist Queer theology as a black woman who later in life came out as lesbian. She wrote this book to give other womanist queer Christians a framework for understanding their place in the church, which often denies a full place at the table as women and as members of the LGBT community. She also takes time to explain the origins of the womanist movement and breaks down the various ways "queer" folk move thru the world and experience the world.
Her theology is basically rooted in Creation and the belief that all human beings are created in the image of God. For that she draws conclusions and implications of that doctrine for queer as well as straight folks. She also deals with racism in the church, as well as heteorsexism in the black church, and even the ways in which LGBT folks discriminate against each other. In other words, no one gets a pass.
As a heterosexual white male I was stretched to appreciate the way my experience and perspective in the world is deeply privileged and how many barriers to full humanity people of color, women and queer folks face on a daily basis. While the audience is primarily people of color and queer folk, heterosexuals and whites can gain much if they go into it not looking for "the Truth" but with an openness to accept that racism, sexism and hterosexism not only are real but are perpetuated by religious systems as well multiple other institutions in our society. I read this book slowly and reflectively and found it challenged me on so many levels.
In the Epilogue she shares her experience of the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, and draws some profound insights on how the oppressed and their allies must address racism in our country. While this chapter alone was worth the price of the book, each chapter is equally informative, thoughtful and compelling.
Her theology is basically rooted in Creation and the belief that all human beings are created in the image of God. For that she draws conclusions and implications of that doctrine for queer as well as straight folks. She also deals with racism in the church, as well as heteorsexism in the black church, and even the ways in which LGBT folks discriminate against each other. In other words, no one gets a pass.
As a heterosexual white male I was stretched to appreciate the way my experience and perspective in the world is deeply privileged and how many barriers to full humanity people of color, women and queer folks face on a daily basis. While the audience is primarily people of color and queer folk, heterosexuals and whites can gain much if they go into it not looking for "the Truth" but with an openness to accept that racism, sexism and hterosexism not only are real but are perpetuated by religious systems as well multiple other institutions in our society. I read this book slowly and reflectively and found it challenged me on so many levels.
In the Epilogue she shares her experience of the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, and draws some profound insights on how the oppressed and their allies must address racism in our country. While this chapter alone was worth the price of the book, each chapter is equally informative, thoughtful and compelling.
June 1, 2016
When people in feminist/womanist/LGBTQ groups write off theists, especially Christians, as dumb or superstitious, it becomes easy for a conservative backlash against those groups as atheistic heathens who should not be heeded. But when a Black queer Lesbian woman writes a book about people who are LGBTQ and Black finding hope in G*D and knowing G*D, how can that conservative backlash say those people are not seriously trying to be Christians? That's what this book is, and it is awesome! It is making an actual attempt at showing what G*D means to people who have been hated by Christians, possibly more that any other group w/ the exception of Muslims. This book is highly recommended for all people.
January 26, 2024
A great primer on theological intersections of womanism and queer theory. This is a text that church leaders and pastors desiring to be more just and equitable in areas of race, gender, and sexuality should consider reading. Both on a theological and public witness level for the common good. She ends with an imperative reminder that this work must include “continued collaboration across different contexts” - a vital reminder for the Church to extend its work (the enactment of its own professed theology) beyond its own walls.
February 19, 2024
This book opened and expanded my thinking on queer theology and was particularly helpful in reading from a womanist queer perspective. I would say that this piece of work was particularly important, especially in the current climate of the effects of BLM and the ongoing oppression of the LGBTQ+ POC community.
In this work, no one gets away with a free pass. She calls out primarily racism and homophobia in both the black and the white church, and even the discrimination within LGBTQ communities. She boldly and proudly claims that queer black bodies are sacred, holy, and deeply loved by God. In a world where Black and queer bodies have been places of abuse and oppression, Pamela Lightsey states that these bodies are good and meant for good to do good in the church, in their families, and in their society.
This book is utterly painful due to the topics of enslavement, abuse, oppression, etc and is also profoundly raw. I recommend this book if you are willing to sit with something that is quite different than what is shown and read in the Western church and may be really difficult to understand. Read this book with openness as well as a willingness to tackle some pretty big theological landmines.
Our POC LGBTQ+ siblings find a liberating hope in Jesus, just like you have. And how beautiful is that?
In this work, no one gets away with a free pass. She calls out primarily racism and homophobia in both the black and the white church, and even the discrimination within LGBTQ communities. She boldly and proudly claims that queer black bodies are sacred, holy, and deeply loved by God. In a world where Black and queer bodies have been places of abuse and oppression, Pamela Lightsey states that these bodies are good and meant for good to do good in the church, in their families, and in their society.
This book is utterly painful due to the topics of enslavement, abuse, oppression, etc and is also profoundly raw. I recommend this book if you are willing to sit with something that is quite different than what is shown and read in the Western church and may be really difficult to understand. Read this book with openness as well as a willingness to tackle some pretty big theological landmines.
Our POC LGBTQ+ siblings find a liberating hope in Jesus, just like you have. And how beautiful is that?
August 15, 2024
Poor writing (ie, incorrect grammar and sentence structure) throughout make it hard to follow at times. There were several instances when I didn’t know how to interpret the sentence. Furthermore, while the author did solid work connecting the dots between the “Black” and “womanist” parts of the title, I’m still unclear on the “theology” part. I think perhaps the book would have delivered the basic premise (which is an important one) without trying to introduce theology into it; I think I’m more confused now than I would have been.
All of this being said, I’d still recommend this book to many Americans, especially those on the Religious Right, White folks, and anti-LGBT+ Black folks. The basic point Lightsey wishes to convey is one everyone needs to hear.
All of this being said, I’d still recommend this book to many Americans, especially those on the Religious Right, White folks, and anti-LGBT+ Black folks. The basic point Lightsey wishes to convey is one everyone needs to hear.
April 9, 2018
Dr. Lightsey brought theological scholarship to the issue of sexual identity and how one images themselves in light of being one of God's created souls. Initially, one would think the book is just for queer womanists, however, I suggest it is a must-read for anyone engaging with what it means to be multilayered in a spiritual context that must challenge it's perceptions of who and what is holy.
May 8, 2023
excellent book for queer theology.. especially when explaining the stigma around homosexuality and the poc community (specially in black churches). Lightsey has opened my eyes to identity politics and how it intersect with who we are as humans in society.
February 26, 2024
I think there’s a lot of wonderful information and wisdom in this book, and I would still recommend it to anyone looking for a primer on queer womanist theology from a Christian perspective. However, this book does suffer from a lack of careful editing that occasionally made it difficult to piece together what the author was trying to say—there were lots of typos in here as well as sentences that were not well-structured. I also can’t help but wonder if the author was trying to explore more than was realistic in such a short book—parts of it felt unfocused or like they were not given enough depth.
February 27, 2022
Finding language for my lived experience and spiritual wanderings is the true gift of this book. I will return to this book over-and-over again, and continue to believe in the necessity of womanism to come to the forefront of the Church, society, and especially that LGBTQ+ community.
October 1, 2025
A groundbreaking Womanist Queer theological look at resources, theological integrity, and context in the light of the 2014 death of Michael Brown and following protests.
Accessible in tone and compelling in structure.
Accessible in tone and compelling in structure.
February 25, 2021
An important witness to the lives of Black queer women in the church & the world. We are here, we are queer, we are divine.
March 8, 2022
A must read for anyone deconstructing. So very profound and meaningful.
October 11, 2022
very powerful. i learned a lot.
February 16, 2023
A key piece in the foundation of both womanist and queer theology. This book is the application intersectionality at its finest.
June 25, 2023
Read pieces of this throughout pride month and journaled about it. Womanist theology is always a fave.
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October 18, 2024Very interesting. Great resource for queer Christians or people interested in queer womanism & theology
January 11, 2021
On my third read-through, I’m finding layers of complexity and coherence in this simple (but not easy) book that are very powerful.
Lightsey works hard to be an ally especially to Black trans women. Though I think her signal boosting and theological reflections on Creation are brilliant, I found myself cringing when I read “transgendered” or “intersected” seemingly at random, or when she implies that gender nonconformity and being trans are synonyms. I hope these rhetorical inconsistencies can be adjusted in a future reprint.
This book is a powerful reflection on the goodness of bodies in community, and as a white, gay person living in the country called Canada it was another reminder to embrace the righteousness of God by resisting the oppression of my Black neighbour.
Lightsey works hard to be an ally especially to Black trans women. Though I think her signal boosting and theological reflections on Creation are brilliant, I found myself cringing when I read “transgendered” or “intersected” seemingly at random, or when she implies that gender nonconformity and being trans are synonyms. I hope these rhetorical inconsistencies can be adjusted in a future reprint.
This book is a powerful reflection on the goodness of bodies in community, and as a white, gay person living in the country called Canada it was another reminder to embrace the righteousness of God by resisting the oppression of my Black neighbour.
April 22, 2018
Such an amazing look into how the Womanist theology is also Queer theology, there is major sectionality there. Lightsey is an amazing writing and draws in other Black and Womanist theologians that make her writing more comprehensive.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I would recommend it for anyone who interested on how to better understand Womanist Queer theology, especially with a look into Ferguson, MO from someone who actually talked with people on the ground.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I would recommend it for anyone who interested on how to better understand Womanist Queer theology, especially with a look into Ferguson, MO from someone who actually talked with people on the ground.
December 18, 2020
This is a timely book and one that is a bit academic at times. But stick with it since the message about the Christian Church, God and LGBTQ people is important and voices like Litghtsey's need to be more widely read and heard by everyone calling themselves a Christian.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews