What do you think?
Rate this book
Unseen: Intersecting Faith & Sexuality in the Bible Belt
Growing up gay in the Bible Belt is hard— especially when feelings are so suppressed by fear and adherence to “normal.” It took years for Meredith to recognize her identity and realize that her heart’s desires were not wretched. Like many children raised in fundamentalist communities, Meredith heard gay-bashing from the pulpit, underlined scathing Bible passages in red ink, and quelled any same-sex attraction as something unholy. Unseen is just one account, one story, one voice, amongst thousands of others who may feel silenced by a faith community unwilling to acknowledge this love as valid and pure. Throughout the book, Meredith attempts to unravel the many mysteries of her faith, navigate the hurtful backlash of rejection, and rest in the perfect peace of God’s unconditional love. Though Unseen follows a brutal process, coming out in the South and living authentically is a necessary step in advocating for Christ’s radical embrace. And so, let us hold fast, believe in God, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen— lest we be flung further away from a life lived in true abundance. These pages are for those feeling lost in the Bible Belt, for those who want to herald Christianity and still be authentic, and for parents who are searching for answers.
226 pages, Paperback
Published September 29, 2017
1 person is currently reading
26 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 27, 2018
Meredith Jade’s memoir, Unseen, shares the story of her coming out, meeting her wife, Allison, the consequential fracturing of her family, efforts at healing, and her spiritual journey through all of the highs and lows of being a gay Christian raised in the fundamentalist South. Hers is a voice from a new generation of LGBTQI+ people torn between knowing their truth and knowing God’s love is also theirs. Jade writes with a heartfelt honesty that reflects both the joy and sadness of living a life that interweaves non-heteronormativity and Christian faithfulness and values.
September 12, 2020
This beautifully written book is ultimately the story of one person's courageous journey to live as her authentic self. Is this not ALL our journey if we are only brave enough to embark on it?
This is a universal story about a child who out grows her family's expectations and asks all the Big questions: where I fit into the world? How do I to carry the best parts of my upbringing forward while still incorporating new aspects of my self and life? Why does a religion, purportedly based on Love, tear so many families apart?
"Unseen" is warm and always takes the highroad when it would have been so easy to draw lines and point fingers. Ultimately, this book is about finding love--for others and yourself. A MUST read.
This is a universal story about a child who out grows her family's expectations and asks all the Big questions: where I fit into the world? How do I to carry the best parts of my upbringing forward while still incorporating new aspects of my self and life? Why does a religion, purportedly based on Love, tear so many families apart?
"Unseen" is warm and always takes the highroad when it would have been so easy to draw lines and point fingers. Ultimately, this book is about finding love--for others and yourself. A MUST read.
January 11, 2025
The book is well written and an easy read. Though I’ve left Christianity a long time ago, I enjoyed reading about a Southern queer person who found themselves and kept their faith along the journey.
I wish there was a little more exploration of the consequences of coming out, but they felt rather glossed over in many ways. Overall, the book held my interest and I enjoyed reading it.
I wish there was a little more exploration of the consequences of coming out, but they felt rather glossed over in many ways. Overall, the book held my interest and I enjoyed reading it.
July 4, 2018
I have just read this book in a single sitting. It is wonderful.
As a queer, southern, Christian woman I can say that Jade's experience is incredibly relatable. And her grace, generous spirit, honesty, and skill weaves a story that everyone should read.
As a queer, southern, Christian woman I can say that Jade's experience is incredibly relatable. And her grace, generous spirit, honesty, and skill weaves a story that everyone should read.
December 1, 2017
This was such an amazing book. We had a book club that Meredith attended after and gave us even more of her story.
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!
December 9, 2017
I approached Unseen as a fellow writer, a Christian, a husband, and a friend of the author and her wonderful wife, Allison. Regardless of knowing Meredith Jade and having a good idea of the journey detailed in this book, my understanding changed when I read Unseen. I discovered a side of Meredith only the truthful pouring of one’s soul into writing can give.
A book beaming with heart and humor, honesty and humility, fear and shame, anger and forgiveness, Unseen tells a powerful story, a story both unique and common to the human experience. It’s Meredith’s life, unique to her and her alone, but the lessons and insight resonate in all our souls and shed light on our own battles.
It’s a story that invites you, and Rick Burgess, and Roy Moore, and Allison, and me, and even her mother to the table, as fellow Christians, as fellow human beings, all suffering, all needing a shoulder, all a little lost, to share our love of God, not use it against one another. Meredith reminds us we’re all neighbors, neighbors who deserve love and grace and support. In a time of division, most notably seen in the horrendous comments posted online, Meredith combats that negativity with different words: words of grace, forgiveness, and understanding.
Meredith’s journey is a journey of millions, all individuals with a shared pain who feel like they are wandering in the wilderness, and because she’s spoken out and shared this story, they will never be alone again. There will always be at least one who understands, one who reminds them they are loved.
Unseen has the power to move, to change, to inspire; in the right hands at the right time, this book can turn ripples into waves. I let it carry me away, and I hope you do too.
Meredith, thank you. My heart is warm, my dreams are bigger, and my hope is reinvigorated.
A book beaming with heart and humor, honesty and humility, fear and shame, anger and forgiveness, Unseen tells a powerful story, a story both unique and common to the human experience. It’s Meredith’s life, unique to her and her alone, but the lessons and insight resonate in all our souls and shed light on our own battles.
It’s a story that invites you, and Rick Burgess, and Roy Moore, and Allison, and me, and even her mother to the table, as fellow Christians, as fellow human beings, all suffering, all needing a shoulder, all a little lost, to share our love of God, not use it against one another. Meredith reminds us we’re all neighbors, neighbors who deserve love and grace and support. In a time of division, most notably seen in the horrendous comments posted online, Meredith combats that negativity with different words: words of grace, forgiveness, and understanding.
Meredith’s journey is a journey of millions, all individuals with a shared pain who feel like they are wandering in the wilderness, and because she’s spoken out and shared this story, they will never be alone again. There will always be at least one who understands, one who reminds them they are loved.
Unseen has the power to move, to change, to inspire; in the right hands at the right time, this book can turn ripples into waves. I let it carry me away, and I hope you do too.
Meredith, thank you. My heart is warm, my dreams are bigger, and my hope is reinvigorated.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews