In the Margins: A Transgender Man’s Journey with Scripture

by Shannon T.L. Kearns, Paula Stone Williams (Foreword)

Moving the conversation beyond transgender inclusion to demonstrate the unique and vital theological insights transgender Christians can provide the church.   Father Shannon Kearns is familiar with liminal spaces. He’s lived in them his whole life. And while his experience as a transgender man has often made it difficult for him to fit in—especially in the context of Christianity—it has also shaped his perspective in important ways on complicated, gender-transgressing aspects of theology and Scripture.   In the Margins  weaves stories from Shannon’s life into reflections on well-known biblical narratives—such as Jacob wrestling with the divine, Rahab and the Israelite spies, Ezekiel and the dry bones, and the transfiguration of Jesus. In each chapter, Shannon shows how stories have helped him make sense of his own identity, and how those same stories can unlock the transformative power of faith for those willing to listen with an open mind and stand alongside him in the in-between.

Genres: Religion, LGBT, Queer, Memoir, Nonfiction, Theology, Christian

232 pages, Paperback

Published August 9, 2022

Reviews

[Jon Mathieu · Rating 5 out of 5]

My main concern heading into this book was who its audience is meant to be and whether I’m in it (or for that matter, if anyone is in it). Kearns states in the introduction that this book is not supposed to fall into the two major camps of LGBTQ+ Christian books—the “case for inclusion” books and the academic queer theology volumes. The former is old hat, he says, and the case has already been made, so In the Margins starts from the assumption that queer folks should be fully included in the church. The second camp of books, he says, is simply too difficult for most people to read, or at least those without a seminary education.

So this book is for people who care about the Bible (or else why would you read about someone’s “journey with Scripture”?), are already on board for full inclusivity, but who do not want to struggle through an academic book. It is the last of these that made me wonder if this was right for me—maybe I should just read the heady academic stuff and skip the pop memoir version? But for anyone who manages to fall into this intended audience, Kearns sets out to show that it’s not only good and decent to have trans and other queer folks in the church, but is in fact a vital source of treasure for everyone in the church, as LGBTQ (and particularly trans) people have incredible wisdom to offer from their lived experiences.

Anyway, I’ll leave the above audience question for the marketing team at Eerdmans (but I write it here so you can decide whether you want to read the book).

As for the content of the book itself, I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. I guess I fell into the intended audience more than I realized! Shannon’s accounts of his struggles with evangelical theology and systems resonated with me on a deep level as an exvangelical, even though I’m a cis man. His readings of various passages of the Bible (each chapter ties together a section of Scripture and a season in Shannon’s faith/sexuality/gender journey) were enriching and thought-provoking.

I highly recommend you check it out if this type of book sounds appealing to you.

[aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written by Shannon T. L. Kearns who I've known since high school era. I was able to watch his creativity from a young age and now I'm privy to his first written memoir. This book is an amazing journey through his story of growing up in a fundamental evangelical church all while eventually coming out as transgender. This book is achingly heartrending at times and still a beautiful story of someone finding their truth and living it! I would recommend it to anyone, especially those in the LGBTQIA+ space.

[Gabe Dulecki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update: 2/20/25
Uh, this came out a million years ago and I forgot to link it!! so here you go!! https://www.catholicsforchoice.org/re...

~~~

I love love loved this book!! Thorough review to come when the magazine comes out. I’ll link my review then!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here we go….

To say this book challenged me as a Catholic is an understatement. Several people in my life can attest to the deep frustration and disconnect this book invoked in me. But alas, books that light that little angry fire in me turn out to be favorites down the line.

Growing up a SF Catholic, scripture played a minimal role in my religious education. In CCD, selected stories in the bible were used to showcase how each of us should strive to behave as children of God. We did community service as a group, forcefully participated in Wednesday night mass, but what stood at the most to me was how these educators cultivated my personal relationship to God and our communion of saints.

I most resisted some of the ways I felt Shannon related so deeply with Jesus in particular. Now having studied queer theology and scripture more deeply in an academic setting it is nonetheless powerful and I strongly believe folks need that exploration in their spiritual formation and exposure to seeing our God in the multifaceted nature they inhabit. HowEVER, my personal relationship with God/Jesus was not mediated through scripture: but through prayer, ritual, and community service.

To say that this close of a read into scripture shocked me to my core is an understatement. Scripture is one of many sources of truth in the Catholic faith, and I consider these sources to impact my faith relatively equally. For example despite the fact that Catholic hierarchy says gay sex = bad I always had a deep sense about my own queer/non-binary identity that it didn’t matter what they said, the hierarchy is not made of infallible people, just like each and every one of us.

I say this all not to critique Shannon for “not catering to me as a Catholic” because that is NOT his responsibility or even something I want — but to name exactly why reading this was so HARD lol.

Shannon’s stories reminded me of how lucky I was to have a faith journey that was steeped in constant dialogue with myself God the father, Jesus, and the holy spirit. Not to say that the Catholic Church has not made a MASSIVE impact on how I see my body, my gender identity, my sexuality, etc. There will always have to be the deconstruction present in his narratives in my faith as well.

Ultimately, Shannon’s stories made me feel less alone as a queer christian. While I won’t be able to meet a traditional call to ministry due to the way the Catholic church is set up, I think it showed me just how powerful a tool scripture can be as an aid in spiritual transformation. Especially for us ~gays and transes~. Like, I will never not appreciate thinking about Jesus’ wounds mirroring top surgery scars. I EAT THAT UP.

Obviously you should read this book, dear reader of my review. Just beware if youre an extremely nerdy Catholic like me who’s head explodes everytime they are confronted with a evangelical or protestant framework.

[Dave Lester · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his debut book, Shannon TL Kearns traces his life story alongside Biblical accounts that helped him find himself in God's story. This memoir finds Shannon authentically and passionately retelling his being born into the conservative Evangelical church and eventually coming out as trans. While mixing personal story with theology, the reader is invited into Shannon's story based on his compelling writing, honesty and sincere faith. It is a book dedicated to the trans community but anyone can see themselves in this inspirational memoir.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book expecting to learn about Kearn's perspective as a transgender person within religious space, but I was surprised at how many times I, as a cisgender person, resonated with religious customs/culture that harm all of us. Beautiful story, beautiful person. LGBTQ+ people have sacred, true perspectives of God and who we are that enlighten all of us, if we will be humble and listen.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This powerful memoir-meets-Scripture-study tells the compelling story of a trans man’s unfolding understanding of his identity, blended with his evolving understanding of Scripture. Shannon T. L. Kearns is a former Christian fundamentalist who became the first openly trans man ordained to Old Catholic priesthood. He shares with vulnerability and tenderness about his struggles beginning in childhood as a gender nonconforming person situated in a fundamentalist evangelical context that was heavily focused on traditional gender roles/identities. His journey of becoming was closely tied to the deconstruction of his understanding of Scripture and who God is during a time when “deconstruction” was not yet a buzz word.
 
Kearns explores ten stories/key concepts in the Bible from his unique view as a trans man. He asserts that “…transgender people have unique insights into life and faith that can enrich people who don’t have our experiences of the world.” Even as a cis-het woman, I found that much of Kearns’ deconstruction journey resonated—like Kearns, I have found God to be much better, kinder, and more expansive than I dared to dream earlier in my faith journey. As someone who has spent decades reading, hearing, and studying the Bible, I loved reading his unique perspective on familiar Bible stories and was challenged and encouraged by his prophetic vision, which the Christian church desperately needs. This is a must-read, particularly for folks who are deconstructing/reconstructing their faith.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good mix of scholarly theology and pop culture type narratives! I love Shannon's style of writing and I find her very satisfying to read as a Christian undergoing her own faith deconstruction.
Shannon's story is he grew up in a very conservative evangelical community and he never had the language to express why he didn't feel comfortable in his AFAB body. He tells the readers about his life in college, seminary, and afterwards, interspersed with stories about Jesus's life.
This book challenges Christians to live out their faith through the advocacy for marginalized peoples and to see their own faith in a new light. I'll be recotmmending to anyone else who's looking for an introduction into trans, progressive theology.

[Karna Bosman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling memoir about Shannon Kearns' struggle with Christianity, sexuality and gender. https://www.shannontlkearns.com/about/ From his official bio: "Shannon TL Kearns is a transgender man who believes in the transformative power of story. As an ordained priest, a playwright, a theologian, and a writer. All of his work revolves around making meaning through story."
I recommend this book to Christians who struggle to make room for people who are different than themselves or different from what the company line has always told them is "right" or "normal."
I feel this book has an important message for anyone who is on a mission of "Read Until You Understand."

[Kieran Healy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone brought up Catholic, and subsequently left because of it’s continued disregard for marginalized people who don’t fit in their dogma, I was quite interested to read this.

What I didn’t expect was to question my own decision to walk away. I’m just a plain ol’ cisgender white dude, as non-marginalized as they come, and wondered: How can a transgender person stick with Christianity as it is practiced? Turns out the answer is simple and also inspired: don’t practice it that way. Utilizing the bible and then comparing his own experiences in life as example, Kearns manages to transcend from memoir to inspiration.

I actually ended this book interested in exploring Christ more as an example and leader than as the abusive relationship lord I was raised with. That shift in mindset is an impressive result, and I applaud Kearns for achieving it.

[Brianna Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Margins is an incredibly moving and powerful story that touches on so many important themes. As a straight, white, cisgender woman, I found myself not only being moved by Shay’s journey as a transgender Christian but also learning more about myself and my faith. I found myself personally relating to so many parts of the book as well as feeling challenged (in a good way) both academically and spiritually.

I would strongly recommend this book to any person who is looking to better understand the Christian faith through an academic and thought provoking lens. I was inspired by Shays journey to live his authentic self and his vulnerability to share his journey with us has (and will continue) to help others, including myself, on their path to find their authentic self and in doing so, better serve others.

[Allison Manenti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I firmly believe that EVERYONE will see themselves in the pages of this book somehow. Who hasn’t struggled with accepting some part of their body? Resisted external pressures of who they’re “supposed” to be or do or say? Or been sick from just giving in because the fight was too hard?
Well said, Shay, and thank you for sharing your truth. I hope you’ve realized the journey has been worthwhile. And while I believe that G-d putting us through hard things for a reason is a bullshit oversimplification of life, it’s hard not to believe that our true purpose is revealed along the way. That “our people “ are scattered there for us to encounter as we go.

[James]

It's kind of tough to rate this as a book without also feeling like I'm rating the author's life...which is not a thing I have ever encountered with other memoir/biography type books. So on those grounds, I decline to rate.

That said, coming from an evangelical background myself (Southern Baptist), I related to a lot of the experiences he wrote about in the book, but I left christianity behind after college, because I knew I didn't belong in the tradition and honestly, I don't think religion in general and christianity more specifically is correct or valid. That the author drew different conclusions in very similar circumstances is...frustrating? disappointing? worrying for the future of trans and queer people? For me. Mileage will vary.

The writing was good, but not stellar. Serviceable for a first book. The Bible stories he chose were better in the beginning, but less interesting and nuanced as he moved into the New Testament stuff, which is kind of wild, since that's not generally how that goes. The personal narrative bits were the better parts, compared to the theology. I love reading trans masculine narratives. This one was a bit spare.

Overall, for trans readers who grew up in evangelicalism, this is a validating read; however, it may be more enjoyable and of use to those who stayed with the church rather than those who left. For cisgender readers...I just don't know, but I hope NONE of them walk away from the book thinking that celibacy is normal or desirable for most transgender men.

[Amanda Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I loved hearing how Shannon saw himself in the stories of the Bible and learning from the lens he applied to these stories. His writing is gentle and expansive, and his own story is a picture of resilience and truth. I’m excited to read this again with my church group and discuss more in depth.

[Cara Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the strongest writer but a fascinating story and necessary read, nonetheless.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was part of my personal “exvangelical” deconstruction to learn more about the transgender experience and specifically how that experience intersects within the church. I realize this is a very niche book with a specific audience in mind, and I happened to fit that niche audience. I loved the way Shannon wove memoir with theology and the sad reality of strict gender norms with the hope that true faith means acceptance for all kinds of people. It challenged my prior belief system in a way that was both uncomfortable and refreshing. It is a book I would recommend to anyone who who grew up in the church and is looking for a progressive path that more adequately balances social justice and inclusivity with faith. 

The most surprising part of this book for me was the way that Shannon still maintains his deep Christian faith. He denounces the toxic culture of conservative Christianity while still holding onto the truth that Jesus is inclusive and loving, not judgmental or fearful of difference. In fact, Shannon consistently weaves his interpretation of biblical stories with how that helped him feel loved, seen, and accepted by the God in the Bible. He uses Eunuchs, Joseph, Jacob, Rahab, Ezekiel, Jesus, the Transfiguration, and Easter to illustrate the ways in which the Bible doesn’t just allow more fluid gender expression, but explicitly accepts the diversity of gender and gender fluidity. This was refreshingly beautiful. If I grew up as a trans kid in conservative Christianity in America, I’m not sure I would have arrived at such a hope-filled conclusion that redeems Christianity. I think I would have abandoned the faith altogether. 

Shannon himself answers this question in the conclusion about why he stayed within the Christian faith. He writes, “I stay because I find meaning in this Jesus story. There is something so captivating about Jesus, God taking on human flesh. Jesus who cares about and centers the marginalized, Jesus who heals the sick and makes really good wine, Jesus who hangs out with all the freaks, Jesus who speaks truth to power. Jesus who is executed by both religious and political power. Jesus who defies even the authority of nature to be resurrected.” 

This book was the perfect step in my personal deconstruction journey. I feel brokenhearted for all that Shannon had to go through as a child, teenager, and young adult in the sheltered, conservative, harmful church spaces he was part of. I simultaneously feel so encouraged and inspired by his journey toward wholeness and transition from female to male. I am grateful he courageously shared his story. What a powerful book to challenge the status quo of Christianity in America. 

“Even in all of my deconstruction and reconstruction the simple truth is this: this Jesus story gives me life.” 

“Outsiders - those on the margins, those carrying sexual scandal - are part of the family of Jesus.”

“We sense in Jesus an occasional warring as he fights against patriarchal systems and the divisions of his culture.”

“Eunuchs were considered to be ungendered; they were no longer men, but they weren’t women either… the parallels with transgender and nonbinary people are hard to ignore. Eunuchs weren’t treated as castrated men; they were treated as a whole new gender. Not men, but also not women. In between.”

“One of the primary critiques of queer and trans theology (and really any theology written from the perspective of marginalized people) is that we are ‘making God in our own image.’ This critique ignores an uncomfortable fact: all theology comes from a specific context. There is no theology that is generated from a purely objective place; we’ve been trained to see white, cisgender, male as the norm and categorize everything else as identity politics.”

“For people who have often lived on the margins - trans people, Black people, Indigenous people, People of Color, queer people, people with disabilities - who know what it’s like to be vulnerable… We resonate strongly with a God who knows what it’s like to be powerless and vulnerable. A God who knows what it’s like to wait. A God who needs to be resurrected.”

[Amanda Pence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Father Shay is an excellent Spiritual Theologian. (Spiritual Theology is the intersection of people's lived experience with Scripture/Theology - how theology actually affects people, and whether certain theologies lead to spiritual growth or stagnation.) This is a must read for everyone involved with spiritual theology - spiritual directors, pastors, lay leaders, chaplains, anyone in a pastoral care type role. Beautifully and clearly written, In the Margins weaves Fr. Shay's own story through the contours of both Old and New Testaments, and carefully, meaningfully, examines the theology he had been given. This book is not just for those who are transgender: people who are deconstructing their faith, who grew up in female bodies, and/or who grew up closeted in evangelical spaces will feel seen, known, and validated. As someone who fits all three of those categories, I can confirm that the theologies Fr. Shay analyzes are widespread and his conclusions about them are accurate. I'm sure transgender and genderqueer individuals who grew up in evangelical spaces will also feel seen, known, and validated by this work. (Also, people who have been divorced). I strongly encourage people who do not fit any of those categories to read this as well. Please listen to us, and believe us when we tell you that many theologies made by and for straight cis men are causing deep harm to over half of the church (cis women, gay, and genderqueer people).

Fr. Shay also does a very good job with Biblical Theology. (Biblical Theology is analyzing/exegeting the text of Scripture in context). I am a seminarian at Talbot School of Theology, studying to be a Biblical Theologian. I do not agree with all of Fr. Shay's interpretations. But it is important to remember that he is, first and foremost in this work, doing spiritual theology. One may be tempted to compare his work to other, more exegetical works, but please try not to. It is important to analyze any literature according to its relevant genre, and Spiritual Theology has looser rules than Biblical Theology. It is about seeing yourself in Scripture and about connecting with God and growing in the fruit of the Spirit. Biblical Theology is about trying to figure out the most likely interpretation of a given text. It is more stuffy and academic, and doesn't always have meaningful application. All that to say, when you get to the part about Joseph perhaps being trans, don't stop reading!! I think the link between his coat and the garments worn by the princesses in 2 Sam 13 is a bit of a stretch, but it is the kind of stretch allowable in this genre of writing. It doesn't mean that he isn't good at exegeting, it means that he's using a different framework than someone like me would use, and that's ok.

Again, In the Margins is truly excellent. I plan to have several in my library to hand out to people freely. It meets a huge need for trans voices in the church. In an environment where seemingly everyone has something to say about trans people, the best way to love our neighbors is to turn off the fear mongering and listen to actual stories from our queer siblings in Christ.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The one word to describe this book is 'vulnerable'. The author, Shannon, is a trans man who grows up in, and eventually out of, the oppressive conservative christian atmosphere that tried to twist him into something he wasn't. He tells a story of someone who tried to fit in and failed. Of someone who drank all the kool-aid but could never turn into the person everyone wanted him to be. Of someone who eventually realized it wasn't his fault for being born different, it was the culture's fault for not embracing who he is.

For me, the most riveting parts of the book weren't when he was telling his life story (though his story is incredibly interesting). Instead, it was when he dove into the Bible. His interpretation of Christian scripture challenges what we see in Christianity. To him, Jesus was someone who was outcast from society because of His identity. Jesus slowly 'came out' to His disciples and friends about His divinity, and He had a deep love for others who were outcasts as well. Shannon pulls from Jesus's story and asks the reader if Jesus and LGBTQ+ are really that different.

In a way, people with stories like this are the ones who threaten conservative culture the most. It isn't because they're burning down buildings or shooting innocent people on the street, though. The threat comes from their very existence. Shannon describes how everything he did was interpreted as wrong, hostile, or threatening to the people around him. When he identified as a woman and refused to wear skirts, made lighthearted jokes, and preferred traditionally male activities, the conservatives became uncomfortable because they believed a woman shouldn't act or think like that. When he was dating a woman pre-transition, they kicked him out their churches and communities. When he started to transition, some refused to call him the correct pronouns, including his mother. When he asked for the same human decency everyone else received, it was denied to him because of who he was.

This book is fantastic. It balances story and argument with a maturity and sincerity that few authors can achieve. It's a must-read for anyone daring to think differently about Christianity, LGBTQ+, or western society as a whole.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of this book is memoir with queer understandings of Biblical texts spliced in. Very thought-provoking from a faithful standpoint, but I do wish it was more interpretation, less memoir. Later chapters felt like sermons, which is certainly very unique for people who are trans/queer and Christian.

Kearns talks about looking into the treatment of eunuchs - with caveats - as a third gender and how Biblical texts argue to accept them and, later, even honor those that have "made themselves eunuchs." Much texts, if read in order, argue against purity laws to accept outsiders, later discussed with Rahab, a madam of a brothel, and who is in Jesus's lineage. 

There was then a really good discussion on the generational trauma Abraham - Isaac - Jacob - Joseph. Joseph "preferred the company of women to men" as his father Jacob, who was considered effeminate compared to his brother, Esau. Joseph's otherness is rewarded as Joseph gets to live a life of royalty. Additionally, much is made of Joseph's technicolor coat as perhaps women's clothing, but there's not enough context.

One chapter on Ezekiel was an interesting argument for the importance of the body, where the book shifts into more sermon. Another chapter on relating accepting your trans identity to Jesus's acceptance as himself as son of God, and then one on the coming out process, or Jesus revealing his divinity. Another on the period between the crucifixion and resurrection.

Then a sermon on accepting yourself as someone uniquely made by God with our own talents and ways of seeing, and that we, as community, work together when we are all acknowledged and accepted. And a final sermon on the harder times in our lives.

I find it healing to read a book by a transman that it also Biblically grounded. I grew up in the church and never found this sort of acceptance for who I was. I'm no longer Christian, but there is validation in this. 

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciated the level of thoughtfulness and care the author had when writing this wonderful book. I read this as part of my church’s Pride Month book club. It was so refreshing to approach these topics with the understanding that the readers are already affirming/learning to be better allies/partners of the queer community themselves. By starting there, readers can begin getting to the meat of things instead of recovering things that have already been established in several other books. Rather than preparing the reader to tackle the clobber verses, we get an examination of scripture using queer theology to uncover new meanings and context to stories I had taken for granted. There are some incredible realizations from the author. His respect for the text and strength of analysis are strengths of the book. He is very intentional about considering the perspectives of marginalized people of a variety of communities. I also valued his bravery in sharing the details of his personal life to better exemplify his points. I found the balance between memoir and biblical analysis to be poignant and compelling. The book is chock full of heart and truth. I loved how it made space for joy and simultaneously didn’t shy away from the more difficult and painful topics. It is very accessible to people who are a bit unfamiliar with LGBTQ+ issues, so sometimes it felt a bit shallow compared to what depths I could feel the author longing to reach for. I would love to see another book from him that is a bit more advanced. Nevertheless, I think anyone can get something from the book and there are many sections that did achieve the level of analysis I was looking for. It’s a great read.

[Brennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a nice book! I read it alongside a church book study, and I found that this was a rich soil to grow some very deep and interesting conversations with people from all ages and backgrounds in that group. I personally did not resonate heavily with a lot of concepts in this book, as I don't have extensive religious traumas and did not have to reconcile a queer identity with my faith. I was raised by a pagan mother and an edgy-atheist father; it's honestly shocking I ended up aligning with Christianity in ANY way. I was also raised in a pro-LGBTQ+ household around queer family members. Since I come to faith as an adult, I've had little issue "wrestling" with my identity in relation to spiritual matters. All that aside, I think this would be a powerful book for people who DO need to do that work. Shannon is an entertaining enough writer with a perspective I aligned with despite my lack of identification with his struggle.

[Matt Mattson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extra Layers of Meaning

“In The Margins” by Shannon T.L. Kearns is a compelling, welcoming, vulnerable, gentle deep-dive into a transgender man’s story of claiming his own identity fully within the sometimes boiling soup of society, evangelical Christian culture, and his own very personal and internal battles. But more than that there were so many extra layers to this book. This is a revealing and highly accessible primer on trans theology, and peels back so many wonderful layers of meaning in Biblical stories. A perfect blend of faith and life. Layers of meaning. Earnest and compassionate writing. Wonderful.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a modern-day, occasionally skeptical, Progressive Christian. At nearly age 50, I am often reworking my faith, relearning how to live out Jesus’ example & ideals.

In this book, transgender theologian & writer Shannon Kearns’ shares new readings of Bible stories informed by his experience as a transgender man. I was inspired by his ability to move past old readings and offer new insights.

Through this reading, I found myself becoming inspired to continue learning and growing in my own faith.

[Faith Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOOF. This is a beautiful story. I related to more of this book than I expected to as Kearns gave such beautiful and relatable descriptions to his own journey of deconstruction. His grappling with scripture opened my own mind to the incredible ways that trans folk can help us see new and exciting ways to interpret the Bible. This is an expansive book, both challenging and inviting, and has given me new compassion and understanding for the trans community. Must read 🤍

[Bethany Balcer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really appreciated his perspective and got this book cuz I knew it would challenge me. I appreciate how he used the gospel to relate to his own journey and just hearing a firsthand experience of someone transitioning was helpful. However, I think it glossed over or failed to address sexuality as scripture explains it. Would have loved to hear his opinion on that and how he dealt with his gender identity accordingly.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read this incredible book. Shannon’s experience with deconstruction after growing up strict southern Baptist, and being transgender is the best book I’ve read in a long long time. Shannon TL Kearns I love your honesty, your heart, your goodness. You have weaved together your beautiful true story, that is heart wrenching and readable. I highly recommend it to everyone!

[Katie Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so much more than a memoir. This is a deep dive into the Christian faith, providing a better understanding of scripture. This is an incredibly raw LGBTQIA story but everybody will find things they relate to.

This book fills a very large void in Christian literature and more priests, nuns, catechists, and Christians in general need to read this book.

[Nicki Pappas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shannon TL Kearns vulnerably and masterfully mixes memoir and theology to create a must-read book about his journey with scripture as a transgender man. Shannon’s experiences and hermeneutical approach added depth to the biblical stories of Joseph, Rahab, Jesus, and more. I highly recommend In the Margins for every person who wants to cultivate authentic peace and justice in the world.

[ry · Rating 4 out of 5]

“In my experience, the church hasn’t been very helpful.”
3.5💫
This memoir was an interesting exploration into queer and trans theology that I had not previously explored, combined with the author’s life story. I appreciated the ways in which he was able to say “look, church isn’t for everyone, but it’s for me.”

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very thoughtful reflection on theology and identity, vulnerable but not manipulative. Fr. Kearns wants us to see the many spaces for all of God’s beloveds within scripture, including LGBTQIA+, sharing his own journey into finding it for himself and for others. Theologically sound and beautifully written.