🕊️🌈"Healing is an Ongoing Process"

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TW: Religious trauma

Queer author, poet, and storyteller Rebecca Wilson is this week's guest, and hers is a story of rejection, rising up, and finding belonging. Rebecca, an ex-minister in the Methodist church, found herself in the center of a storm when the New York Times posted her photo, her expression belying the heartbreak she felt when the United Methodist Church (UMC) voted at a special session of the general council to strengthen a ban of LGBTQ clergy and same-sex weddings. Consequently, the UMC have lost 5,800 churches through disaffiliation. After the photo was published Rebecca found herself in a position as a lightning rod for hate and ultimately left the UMC ministry. In this impactful conversation with host Anne-Marie Zanzal, Rebecca shares her story of courage, transformation, and the quest for self-acceptance in the face of adversity. Her journey of healing through her writing project, 10 Camels, is a reminder of the power of storytelling.

❓ What to Expect in This Episode:

🏳️‍🌈Rebecca shares the story of her journey in seminary and her struggles with mental health.

🏳️‍🌈After leaving the UMC, Rebecca finds the gift of queer community.

🏳️‍🌈Rebecca shares the how her project, 10 Camels, helped her navigate the wilderness of healing.

🏳️‍🌈Rebecca's story exemplifies the importance of prioritizing authenticity over institutional acceptance.

✨ Why This Matters:

In a society where active suppression of LGBTQ rights emboldens homophobic actions (e.g. the Pulse nightclub shooting), finding healing and a sense of home in queer community is fundamental to the health and well-being of queer individuals. The power of storytelling, of being seen and heard, is a powerful catalyst for healing trauma associated with oppression.

You can connect with Rebecca Wilson and learn more about her project, 10 Camels, here: https://10camels.com/

Rebecca's first book of poetry, "Unraveling", is available now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Unraveling-Rebecca-Wilson/dp/1960326708

Rebecca's coming out song is "It's a Miracle" by Culture Club: