Male and Female and... - Sermon by Rev. Stephen Milton

In this week’s sermon, Male and Female and…, Rev. Stephen Milton challenges rigid interpretations of gender through the lens of scripture, hospitality, and compassion. Preached on Pride Sunday, the message begins with Jesus rebuking his disciples for wanting to call down fire on an inhospitable Samaritan village—an echo of the destruction of Sodom, often misused to condemn queer people. Rev. Milton reclaims the Sodom story as one about violent inhospitality, not sexuality, and draws a parallel to today’s climate of exclusion fueled by attacks on diversity and trans rights. Highlighting lesser-known biblical insights—from Jesus’ acceptance of eunuchs to the Talmud’s recognition of seven genders—he underscores that the Bible has room for more than binary thinking. As cultural backlash threatens DEI efforts and Pride celebrations, the sermon calls the Church to emulate Christ’s example: to reject fear, extend hospitality, and affirm the sacred worth of all people, regardless of gender identity or orientation.