By Lewis Reay (From Seeds December 2025 – January 2026)

Queer and Christian is a powerful and affirming perspective for those at the intersection of queer identity and Christian faith’, said the Revd Fiona Bennett.

Fiona hosted AUC’s evening with Brandan Robertson to discuss his new book, Queer and Christian: reclaiming the Bible, our faith, and our place at the table.

In the book, Brandan tells his personal story of his faith and sexuality, including his experiences of conversion practices.

At this fundraiser evening organised by Our Tribe, Brandan talked eloquently about his early experiences in church, where he was welcomed until it became clear that he didn’t conform to expected narratives of sexuality and gender. While studying at Bible college he was told to undergo conversion therapy. This did not turn him straight! Instead, he found the queer community, progressive Christianity, and came out.

His insights into biblical passages that are gender non-conforming or expose sexuality between equal consenting adults showed us that there are queer narratives to be found and unpacked in scripture. He talked about Joseph and his coat of many colours. This was a female garment, and Joseph delighted in it. Joseph’s father Jacob recognised something in Joseph that was gender non-conforming, such that Joseph’s brothers repeatedly tried to kill him. This story is one of a marginalised person becoming the hero of their own life.

In the book, Brandan also tells stories about Jonathan and David, Ruth and Naomi, and the Ethiopian Eunuch – all characters whose stories reveal a queer narrative. Finding ourselves in the pages of scripture felt like a revelation for many in the audience.

During a Q&A session, Brandon also paid tribute to the Jewish teaching and texts that laid the foundations for Jesus’ life and ministry and the establishment of the early church. Asked about a bisexual reading of the story of David and Jonathan, he agreed that from a bisexual lens this would be interesting. Another person asked whether a queer identity was a ‘thorn in the flesh’ and Brandan told us that rather it is a gift – a blessing to be celebrated as we are made in the image of God. He also spoke of the impact of Metropolitan Community Churches upon the progress of affirming and inclusive churches throughout the world.

This event was supported by a partnership of city centre churches: St Columba’s by the Castle, Greyfriars Kirk, St Giles Catherdal, Edinburgh New Town Church, Metropolitan Community Church and Augustine United Church. With over 50 tickets sold, it was a busy and engaging evening. We raised £350 for the Equality Network and Scottish Trans.

In the next issue of Seeds, Carol Joyner reviews ‘Everyday Normal’ – the Sarah Jones tour