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The Journey of a Queer Disabled Advocate with Andrew Gurza

Queer Theology Podcast

Release Date: 07/27/2025

Called to Treason, Matthew Chapters 14-16 show art Called to Treason, Matthew Chapters 14-16

Queer Theology Podcast

This episode dives into Matthew Chapters 14-16 and the rich political, communal, and spiritual tensions woven throughout. We unpack the death of John the Baptist, the feeding miracles, Jesus walking on water, debates about purity, the encounter with the Canaanite woman, and Peter’s declaration of Jesus as Messiah. These stories are especially revealing as they challenge Empire, center outsiders, and call followers into risky, justice-oriented solidarity. We get into what treasonous acts we may be called to take up when confronting power, and what it really means to “take up your cross”...

info_outline Still Scared About Sex and the Bible? show art Still Scared About Sex and the Bible?

Queer Theology Podcast

We’re diving into one of their most asked-about topics: sex, relationships, and faith. Building on years of listener questions like, “Is it okay to masturbate?” “What does the Bible say about premarital sex, polyamory, or kink,” we explore why so many of us seek definitive answers and how that impulse comes from an evangelical mindset that treats the Bible like a rulebook. As always we invite y’all to move beyond arguing Bible passages toward a deeper, embodied understanding of faith, sexuality, and ethics that is grounded in consent, respect, and self-awareness. Queerness, desire,...

info_outline Gender is a Calling with Justin Sabia Tanis show art Gender is a Calling with Justin Sabia Tanis

Queer Theology Podcast

In this episode, Fr. Shannon talks with the Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis. He is an assistant professor and director of the Social Transformation program at United Theological Seminary. He earned his Ph.D. from the Graduate Theological Union in Interdisciplinary Studies in addition to a Master of Divinity degree at Harvard Divinity School and a Doctor of Ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary. We explore Justin’s journey as a transgender man of faith, his groundbreaking contributions to trans theology, and the evolution of queer and trans thought within the church and academia....

info_outline The First Gospel show art The First Gospel

Queer Theology Podcast

For this episode, we’re diving into the Gospel of Mark. We unpack why Mark was likely the first Gospel written, who it was written for, and what was happening politically under Roman occupation. Drawing on scholarly interpretation, we look into how Mark’s storytelling and its urgency, as well as its focus on common people, challenges Empire and centers the marginalized. This perspective also redefines discipleship as active resistance through themes like repentance, liberation, and community transformation, showing how Mark’s “good news” remains a radical call to action for today’s...

info_outline Angelic Troublemakers: Edafe Okporo show art Angelic Troublemakers: Edafe Okporo

Queer Theology Podcast

We had the pleasure of speaking with activist and author, Edafe Okporo. Edafe was born in Warri, Nigeria. He migrated to the United States in 2016 as an asylum seeker and is now a refugee of the United States. He is a global gay rights activist, the founder of Refuge America, and one of the country’s most visible voices on the issue of displacement. We spoke about the issues of detainment for immigrants in the US, especially difficult for trans people seeking asylum and LGBTQ people. Edafe’s story is inspiring and powerful, reminding us that our work for equality must include marginalized...

info_outline Celebrating Jewish Empowerment and Teaching the Masses with Milli Not So Vanilli show art Celebrating Jewish Empowerment and Teaching the Masses with Milli Not So Vanilli

Queer Theology Podcast

For this interview, we are excited to talk with Millie, more well-known as Milli Not So Vanilli on social media. She is a 34-year-old Jewish mother and "accidental" TikTok creator. We learn how her grandmother has inspired her to speak out and how she is her greatest source of inspiration; her grandmother had been a Holocaust survivor and her grandfather was a victim of McCarthyism. We discuss how important it is for Christians to learn about their own history, to learn about Jewish history, and why this will help end prevalent misconceptions about Judaism and Jews. She also explains how...

info_outline Throwback: God is a Black Woman with Dr. Christena Cleveland show art Throwback: God is a Black Woman with Dr. Christena Cleveland

Queer Theology Podcast

We’re revisiting our interview episode with the remarkable Dr. Christena Cleveland. Dr. Cleveland is an author, activist and a founder and director of the Center for Justice + Renewal as well as its sister organization, Sacred Folk. Tune in as Fr. Shay talks with Dr. Cleveland about her journey to find the Black Madonna and the Sacred Feminine, what that means for her view of the white, male god and her evangelical upbringing, and how wisdom and the Sacred Divine can be found within ourselves. Grab a copy of her book: course Dr. Cleveland Patreon: Website:   Resources: Join our...

info_outline Faith and Identity: Miryam Kabakov on Building Inclusive Orthodox Communities show art Faith and Identity: Miryam Kabakov on Building Inclusive Orthodox Communities

Queer Theology Podcast

We welcome Miryam Kabakov to the podcast this week. Miryam is a national leader who has worked for more than three decades on the inclusion of LGTBQ+ individuals in the Orthodox world. She is Executive Director and ​co-founder of Eshel, @eshelonline, a national organization that supports LGBTQ+ Orthodox individuals and their families. Prior to being a leader at Eshel, Miryam was the New York and National Program Director of AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps, Director of LGBT programming at the JCC Manhattan, Social Worker at West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing, and was the...

info_outline Throwback: The End. Or is it? Matthew 26-28 show art Throwback: The End. Or is it? Matthew 26-28

Queer Theology Podcast

  In this week’s throwback episode, we return to the final episode of our eight-part series on Matthew. And here is where we come to crucifixion and resurrection.. The End… but really, the Beginning! It’s important for us to call out and recognize in these texts the significant polemic against the Jewish leaders, even if most of Matthew’s audience still considered themselves to be Jewish. The context is crucial here for us to not continue the anti-semitic rhetoric that “the Jews killed Jesus”, but underline that the Roman Empire killed Jesus. We have stories of the anointing...

info_outline Throwback: The Devil and His Many Names show art Throwback: The Devil and His Many Names

Queer Theology Podcast

What was your upbringing regarding your belief in Satan or the Devil? How were you taught (or scared) growing up about the fallen angel, the demon, the serpent, Beelzebub, and the many other names? In this throwback episode, we will discover where our idea of Demon or Satan comes from and see how your beliefs or ideas about the devil line up with what scripture says. Satan in the Hebrew Bible: Numbers 22:22 Satan in the Garden of Eden as the serpent: Ezekiel 28:12-19 Where the term “fallen archangel” come from: Isaiah 14:12 Pop-cultural resources about The Devil: Inferno...

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More Episodes

Andrew Gurza (@andrewgurza) joins Brian this week on the podcast to talk about sex, disability, and his new book, “Notes From a Queer Cripple.” Andrew is an award winning Disability Awareness Consultant and the Chief Disability Officer and Co-founder of Bump’n, a sex toy company for and by disabled people.  Andrew uses they/he pro-nouns and identifies proudly as disabled.  He is also the host of Disability After Dark: The Podcast Shining a Bright Light on Disability Stories. In this conversation, Andrew shares their journey as a queer disabled person, discussing their experiences with sexuality, disability advocacy, and the importance of creating inclusive spaces. They delve into their work as a speaker and author, emphasizing the need for open discussions about sex and disability. The conversation highlights the challenges faced in the community, the impact of critiques, and the joy of connecting with others through shared experiences.

 

Takeaways

  • Andrew has been a disability consultant for 14 years.

  • They emphasize the importance of discussing sex and disability openly.

  • Andrew's book is a love letter to queer disabled people.

  • They advocate for the inclusion of disabled sexuality in mainstream conversations.

  • Andrew's experiences with sex work have transformed their relationship with intimacy.

  • They believe that disabled people deserve to explore their sexuality freely.

  • Andrew's journey includes creating a sex-positive community for disabled individuals.

  • They highlight the need for more accessible spaces for disabled people to express their sexuality.

  • Andrew's work aims to challenge societal norms around disability and sexuality.

  • They encourage others to see the beauty in their bodies and desires.

 

Chapters

(02:40) Talking About Sex and Disability

(05:37) The Journey to Disability Advocacy

(08:29) The Book: Notes from a Queer Cripple

(11:19) Sex Work and Intimacy

(14:09) The Importance of Connection

(17:01) Embracing Sexuality and Body Positivity

(19:50) The Power of Humor in Disability Advocacy

(22:52) The Influence of Queer Media

(25:10) Creating Inclusive Spaces for Disabled Queer People

(28:32) The Impact of the Deliciously Disabled Party

(31:07) Navigating Critiques and Misunderstandings

(34:35) The Complexity of Disability and Sexuality

(37:21) The Importance of Community and Support

(40:19) Final Thoughts on Sexuality and Disability



Resources:. 

 

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