Episcopal Seminarian Releases Gay Christian Poetry Anthology

Filed Under Books, Religion | July 28th, 2008 

Sanctified: An Anthology of Poetry by LGBT ChristiansSAN FRANCISCO, CA (MARKET WIRE) — This month marks the publication of the world’s first poetry anthology devoted exclusively to works by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans Christians.

Justin R. Cannon, editor of “Sanctified: An Anthology of Poetry by LGBT Christians,” explains, “I am excited about this publication because LGBT Christians’ voices need to be heard not only in church meetings, city councils, and courtrooms, but also in the literary arena. I believe poetry is an intimate, very revealing form of writing, and that this anthology speaks deeply to the experience of queer Christians in our world.” He elaborates, “The many voices in this anthology reveal the deep pain and grief, longing and desire, and also the joys of LGBT Christians who are often caught between two worlds that are so often opposed to each other.”

The release of this anthology coincides with the Lambeth Conference, during which bishops from the worldwide Anglican Communion gather once every ten years. This year the conference is held on University of Kent’s campus in England. The Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church is a part, is faced with the possibility of a split due to the ordination of openly gay and partnered bishop, Gene Robinson, in addition to British Anglicans’ recent decision to ordain female bishops. Nearly 230 Anglican bishops are boycotting the conference. Cannon comments, “The timing was not planned, but it is appropriate. Now, more than ever, the world needs a doorway into understanding the gay Christian soul.”

Justin R. Cannon graduated from Earlham College where he received his B.A. in French and Francophone Studies. During his studies at Earlham, he served on the editorial board for The Earlham Literary Magazine and started up the school’s poetry appreciation group, Poetheads Anonymous.

Cannon is also the director of Inclusive Orthodoxy, an online ministry to LGBT Christians as well as Rainbow Christians, an LGBT Christian social networking site with over 5000 registered members. He lives in Berkeley, CA where he is a student at Church Divinity School of the Pacific and is pursuing priesthood in the Episcopal Church.

“Sanctified” can be ordered online at www.SanctifiedAnthology.com or purchased on Amazon.com (ISBN: 978-1438247854).