Coming Out Spiritually

A program on the relationship between homosexuality and spirituality by author Christian de la Huerta.

Publishers Weekly named "Coming Out Spiritually," by Christian de la Huerta, one of its top ten religion books of 1999.

In his program, based on the book, Christian introduces his audiences to many of the world's religions, and emphasizes the importance of religious diversity in today's world. He shares an understanding of the teachings of religious traditions and their attitudes toward homosexuality. Offering a fresh outlook on gay spirituality and how to assert it, he gives queer and non-queer audiences new foundations from which to build a spiritual life.

Christian de Huerta, the founder of Q-Spirit, synthesizes the ten spiritual roles or archetypes queer people have often assumed and continue to enact today: creator of beauty, consciousness scout, mediator, shaman, and healer, among others. Drawing on these models while acting as a guide to the queer community, de la Huerta shows how to look deeper inside; to reach higher than ever before; to step forth more fully into their rightful selves.

COMING OUT SPIRITUALLY program introduces audiences to many of the world's religions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Sufism, and Taoism, and overviews the teachings of these traditions and their attitudes towards homosexuality.

Christian is a passionate proponent of the special role he sees LGBT and queer people playing in today's society. He believes that they are meant to be catalysts for our planet's spiritual evolution, and that it's time they embraced this joyous responsibility.

A worldwide spiritual awakening is taking place. What is the role of gay, lesbian and other queer people in this extraordinary phenomenon? What does it mean to Come out Spiritually?

Millennia ago, in many cultures throughout the world, those with ambiguous gender or same-sex desire were recognized through initiation into the mystical arts and revered as visionaries, healers, and spiritual guides. In these cultures sexual minorities were central to the spiritual welfare of the collective society. In more recent times, our modern-day religions forged an artificial split between sexuality and spirituality. Sex became purely functional, and the vital differences between religion and spirituality were lost.

This program is useful for both, queer and non-queer audiences, whether beginners on the spiritual path or those more experienced.