LOVEboldly Monthly Newsletter - April 2025
A Note from the Executive Director
Dear Friends and Family,
Last month, I said it had been a rough month, and, unfortunately, March too was rough. But we’re all still here and each day, week, month, and year we keep showing up for all of our LGBTQIA+ siblings of faith.
That said, there comes a point each year when the money we raised from individual contributions and grants at the end of the last fiscal year and the money we continue to raise needs some help to get us through the summer. For LOVEboldly that usually happens in April or May. We're planning strategically to maximize our impact, but we still need your help. If you want to fund the movement or simply to give to worthy, faithful organizations, look no further than LOVEboldly. We are primarily grassroots-funded, meaning that 75% or more of our operating budget comes from people giving between $5 and $200 a month. Can you give monthly? Can you make a bigger donation now? Can you stand up and meet the moment with an organization working at the intersection of faith and the LGBTQIA+ community? We need you now. Click the button below to give now, or contact me at bhuelskamp@loveboldly.net, and let's discuss giving options.
Thank you for all you do for LOVEboldly!
Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Ben Huelskamp
Good Trouble Friday - Stations of Love and Justice
Friday, April 18 at 12pm - Meet at Trinity Episcopal on Capitol Square (map)
An ecumenical Stations of the Cross procession around the Ohio Statehouse. Join with leaders from across Christian denominations as we remember those who suffer in our day, and pray for justice, peace and the dignity of every human being. We will gather at the front steps of Trinity before processing around the Statehouse and returning to pray our closing station again on the steps of Trinity. Rain or shine.
Premiering on Easter - “Coming Out Christian”
LGBTQIA+ Christians often find themselves in the dual tension of coming out as an LGBTQIA+ person in Christian spaces and coming out as a Christian in LGBTQIA+ spaces. “Coming Out Christian,” a new podcast hosted by LOVEboldly's Board Chair, Siobhan Boyd-Nelson, and Executive Director, the Rev. Dr. Ben Huelskamp, will explore the often silent and silenced voices of LGBTQIA+ Christians whose experience is in both the church and the LGBTQIA+ community. Deeply faithful, positively Queer, and a bit irreverent, we invite you to join us on this journey.
During the last month, Siobhan and Ben have already recorded seven episodes! Are you an LGBTQIA+ person with a background (current or former) in Christianity? Would you be willing to share your experience? Let us know! Send Ben an email at bhuelskamp@loveboldly.net.
The podcast will launch and the first episode will premiere on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025. Our hope is to publish new episodes every week thereafter. Follow along as we prepare at www.loveboldly.net/comingoutchristian.
“We're Here, We've Always Been Here, and We're Not Going Anywhere”
LOVEboldly's executive director, the Rev. Dr. Ben Huelskamp, will offer a three-part webinar series this Spring on the LGBTQIA+ community in Christianity. Each part will be presented live and recorded following this schedule:
“We're Here” - Tuesday, April 29, 7pm - “LGBTQIA+ 101 - A Refresher and a Great Place to Start”
“We've Always Been Here” - Tuesday, May 13, 7pm - “We're Not Ashamed: LGBTQIA+ People and the American Church”
“We're Not Going Anywhere!” - Tuesday, May 27, 7pm - “10 Simple Steps Any Church Can Take to Be (More) Affirming”
To register, click the button below.
Pride Month 2025
LOVEboldly is excited to announce that we will be attending at least two Prides this year and will be co-hosting the Pride Interfaith Prayer Service with Stonewall Columbus.
Westerville Pride - June 7 - 5pm to 8pm - Parking lot in front of Birdie Books
Pride Interfaith Prayer Service - June 10 - Sponsored by LOVEboldly and Stonewall Columbus
Columbus Pride - June 13-14 - Goodale Park
GreatNonprofits
If you love our work then tell the world! You have an opportunity to help us make an even bigger difference in our community. GreatNonprofits is honoring highly regarded nonprofits with their 2025 Top-Rated List.
Won’t you help us boost visibility for our work by posting a brief personal story of your experience with us? All content will be visible to potential donors and volunteers. It’s easy and only takes 3 minutes! Go to https://greatnonprofits.org/org/loveboldly-inc to get started!
The Queer Allies Bible - A New Book from LOVEboldly's NV Gay!
“In today's world, there are a lot of opinions and discussions surrounding gender and sexual identity. Whether these conversations are happening in workplaces, legislatures, communities, schools, churches, or on social media, many are taking place without the voices of those most affected-namely members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Using the actual lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals, The Queer Allies Bible provides a much-needed guide for how to be an effective and affirming LGBTQIA+ ally. Special emphasis is placed on three main pillars: learning and understanding; being respectful; and advocacy. Through these pillars, the book delves into activities and actions that allies can engage in, including conversation starters; responding to anti-LGBTQIA+ remarks; supporting the coming out process; religion; creating inclusive spaces, and more. A necessary book in the present climate, The Queer Allies Bible is a multi-generational resource designed to educate people to be inclusive, accepting, and affirming LGBTQIA+ allies.”
Purchase from Bookshop.org or your local independent bookstore.
The LOVEboldly Devotional and Words Can Crush
The LOVEboldly Devotional (click here) is a 52-week resource written by almost 50 LGBTQIA+ and Allied people of faith. We’re happy to offer the devotional in a number of formats, including virtual, hard copy, and serial via email.
Expanded for 2025, Words Can Crush (click here) continues the legacy of this signature resource by offering a comprehensive look at terms used within and about the LGBTQIA+ community. We hope this resource will be helpful to anyone new to the LGBTQIA+ community and offer new ways to address problematic language.
Thank you so much for reading the whole newsletter! Want to keep seeing content like this? Donate to LOVEboldly today!