Sacred Queer Stories: Ugandan LGBTQ+ Refugee Lives & the Bible

Sacred Queer Stories is a book that presents the personal life stories of Ugandan LGBTQ+ refugees in Nairobi,Kenya,and analyzes how they creatively engaged with two Bible stories. It argues that the telling of life-stories of marginalized people affirms embodied existence and agency, empowers social and political change, and enables human solidarity. The book is the result of a collaborative project between UK-based academics and a Nairobi-based organization of Ugandan LGBTQ+ refugees and provides a valuable insight into the narrative politics and theologies of LGBTQ+ life-storytelling.

Format: Hardback
Length: 282 pages
Publication date: 20 August 2021
Publisher: James Currey

Sacred Queer Stories is a groundbreaking work that delves into the intricate narrative politics and theologies of LGBTQ+ life-storytelling, offering invaluable insights for scholars in African Humanities, Queer Studies, Religious Studies, and Refugee Studies. Through the poignant personal narratives of Ugandan LGBTQ+ refugees residing in Nairobi, Kenya, the book explores how these individuals creatively engaged with two biblical stories: Daniel in the Lions' Den (Old Testament) and Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery (New Testament). By analyzing the process through which they interpreted and reimagined these stories, Sacred Queer Stories sheds light on the experiences, hopes, and faith of these marginalized individuals.

The authors argue that the telling of life-stories of marginalized groups, such as Ugandan LGBTQ+ refugees, not only affirms their embodied existence and agency but also holds significant social and political power. It empowers individuals by fostering human solidarity and challenging dominant narratives. Moreover, the book demonstrates how the Bible, as an authoritative religious text and a popular cultural archive in Africa, is often used against LGBTQ+ individuals but can also be reclaimed as a site of meaning, healing, and empowerment.

The result of a collaborative project between UK-based academics and a Nairobi-based organization of Ugandan LGBTQ+ refugees, Sacred Queer Stories employs an innovative methodology of inter-reading queer life-stories and biblical stories. This approach offers a fresh perspective on the intersection of religion, sexuality, and identity, challenging traditional understandings and promoting a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of the human experience.

In conclusion, Sacred Queer Stories is a must-read for scholars and researchers interested in exploring the narrative politics and theologies of LGBTQ+ life-storytelling. Its innovative methodology and compelling personal narratives provide a valuable contribution to the field, offering insights that will resonate with scholars across various disciplines. By reclaiming the Bible as a site of meaning and empowerment, the book contributes to the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and equality worldwide.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781847012838