Douglas Abbott is a candidate in the Masters program in Theology and the Arts at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, New Brighton, MN. Douglas is also a visual artist, primarily working with deep-relief cast handmade paper combined with welded metal. He is a member of First Universalist Church of Minneapolis.

Laci Lee Adams is a queer, white, Cajun woman. She is both a student at Iliff School of Theology and the minister of community discipleship at Warren United Methodist Church.

Rachel Allen is a recent graduate from Iliff School of Theology, pursuing ordination in the United Methodist Church. She is a Caucasian straight supporter who recently moved to southern California to work in youth and young adult ministries.

Rev. Kharma Amos is the pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia in Fairfax, and is a current student in the Doctor of Ministry Program at the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass.

Rev. April Baker is one of the pastors of Glendale Baptist Church in Nashville. She has served on the board of directors of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America and is a member of the Alliance of Baptists. She is one of the few out lesbians within the Alliance of Baptists. Part of her work with these two organizations has included working with others to coordinate a retreat that was the basis for the feature article "Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth: A Resource for Congregations in Dialogue on Sexual Orientation."

Rev. Dr. Bentley de Bardelaben is an ordained United Church of Christ minister. An experienced pastor, de Bardelaben was recently appointed minister for racial justice in the Justice and Witness Ministries Office of the United Church of Christ, Cleveland.

Rev. Sharon A. Benton is the associate minister at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ in Fort Collins, Colorado. Plymouth is her first congregation after serving several years in chaplaincy. She and her partner, Jamie Kepros, are learning what it will mean to each be a "postmodern pastor's wife" as Kepros also prepares for ordained ministry.

Julianne Buenting is preparing for ordination to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church, U.S.A. She is concurrently a Master of Divinity student at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. student at Chicago Theological Seminary. Her research focuses on theology, ethics, and queer theory.

Rev. Sarah Carpenter-Vascik was raised in a pre Vatican II Catholic household, but left the Roman Catholic Church in 1966. She was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 1996, but is not affiliated with any denomination at the current time. She is a Biomedical Engineering Technician at the University of Vermont, where she transitioned male to female in 2005. Reverend Carpenter is also a transgender activist, providing training on transgender issues in education and the workplace, both on and off campus and is working on a GLBT guide to the Bible.

Dr. Alma Faith Crawford is associate professor of preaching and worship at Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, CA. A minister with standing with the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association, she describes herself as an "in the life" African biblical theologian. She is the mother of Elizabeth, a six year old womanist.

Anne Dunlap is a second-year student at Iliff School of Theology in Denver. Along with other Iliff students, she was invited to participate in Out In Scripture by her professor and Out In Scripture editorial advisory board member, the Rev. Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre. Dunlap is a lesbian, passionately in love with her partner of 12 years. Dunlap’s particular theological interests include recovering the Bible as a source for community-building and justice-making for the progressive church, and the use of liturgy/ritual/sacrament in the struggle for peace and justice. Dunlap is seeking ordination in the United Church of Christ.

Rev. Dr. Mary Foulke is senior associate for Christian formation at the Church of St. Luke in the Fields (Episcopal), New York City. She also serves as chaplain at St. Luke’s School and as adjunct professor of pastoral theology at General Theological Seminary, New York City.

Rev. Jennifer Glass serves on staff as the Rock the World pastor at Vision of Hope Metropolitan Community Church in Mountville, PA, and is the administrative assistant for Metropolitan Community Church Region 3, working with Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman. She graduated from Lancaster Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity degree in 2005. She also earned a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College in 1997. Jen and her partner Maria share their home with 8 of God's creatures, 3 dogs and 5 cats.

Rev. Robert Griffin is the special assistant to the presiding elder/moderator of the Metropolitan Community Churches, program director for the Office of Clergy Development and is part of the pastoral staff at the Sunshine Cathedral, Metropolitan Community Church, in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Originally licensed in the Baptist denomination in 1984, he transferred his credentials to MCC in 1996. He holds a Master of Divinity from the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA, and is a student in the Doctor of Ministry Program at the Florida Center for Theological Studies in Miami, FL. He and his partner, Durrell Watkins, reside in Wilton Manors, FL.

Dr. Scott Haldeman is associate professor of worship at Chicago Theolo¬gical Seminary, Chicago. Specializing in the history, theology and practice of US Protestant worship, Scott is also interested in the less formal ways human being ritualize themselves in relation to various categories of identity, such as gender and sexuality. A recent example of his work in queer religious studies is “A Queer Fidelity: Re-inventing Christian Marriage” in Theology and Sexuality, 13(2): 173-88.

Kim Hearn received her Master’s of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology. She is currently pursuing and advanced degree in the area of Christian Sociology and Ethics called the Master’s of Theological Studies. She works with the Fund for Theological Education. She has dedicated her life to lobbying and fighting for the human rights of all.

Deirdre Hinz is a student in the Master of Divinity program at United Theological Seminary, New Brighton, MN, where she also completed her M.A. in Religion and Theology in 2005. She is a member of the Wider Church Ministries board of directors, a covenanted ministry of the United Church of Christ. Deirdre is also interning at University Baptist Church, a Welcoming and Affirming congregation in Minneapolis. She is a member of Mayim Rabim, a Reconstructionist Jewish congregation in Southeast Minneapolis, with her partner, Abbey, whose interfaith insight is a constant source of blessing.

Dr. David O. Jenkins is director of the Faith and the City Program, lecturer in Church and Community and co-director of Contextual Education at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta.

Elcindor Johnson is a recent graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. His academic interests center on the intersection of theology with issues of sexuality and gender. He is an active member of Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, D.C.

Rev. Shonda Jones is an elder in The United Methodist Church from the North Texas Annual Conference. The Rev. Jones, assistant dean of admissions and financial aid at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, is involved in recruitment, admissions, financial aid and student life. She has a long history of working with HIV/AIDS agencies and advocating for equal rights among all people.

Dr. Mark Jordan is Asa Griggs Candler Professor at Emory University. His academic interests circle around the performance of religious identities, Christian teachings on sex and the varieties of theological rhetoric.

Rev. Eun-sang Lee is a straight Asian-American male clergyperson serving Warren United Methodist Church, a reconciling congregation in Denver.

Rev. Dr. Mark Lee is a retired Metropolitan Community Church minister, having served churches in Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota. He recently earned his doctorate of ministry at Iliff School of Theology which included completing his thesis, "Hearing the Eunuch's Children: Preaching in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Communities."

Derek Krehbiel is a United Church of Christ seminarian at Iliff School of Theology and student of the Rev. Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre, editorial advisory board member of Out In Scripture. Krehbiel is currently the associate pastor of Henderson Community Church in Henderson, Colorado. Krehbiel is also married to the Rev. Darlene Avery, and draws much wisdom and insight from their relationship.

Lorraine Leist is a Caucasian, United Church of Christ, bisexual student at Iliff School of Theology in Denver. She is mother to a young son, and is passionate about the intersections of justice, identity and Christianity.

Rev. Carol Leah Lewis, J.D. is pursuing the Doctor of Philosophy at Emory University specializing in African Diasporic theology and homiletics. She holds degrees from Yale University School of Divinity, Howard University School of Law and Bowling Green State University. Her research involves the religious experience of Baptists of African descent in Brazil, Ghana and North America.

Eu Kit Lim (Kit) is a straight man from Malaysia of Chinese descent. He became a Christian during his senior year at college. Currently he is pursuing a doctorate degree at the Iliff School of Theology and the University of Denver with interests in social justice, liberation theology, Latin American social movements and reconciliation between liberal and conservative Christians.

Jill Marshall is currently pursuing the Master of Theology degree, with a focus in New Testament and early Christian history, at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. She has a Master’s from Candler School of Theology, Emory University.

Sheena Mayrant received her Master of Divinity at Columbia Theological Seminary in May 2007. She is currently a Fellow of the Black Women in Ministerial Leadership Program administered by the The Office of Black Women in Church and Society at the Interdenominational Theological Seminary, Atlanta, GA. Sheena is a straight woman who enjoys working with urban ministries in an international context.

Dr. Rev. Kathy McCallie currently serves as pastor of Church of the Open Arms United Church of Christ in Oklahoma City. Kathy has been an activist for human rights and justice issues for many years. She has served as the chairperson of the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, and the Clergy Coalition for Human Rights. Kathy's favorite volunteer work has been with the Peace House and RAIN, Regional AIDS Interfaith Network. Kathy is a proud mother of three children and an avid gardener. She enjoys reading feminist novels and listening to Mozart.

Rev. Rich McCarty is a Ph.D. candidate in the department of religious studies at the University of Iowa, co-moderator of the Holy Relationships National Steering Committee and an ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America. McCarty is writing a dissertation on Thomas Aquinas and the virtue of temperance as it relates to sexual ethics.

Rev. Lori McPherson is a pastoral assistant serving on the staff of Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, D.C. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary, where she received a master’s of divinity degree in 2007. McPherson is also an attorney who works at the National District Attorneys Association, where she specializes in the prosecution of online crimes against children.

Sean McRoberts is a straight male supporter in LGBT work. He is a United Methodist student at Iliff School of Theology and a former student minister at Warren United Methodist Church.

Manuel Villalobos Mendoza is a Ph.D. student in New Testament at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, and a Roman Catholic priest. Formerly from Mexico, he works to initiate dialogue that breaks boundaries separating North and South, among those struggling against poverty, exclusion, and sexual injustice.

Nate Metrick is a M.Div. student at Chicago Theology Seminary, hoping to one day work in parish ministry. Nate is perpetually both queer and questioning, is a member of Hope Church in Boston (United Church of Christ and Christian Church/Disciples of Christ) and seeks to incorporate biking, television and gender-queerness into any future ministries.

Dr. Virginia Ramey Mollenkott is professor emeritus at William Paterson University, Wayne, N.J. She is author of numerous books including Omnigender: A Trans-Religious Approach and is co-author with Letha Scanzoni of the classic Is the Homosexual My Neighbor?

Dr. Namsoon Kang is associate professor of World Christianity and Religions at Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University. She has taught previously at the University of Cambridge in England, and in Korea. She has been actively involved in global ecumenical and peace movements.

Dr. Michael Miller is a straight man and ally who teaches philosophical and systematic theology at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. Among his upcoming publications is the work Reshaping the Contextual Vision in Caribbean Theology.

Rev. Irene Monroe is author who has been published in numerous journals, publications and books. She writes from a lesbian standpoint in the weekly column "The Religion Thang," found in Newsweekly, the largest LGBT newspaper that circulates widely throughout New England. She also writes "Faith Matters" for The Advocate and "Queer Take" for The Witness, a progressive Episcopalian journal. Her writings have appeared in the Boston Herald and in Boston Globe. Her award-winning essay, "Louis Farrakhan's Ministry of Misogyny and Homophobia" was noted with critical acclaim.

Rev. Vanessa E. Owen is an out lesbian and ordained United Church of Christ pastor currently serving as staff chaplain at the Children's Hospital in Denver. She is especially interested in helping a new vision of the church to emerge, keeping Scripture, sacrament, liturgy and ritual as central tools for enacting the peace of God. She is honored to be on the journey with her partner and blessed by the companionship of their two dogs and two cats.

Kimberly R. Peeler is pursuing doctoral studies in New Testament at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. Her interests are themes of discipleship in the Gospel of John.

Rev. Ken Pilot is an ordained minister in the Metropolitan Community Churches, serving as senior pastor of MCC Family in Christ in Fort Collins, Colorado. He also serves on the denomination's Board of Pensions and as mentor in the Church Revitalization Initiative.

Dr. Alton B. Pollard III is director of the Black Church Studies Program and associate professor of religion and culture at Candler School of Theology and the Graduate Division of Religion at Emory University in Atlanta.

Rev. Donna M. Prince is a trained chaplain who has served in hospitals and in a nursing home for persons with HIV/AIDS. A passionate spokesperson for economic justice, she brings a womanist voice to conversations, challenging the church to fierce and tender action on behalf of those without voice. An entrepreneur in New York City, she is the founder of “Graceful Life Coaching” and manages several internet businesses.

Jennifer Pope is a Ph.D. student at Chicago Theological Seminary whose research focuses on Christology and queer theory. She holds a Master's degree in theological studies from North Park Theological Seminary and serves as the director of the International Office at North Park University. She is a member of Broadway United Methodist Church in Chicago.

Vernice L. Thorn is an itinerant elder ordained in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, currently serving as the associate pastor of Broadway United Methodist Church in Chicago. Her primary focus is on spiritual formation and confronting racism, sexism, heterosexism and other forms of oppression. Vernice serves on the national board of Church within a Church, a progressive Methodist movement dedicated to being an inclusive church.

Rev. Dr. Ann Holmes Redding is a straight supporter of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. She currently serves as director of faith formation at Saint Mark’s Cathedral and as adjunct faculty at Seattle University in Seattle. Redding is a New Testament scholar who has taught in theological schools in New York City and at Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta.

Rev. Caroline Redfearn is an ordained minister with the Metropolitan Community Church. She pastors with black people’s ministry in MCC (Region 4) and through the on-line ministry at www.blackpeoplesministries.com. Currently she is completing her Ph.D. at Birmingham University, England, researching homophobia and the Black Church.

Rev. Dr. Wayne A. Reed is a gay religious educator who is active in social justice ministry at Park Avenue Christian Church in New York City. He is currently assistant professor of education at Brooklyn College (City University of New York) and is involved in action-based research on education and poverty.

Sara Rosenau tries to keep her identity as the beloved of God at the center of her life. After that, she is a white bisexual theologian-in-training at Iliff School of Theology in Denver. Rosenau joyfully lives with her partner, Kathleen, and their dog, Finn, in Denver. She was invited to be a conversation partner in Out In Scripture by her professor and Out In Scripture editorial advisory board member the Rev. Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre.

Dr. Helene Tallon Russell is assistant professor of theology at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. Her areas of special interests include feminist theology, process thought, Soren Kierkegaard and concepts of selfhood. She lives in Indianapolis with her parrot Tangelo.

Dr. Timothy J. Sandoval is associate professor of Hebrew Bible at Chicago Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois. Sandoval’s research has focused on Israelite and ancient Jewish Wisdom Literature and he is the author of The Discourse of Wealth and Poverty in the Book of Proverbs. He has offered courses on “intertestamental” literature, the Bible and economic ethics as well as the Bible and immigration.

Deacon Jack Seymour is a member of the Episcopal Church, U.S.A. and a Master of Arts student at Chicago Theological Seminary. Jack’s ministry has been focused on individuals in crisis or contemplating life changes.

Arlie Sims is a student in the Master of Divinity program at Chicago Theological Seminary and a member of Broadway United Methodist Church in Chicago where he serves as Broadway Authorized Minister, serving in a pastoral role while remaining open in his identity as a gay man in spite of denominational prohibitions against the ordination of out gay and lesbian persons.

Rev. Shively T. J. Smith is a student in the Master’s of Theological Studies Program at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, where her focus is on New Testament studies.

Rev. Dr. Stephen V. Sprinkle is director of field education and supervised ministry, and associate professor of Practical Theology at Brite Divinity School, Fort Worth, a post he has held since 1994. An ordained Baptist minister, he is the first open and out gay scholar in the history of Brite Divinity School, and the first open and out LGBT person to be tenured there.

Rev. Dr. Marti J. Steussy, MacAllister-Petticrew professor of biblical interpretation at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, is an ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Her book publications include Psalms (2004), David: Biblical Portraits of Power (1999) and Gardens in Babylon: Narrative and Faith in the Greek Legends of Daniel (1993), as well as two science fiction novels.

Vernice L. Thorn is an itinerant elder ordained in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, currently serving as the associate pastor of Broadway United Methodist Church in Chicago. Her primary focus is on spiritual formation and confronting racism, sexism, heterosexism and other forms of oppression. Vernice serves on the national board of Church within a Church, a progressive Methodist movement dedicated to being an inclusive church.

Dr. Holly Toensing is assistant professor in the department of theology at Xavier University in Cincinnati. A New Testament scholar, she is also program chair for the Society of Biblical Literature’s LGBTQ Hermeneutics Consultation.

Pastor Joseph Tolton enjoys a three-faceted career serving the gay and lesbian community as a voice for spiritual freedom, social justice and economic empowerment. As a professional man of faith, Tolton is the pastor of Rehoboth Temple Christ Conscious Church where he seeks to empower all people with the transformative power of the Gospel and to nurture disciples of Christ in the Pentecostal Apostolic tradition. As a public advocate, Tolton serves as director of the REVIVAL Initiative. He is also the managing director of Blur Advertising, a full-service brand development and marketing communications firm. Tolton received his bachelor's degree in religion from Vassar College and his master's of business administration in management from Columbia University Business School.

Rev. Dr. D. Mark Wilson is an ordained American Baptist minister and former pastor of McGee Avenue Baptist Church in Berkeley, CA. He is a graduate of Howard University, Harvard Divinity School and the University of Michigan, where he received his Ph.D. in Sociology. Rev. Dr. Wilson is currently the assistant professor in Ministry and Congregational Leadership at the Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, and a lecturer in the Department of Sociology, at the University of California Berkeley.

Rev. S. David Wynn, Sr.  holds a masters of theological studies degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Wynn has been a pastor in Metropolitan Community Churches more than 10 years. Wynn came out as transgender in November 2003. He currently serves as the associate pastor at Church of the Trinity, Metropolitan Community Church, in Sarasota, Fla.

Rev. Bridgette D. Young is the senior associate dean of the chapel and religious life at Emory University in Atlanta. She has a long-standing alliance with the LGBT community through her role as a chaplain, helping students cultivate a healthy view of how both sexuality and spirituality contribute to one's wholeness.

Rev. Jacquie Church Young is co-director of Leadership Now: Spiritual Formation with Youth at Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, Pa. She is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.

Yvonne Zimmerman is a doctoral candidate in the religion and social change concentration of the joint Ph.D. in religious and theological studies at Iliff School of Theology and University of Denver. She is also a member of the adjunct faculty at the University of Denver and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.