| Justin Lee (born September 7, 1977) is the founder of the Gay Christian Network (GCN), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides resources and support to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Christians. According to the GCN website, "We also work with churches and other Christian organizations to help educate the Christian community about sexual orientation issues from a Biblical standpoint." In August 2001, Lee founded GCN to "build a supportive community to support fellow gay Christians in their Christian walks." In an interview for CNN, Lee explained the purpose of the organization: "We're just trying to get people together who experience attraction to the same sex, however they have handled that, and who love Jesus and say, OK, you are welcome here, and then let's pray together and figure out where God wants us to take it." Lee is recognizable for his baldness and noticeable lack of eyebrows due to alopecia areata, a condition he has had since childhood. He is also the director of a 2009 documentary, Through My Eyes, which explores the struggles of young gay Christians, and the author of the 2012 book Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate, published by Hachette Book Group. |
To queer or not to queer, that is the question
Long before the Supreme Court ruling, in 2001, Justin Lee launched an online community to support gay Christians. In time, that community morphed into a national organization called the Gay Christian Network. GCN held conferences and gathered people online and in person for learning and fellowship. Lee and GCN defined two types of gay Christians: “On one side are those who are in gay relationships or hope to be some day. On the other side are those who view their same-sex attractions as a temptation and strive to live celibate lives. We call these views Side A and Side B.” The label of “Side B Christians” gave voice to a group of sincere believers who realized it was not their choice to be gay or lesbian but determined the Bible directed them not to act on those sexual desires. (Baptist News Global 3/5/24) READMORE>>>>>
Long before the Supreme Court ruling, in 2001, Justin Lee launched an online community to support gay Christians. In time, that community morphed into a national organization called the Gay Christian Network. GCN held conferences and gathered people online and in person for learning and fellowship. Lee and GCN defined two types of gay Christians: “On one side are those who are in gay relationships or hope to be some day. On the other side are those who view their same-sex attractions as a temptation and strive to live celibate lives. We call these views Side A and Side B.” The label of “Side B Christians” gave voice to a group of sincere believers who realized it was not their choice to be gay or lesbian but determined the Bible directed them not to act on those sexual desires. (Baptist News Global 3/5/24) READMORE>>>>>
Mar 27, 2015: Campus ie: When Christianity meets LGBTQ
After joining her new church she started what she describes as “really digging into” the parts of the Bible which traditionally condemn homosexuality and homosexual behaviour. She then began reading the work of the head of the Gay Christian Network, Justin Lee, as well as the work of Matthew Vines.
After joining her new church she started what she describes as “really digging into” the parts of the Bible which traditionally condemn homosexuality and homosexual behaviour. She then began reading the work of the head of the Gay Christian Network, Justin Lee, as well as the work of Matthew Vines.
Sept 3, 2014: Justin Lee: Huffington Post: Did Daniel Pierce's Coming-Out Video Upset You? Here Are 5 Things You Can Do
Mar 10, 2014: Dan Calabrese: Responding to the demands of the ‘Gay Christian Network’ guy
Why yes, Justin Lee, I do love gay people. I love them because God loves them, and that is all the reason I need.
Oct 21, 2013: MLive: Gay Christian Network founder coming to Grand Rapids to say church should 'agree to disagree'
Justin Lee disagrees with people who think the Bible prohibits monogamous same-sex relationships. But that’s beside the point for The Gay Christian Network founder, who is scheduled to speak in Grand Rapids this week.
Mar 10, 2014: Dan Calabrese: Responding to the demands of the ‘Gay Christian Network’ guy
Why yes, Justin Lee, I do love gay people. I love them because God loves them, and that is all the reason I need.
Oct 21, 2013: MLive: Gay Christian Network founder coming to Grand Rapids to say church should 'agree to disagree'
Justin Lee disagrees with people who think the Bible prohibits monogamous same-sex relationships. But that’s beside the point for The Gay Christian Network founder, who is scheduled to speak in Grand Rapids this week.
Feb 26, 2013: Religion Dispatches: God Will Not Make You Straight: An Interview with GCN’s Justin Lee
Despite having lived openly as a gay man for years, Justin Lee says he still speaks fluent “Evangelical Christianese.”
Despite having lived openly as a gay man for years, Justin Lee says he still speaks fluent “Evangelical Christianese.”
Dec 9, 2012: NPR: 'Torn': Living As An Openly Gay Christian
Lee formed the Gay Christian Network in 2001 to try and help other gay Christian kids and their families talk to one another, as well as with their respective churches.
Nov 27, 2012: Raw Story: Gay Christian Network founder: Ex-gay therapy is spiritual abuse
Justin Lee, founder of the Gay Christian Network, said Tuesday he was convinced that so-called ex-gay or reparative therapy didn’t work and was often harmful.
Lee formed the Gay Christian Network in 2001 to try and help other gay Christian kids and their families talk to one another, as well as with their respective churches.
Nov 27, 2012: Raw Story: Gay Christian Network founder: Ex-gay therapy is spiritual abuse
Justin Lee, founder of the Gay Christian Network, said Tuesday he was convinced that so-called ex-gay or reparative therapy didn’t work and was often harmful.
May 31, 2012: YOUTUBE: Justin Lee, author of Torn: Rescuing the Gospel From the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate
Torn: Rescuing the Gospel From the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate, by Justin Lee
Sept 19, 2011: Rachel Held Evans: Ask a Gay Christian...(Response)
Last week I introduced you to Justin Lee, the director of The Gay Christian Network (GCN), a nonprofit organization serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Christians and those who love them. Justin is also the director of "Through My Eyes," a documentary about young gay Christians, and the co-host of GCN Radio, a popular podcast on issues of faith and sexuality. He blogs at Crumbs from the Communion Table.
Torn: Rescuing the Gospel From the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate, by Justin Lee
Sept 19, 2011: Rachel Held Evans: Ask a Gay Christian...(Response)
Last week I introduced you to Justin Lee, the director of The Gay Christian Network (GCN), a nonprofit organization serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Christians and those who love them. Justin is also the director of "Through My Eyes," a documentary about young gay Christians, and the co-host of GCN Radio, a popular podcast on issues of faith and sexuality. He blogs at Crumbs from the Communion Table.