"My Faith Side And My Queer Side" - with Crystal Cheatham

Lost Spaces: Memories from Gay Bars, Lesbian Clubs, and LGBTQ+ Parties

I have a fairly straightforward relationship with religion in that... well, I don't have one.

I wasn't brought up religious, I've never dabbled in religiousity, and it's never seemed to be something that particularly drew me in.

Where it's a bit more fuzzy for me is when talking about the intersection between queerness and religiousness.

It'll come as no surprise to you when I say that most religions take a fairly strong stance when it comes to queerness (and that stance isn't one of embrace and love).

And, so, I was always so baffled by people who were both religious and queer, and how they found ways to balance both of those identities. I thought they were in denial or trying to please everyone or trying to be a 'respectable' gay.

But, my views have changed - as I get older I can understand how useful religion can be (and, on top of that, it's kind of none of my business if someone else wants to be religious).

I'm telling you all of this because this week I had a really interesting conversation with Crystal Cheatham, who is the founder and CEO of the OurBible app, an app for progressive Christians that she developed when she got fed-up of the homophobic BS she was encountering on other mainstream apps.

We caught up to talk about the lesbian bar Sisters, which was in Philadelphia, USA, that she started going to when she was but a little gay-by.

And, I think you're going to enjoy this conversation. I personally got a lot of insight, and a new perspective, on how to hold religious views alongside your rampant queerness (!).

Do you have any memories of Sisters?, or clubbing from your own scene that you want to share? Well, if you have please get in touch - I want to create the biggest online record of people's memories and stories - go to www.lostspacespodcast.com and find the section 'Share a Lost Space' and tell me what you got up to! Bonus points for embarrassing photos!

You can also find me on Facebook (www.facebook.com/lostspacespod), Instagram (www.instagram.com/lostspacespod) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/lostspacespod)

Find out more about Crystal by following her on X (https://twitter.com/crystalcheatham) or visiting her website (https://www.crystalcheatham.me/)/ Or, if it tickles your fancy why not download the Our Bible app, which is a community space for people who identify as spiritual but not religious, progressive Christian, or nothing at all.

Key takeaways

• Lesbian bars can be lively and sometimes chaotic spaces, where unexpected and outrageous things can happen.
• Moving to a new city can provide opportunities for self-discovery and exploration of one's identity.
• Reconciling faith and sexuality can be a challenging process, but there are affirming religious spaces available.
• Fighting for LGBTQ+ rights and challenging conservative ideologies can be fuelled by anger and a desire for change.
• The first experiences of attraction to women can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, but they can also lead to meaningful connections. The closure of Sisters, a lesbian bar in Philadelphia, had a significant impact on the LGBTQ+ community, resulting in the loss of a cultural hub and safe space.
• Crystal's journey with religion and spirituality led her to create an inclusive app (OurBible) that reflects her own beliefs and experiences.
• Family acceptance and support are crucial for LGBTQ+ individuals, and while some family members may struggle with acceptance, it is important to prioritise self-care and set boundaries.
• Self-discovery and personal growth are essential for embracing one's sexuality and spirituality, and it is important to live in the present moment and not worry about others' opinions.