Tiq is a member of our community. The story of his mother’s Revolutionary Love is SO moving. A beacon for all of us. This story NEEDS to be told, to be heard. It heals. 🏳️⚧️❤️✊🏾 Link in bio to Freedom Rising Conference April 26-28th where he will be speaking. I am so in awe, so grateful r/p @themrmilan & @mothstories: ************* When my mother was dying she said she wanted her funeral to be “real sad.” Lol She said she didn’t want people laughing and joking about how she great life was with her, she wanted us to mourn that she was dead. And that we did. Her funeral was one of the saddest events of my life. I know she’s tickled to know that I tell her story all over the country. Over 13 cities. And when I leave the stage there is barely a dry eye in the building because everyone is so sad that she is gone. 💜🕊️ Thank you @mothstories for the opportunity for my dear mother to live and be mourned by thousands through storytelling. “In “Ms. Mary,” Tiq Milan, who is featuring in our forthcoming anthology, A Point of Beauty, shares the story of transitioning and the support he received from his mother. Go to @mothstories for full snippet. 😊 Here’s a preview of his story. Read this story and more in A Point of Beauty: True Stories of Holding On and Letting Go out 3.19.24. Preorder at the link in bio or wherever you get your books!” @mothstories , . . . . . . . . #transisbeautiful #mothersandsons #transman #transmenofig #transisbeautiful #godislove #fiercelove #loveperiod #freedomrising #tiqmilan #mothstories #progressivechristianity
Loving the comments on this on tweet. Accepting and celebrating all people brings a richness to the world that white-supremacy cannot abide by because it demands that only “whiteness” is worthiness. In the end white supremacy robs us all of a vibrant and colorful world with endless possibilities. #GodIsLove #GrownUpGod #BlackAllWays #AllWaysBlack #StayWoke
Loving the comments on this on tweet. Accepting and celebrating all people brings a richness to the world that white-supremacy cannot abide by because it demands that only “whiteness” is worthiness. In the end white supremacy robs us all of a vibrant and colorful world with endless possibilities. #GodIsLove #GrownUpGod #BlackAllWays #AllWaysBlack #StayWoke
Loving the comments on this on tweet. Accepting and celebrating all people brings a richness to the world that white-supremacy cannot abide by because it demands that only “whiteness” is worthiness. In the end white supremacy robs us all of a vibrant and colorful world with endless possibilities. #GodIsLove #GrownUpGod #BlackAllWays #AllWaysBlack #StayWoke
America has a problem, indeed. May we never stop speaking truth to power. May we free ourselves of the lie so that we can build the land of freedom that we claim to be, but never have been for anyone (starting with our indigenous siblings). What affects one of us affects all of us. And oh how beautiful we could all be together ❤️✊🏾 #BlackAllWays #AlwaysBlack #BlackHistoryMonth #GodIsLove #FierceLove #RevDrJacquiLewis
John asked me to marry him on Valentine’s Day in 2005. We had an intimate, sweet wedding @middlechurch. In my book, Fierce Love, I write about how full of love our wedding was: art-filled and full of a “rainbow tribe” of friends. As true as our love was, and as sure as I was that John was and always would be “my person,” my father chose to not come to our wedding because he disapproved of my marrying a white man, and a white man who was older than me at that. Time doesn’t heal all wounds, truth does. And rather than building resentment or pushing things under the rug, John bravely decided that we should travel to Chicago to see my father before our honeymoon- to understand whatever it was that made him feel like he could not accept us as a couple. To be honest. To tell the truth. Daddy & John talked. They shared life stories. They saw each other as humans. They eventually became friends. I believe that all love is beautiful. Real love heals. Whether you are in a same-race relationship or an interracial relationship, there are challenges and gifts. Some of the challenges that John and I face are external (yup, in 2024 some people STILL don’t want to celebrate an interracial couple). And some are internal (We love one another but we are people with our “stuff.”) John is my forever Valentine because he and I live our TRUTH together. Our love asks us to love bigger, deeper, more truthfully. Of all the choices I have made in life, John is my very best choice of all. #ValentinesDay #LoveIsLove #InterracialMarriage #LovePeriod #BlackAllWays #AllWaysBlack #LovingvsVirginia
John asked me to marry him on Valentine’s Day in 2005. We had an intimate, sweet wedding @middlechurch. In my book, Fierce Love, I write about how full of love our wedding was: art-filled and full of a “rainbow tribe” of friends. As true as our love was, and as sure as I was that John was and always would be “my person,” my father chose to not come to our wedding because he disapproved of my marrying a white man, and a white man who was older than me at that. Time doesn’t heal all wounds, truth does. And rather than building resentment or pushing things under the rug, John bravely decided that we should travel to Chicago to see my father before our honeymoon- to understand whatever it was that made him feel like he could not accept us as a couple. To be honest. To tell the truth. Daddy & John talked. They shared life stories. They saw each other as humans. They eventually became friends. I believe that all love is beautiful. Real love heals. Whether you are in a same-race relationship or an interracial relationship, there are challenges and gifts. Some of the challenges that John and I face are external (yup, in 2024 some people STILL don’t want to celebrate an interracial couple). And some are internal (We love one another but we are people with our “stuff.”) John is my forever Valentine because he and I live our TRUTH together. Our love asks us to love bigger, deeper, more truthfully. Of all the choices I have made in life, John is my very best choice of all. #ValentinesDay #LoveIsLove #InterracialMarriage #LovePeriod #BlackAllWays #AllWaysBlack #LovingvsVirginia
John asked me to marry him on Valentine’s Day in 2005. We had an intimate, sweet wedding @middlechurch. In my book, Fierce Love, I write about how full of love our wedding was: art-filled and full of a “rainbow tribe” of friends. As true as our love was, and as sure as I was that John was and always would be “my person,” my father chose to not come to our wedding because he disapproved of my marrying a white man, and a white man who was older than me at that. Time doesn’t heal all wounds, truth does. And rather than building resentment or pushing things under the rug, John bravely decided that we should travel to Chicago to see my father before our honeymoon- to understand whatever it was that made him feel like he could not accept us as a couple. To be honest. To tell the truth. Daddy & John talked. They shared life stories. They saw each other as humans. They eventually became friends. I believe that all love is beautiful. Real love heals. Whether you are in a same-race relationship or an interracial relationship, there are challenges and gifts. Some of the challenges that John and I face are external (yup, in 2024 some people STILL don’t want to celebrate an interracial couple). And some are internal (We love one another but we are people with our “stuff.”) John is my forever Valentine because he and I live our TRUTH together. Our love asks us to love bigger, deeper, more truthfully. Of all the choices I have made in life, John is my very best choice of all. #ValentinesDay #LoveIsLove #InterracialMarriage #LovePeriod #BlackAllWays #AllWaysBlack #LovingvsVirginia
John asked me to marry him on Valentine’s Day in 2005. We had an intimate, sweet wedding @middlechurch. In my book, Fierce Love, I write about how full of love our wedding was: art-filled and full of a “rainbow tribe” of friends. As true as our love was, and as sure as I was that John was and always would be “my person,” my father chose to not come to our wedding because he disapproved of my marrying a white man, and a white man who was older than me at that. Time doesn’t heal all wounds, truth does. And rather than building resentment or pushing things under the rug, John bravely decided that we should travel to Chicago to see my father before our honeymoon- to understand whatever it was that made him feel like he could not accept us as a couple. To be honest. To tell the truth. Daddy & John talked. They shared life stories. They saw each other as humans. They eventually became friends. I believe that all love is beautiful. Real love heals. Whether you are in a same-race relationship or an interracial relationship, there are challenges and gifts. Some of the challenges that John and I face are external (yup, in 2024 some people STILL don’t want to celebrate an interracial couple). And some are internal (We love one another but we are people with our “stuff.”) John is my forever Valentine because he and I live our TRUTH together. Our love asks us to love bigger, deeper, more truthfully. Of all the choices I have made in life, John is my very best choice of all. #ValentinesDay #LoveIsLove #InterracialMarriage #LovePeriod #BlackAllWays #AllWaysBlack #LovingvsVirginia
I think the latter. Hurt people hurt people. We have to stop the chain of violence and domination and hatred that begets more violence and domination and hatred. God is Love. Period. Where is the love? #GodIsLove #EndHate #FierceLove #RevDrJacquiLewis #LovePeriod #ProgressiveChristianity
Conservative Christians often like to paint Progressives as cherrypickers who use the Bible as we see fit. You asked me questions, and I’m here to answer them. Loved this question that addresses that- What DO we believe as a Progressive multi-ethic, multi-faith, inclusive Christian church? “Q: Does Middle Church have a specific set of beliefs? Regarding such things as whether or not the Bible is the literal sword of God, whether Jesus was human or divine, whether or not Christianity is the only path for salvation, belief in heaven and hell, etc…” Here’s what I had to say about this in my new series: Broken Theology: Fixed It. Thank you all for trusting me with your questions. I’m here for you. DM me and I’ll continue to answer as many of your theology questions as I can. Stay tuned! ❤️✊🏾
“Women are the primary resource of the planet. They give birth, we come from them. They are mothers, they are visionaries, they are the future. If we can figure out how to make women feel safe and honor women, it would be parallel or equal to honoring life itself” V. The woman who wrote Vagina Monologues, the play shattered the silence surrounding women’s bodies and sexuality, igniting a movement for gender equality and inspiring countless WOMYN to reclaim their narratives. V. Who then went on to start V Day, a grassroots global campaign to end violence against women. Writer. Performer. Lover of the Arts. Champion of the unheard. Ally. Reclaimer of her own narrative. Sister. My friend. 💕❤️✊🏾 #Jacqui’sWonderWomen #WomensHistoryMonth #VEnsler #VaginaMonologues #Feminist #FierceLove #VDay #Womyn #WonderWoman #PowerfulWoman @vdayorg @one_billion_rising @cityofjoycongo @eveensler
I have a question, Mr. #mayor: Would Jesus cancel sanctuary in NYC? I think he’d lead with #courage and lean into it. I am beyond frustrated with politicians’ selective use of Christian faith to suit political agendas. From Exodus to Jesus’ teachings, it’s crystal clear: When thousands need help, our obligation to feed, clothe, and house our neighbor trumps political debates. Caring for our fellow neighbors, our siblings, is true worship. That is not progressive, it’s human. Link in bio to my Religious News article. Again, I ask, TRULY if faith is so important to those who say they are Christian, #WhatWOULDJesusDo? Proud of @middlechurch for they ways that our people show up do justice work. ❤️✊🏾 #FaithInAction #MoralObligation #FierceLove #LovePeriod #GodIsLove #Migrants #LoveThyNeighbor #ubuntu
Tituss and I celebrated his birthday a few days late. As always we dropped right into deep, honest, vulnerable, hilarious talk about art, faith and growing up. We are each almost 20 years older than when we met. Yes he has the most incredible voice. Yes he’s just penned music and lyrics for his new show, opening in Atlanta soon (Preacher’s Wife) BUT first he’s my brilliant kind brother. I love him so much. Plus we cute. 💁🏾♂️💁🏾♀️❤️ #ForeverFamily #ChosenFamily #TitussBurgess #HappyBirthday #FierceLove #Celebrate
Drop a 🤫 emoji if you’re ready to “Silence the Snake”. Yesterday, @revjacquilewis took us on a profound journey revealing how traumatized people have weaponized text to divide and isolate communities. Beloved, it’s not only permissible but essential to question what you’ve been taught, to seek clarity where there’s confusion, and to embark on a deeper exploration of biblical text. Click the link in the BIO to experience the full sermon and discover how you can become a chain breaker of traumatized people traumatizing people.
This is a call: Send me your questions about faith, the Bible, intersectionality or religion and I’ll answer as many as I can through videos that I’ll post here. You all have opened your hearts to me about the ways religion has burned you or made you feel left out- it doesn’t have to be that way. God love us all and there is room for all of us. There’s a lot of broken theology out there- let’s fix it. ❤️✊🏾 #ProgressiveChristianity #RevDrJacquiLewis #FierceLove #GodIsLove #FixedIt #GodIsLove #Theology #GodTalk
Good people of moral courage can change the world. Yes, I mean YOU. We do not all need to make noise the same way, but we DO need to speak our truth. Oppression persists because many of us are silenced out of fear. Whether it’s calling your reps about unjust court rulings on IVF in Alabama, protesting the heinous and unfathomable murders of our trans & nonbinary siblings, working for fair treatment of our migrant and immigrant neighbors, writing letters for common sense gun laws, or using your voice for ANY injustice against ANYONE– YOU have the power to be heard. God wants us FREE. God wants us LIBERATED. Use your voice in a way that feels authentic to you. It can be a whisper, it can be a shout, it can be the way you raise your child, or the way you lead a group- but we must speak truth to power to GET US FREE. The folks at @twotp are doing amazing work putting progressive thought into the world. If you enjoyed this video- follow them ❤️✊🏾 # TruthToPower #WWJD #GodIsLove #GrownUpGod #StayWoke #SpeakYourTruth #FierceLove #RevDrJacquiLewis #ProgressiveChristianity #PrayWithYourFeet #GunControl #ProtectTransLives #BlackLivesMatter #EndHate #SpreadLove
Watching someone grow into their fullest authentic self is a GIFT. Can’t say how much I love this man. Can’t say how much his music stirs my soul. I mean, have you heard him???! Join me THIS Wednesday, 2/21 for @ivan_christopher_music & Greater Glory’s “Just As I Am” album release party. Part of the proceeds will support the Middle Rising campaign to rebuild the historic Middle Church in NYC’s East Village. Why? Because THAT is who Ivan is. He gives through his art. And what a gift of a voice he has. There is an option to donate in the ticket link even if you won’t be able to attend. That. Is. LOVE. Date: February 21, 2024 Time: 7:30 P.M. Location: Brooklyn Art Haus
I am honored to be a part of this incredible collection of essays curated by Keisha N. Blain. Black women are often ignored. But not for nothing, we have ALWAYS spoken truth to power. ❤️✊🏾 Using Fannie Lou Hamer’s 1968 call for America to “WAKE UP,” Blain has put some of the most inspiring and influential Black women in the public sphere together in one place with the goal of claiming civil and human rights, build political and economic power, and combat all forms of hate. If there ever was a time to LISTEN to Black women, that time is now. #BelieveBlackWomen #BlackAllWays #AllWaysBlack #BlackHistory Month #BlackHistory #ProgressiveChristianity #FierceLove #GodIsLove #BlackAuthors #BlackVoices #Bookstagram #WhatIAmReading Buy WAKE UP AMERICA here: https://wwnorton.com/books/wake-up-america
I am honored to be a part of this incredible collection of essays curated by Keisha N. Blain. Black women are often ignored. But not for nothing, we have ALWAYS spoken truth to power. ❤️✊🏾 Using Fannie Lou Hamer’s 1968 call for America to “WAKE UP,” Blain has put some of the most inspiring and influential Black women in the public sphere together in one place with the goal of claiming civil and human rights, build political and economic power, and combat all forms of hate. If there ever was a time to LISTEN to Black women, that time is now. #BelieveBlackWomen #BlackAllWays #AllWaysBlack #BlackHistory Month #BlackHistory #ProgressiveChristianity #FierceLove #GodIsLove #BlackAuthors #BlackVoices #Bookstagram #WhatIAmReading Buy WAKE UP AMERICA here: https://wwnorton.com/books/wake-up-america
I am honored to be a part of this incredible collection of essays curated by Keisha N. Blain. Black women are often ignored. But not for nothing, we have ALWAYS spoken truth to power. ❤️✊🏾 Using Fannie Lou Hamer’s 1968 call for America to “WAKE UP,” Blain has put some of the most inspiring and influential Black women in the public sphere together in one place with the goal of claiming civil and human rights, build political and economic power, and combat all forms of hate. If there ever was a time to LISTEN to Black women, that time is now. #BelieveBlackWomen #BlackAllWays #AllWaysBlack #BlackHistory Month #BlackHistory #ProgressiveChristianity #FierceLove #GodIsLove #BlackAuthors #BlackVoices #Bookstagram #WhatIAmReading Buy WAKE UP AMERICA here: https://wwnorton.com/books/wake-up-america
Young people GET it. Our liberation is tied up together. NONE of us is free until ALL of us are free. My call to the younger generation is to keep your passion AND allow for nuance. Nothing is black and white. Older people: We have the power to demand love-driven policy. We CANNOT be frozen by fear. Here is what I said on @MSNBC with my Jewish and Muslim colleagues. Isabel Wilkerson’s book Caste and the movie Origin, based on the same, underscore how our oppression and our liberation are tied up together. This is why I’m asking that as a human family we consider how we are in relationship to all those who are suffering be it in Ukraine, Congo, Sudan, Ethiopia or in Israel and Palestine. We must demand a ceasefire. We must demand that all hostages be returned. This is not Either/Or. This is a demand for Love, PERIOD. Please open your hearts and watch the FULL clip, Love, Jacqui. #CeaseFireNow #Ubuntu #GodIsLove #PrayForPeace #ProgressiveChristianity #WWJD #FierceLove #LovePeriod #IsabelWilkerson
If we are going to truly call ourselves Christian we must understand that the Christianity that has been exported around the globe has very little to do with the teachings of Jesus Christ. For a long time now I have said that I am a follower of Jesus, but I am not necessarily a “Christian,” because Christianity as a RELIGION has been used by Empire as a mechanism to oppress and control. In this nation, the terroristic rise of the Klu Klux Klan, the genocide of Indigenous and Black folks, and the violent insurrection on January 6, 2021 are just 3 examples of empired Christianity. If we say we love Jesus, we have to face this truth, look squarely at our faith and ask ourselves, humbly, what WOULD Jesus do? Many thanks to our friends @twotp for asking powerful questions and giving me a chance to share my thoughts. Keep an eye out for more video drops and check out their page for more videos from me and other progressive thought leaders. #ProgressiveChristianity #GodIsLove #WWJD #FierceLove
“Nobody’s Free till Everybody’s Free” said Fannie Lou Hamer. I LOVE this shirt, an impromptu gift from my friend, the incomparable @blackmon_traci. ❤️✊🏾 Traci is widely known nationally for her activism in Ferguson, Missouri following Michael Brown’s heinous murder; but I am beyond honored to call her a colleague in movement building, and a friend. I’m thinking about the continuum of activism that connects us as Black Women. Fannie Lou Hamer attended Mommy’s childhood church (SNCC recruited Mrs. Hamer there). She picked cotton with my grandmother, and enlisted my Great Uncle George in her voting rights work in Ruleville MS. She ignited the world with her activism at the 1964 Democratic Convention when she and other Blacks demanded to be recognized as legitimate members of the party. My friend activist and artist Aunjanue Ellis made a short movie about about Mrs. Hamer—Fannie. Like Traci and Fannie Lou, Aunjanue stands up and fights for the rights of Black People because, “Nobody’s Free till Everybody’s Free.” Aunjanue and I had a beautiful conversation about Black faith in this podcast, Love Period. Link in bio. Do NOT miss our talk about her new movie Origin and our shared liberation on Sunday 2/11 at 1:00p. I’m proud to be surrounded by Black Women carrying doing liberative work, so we can all be free. #BlackAllWays #AllWaysBlack #BlackHistoryMonth #FierceLove #GodIsLove
