Can pleasure be divine? How do you become shameless after decades of living under the lies and pain of purity culture? What does shameless theology look like?

In this first English episode of TSV, Reverend Sex introduces the vibrant world of Queer and feminist theology, focusing on communities from Latin America and its diaspora. Reverend Sex and their guest, the Rev. Dr. Lis Valle-Ruiz, discuss their personal and communal journeys of integrating Queer identity, activism, and faith. They touch upon themes of cultural and spiritual exile, the myths of purity culture, and the intersections of queerness and Christianity. They reflect on their shared history, the life-giving nature of their work, and their ongoing quest for spiritual and sexual liberation.

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction to Queer and Feminist Theology

01:30 Meet the Hosts: Reverend Sex and Rev. Dr. Lis Valle-Ruiz

03:42 The Concept of 'Sin Vergüenza' and Personal Stories

09:51 The Intersection of Activism, Theology, and Queerness

13:33 Challenges and Triumphs in Queer Christian Communities

22:37 Sexuality, Purity Culture, and Personal Growth

28:15 Adventurous Beginnings

28:29 Exploring Non-Monogamy

28:59 Academic and Cultural Challenges

29:44 Discovering Dominatrix

30:12 Embracing Non-Monogamy

31:16 Navigating Relationships

38:07 Purity Culture vs. Asexuality

41:06 Institutional Navigation

44:41 Spiritual and Personal Growth

50:55 Creating Life-Giving Projects

52:46 Conclusion and Reflections

Rev. Dr. Lis Valle-Ruiz was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She is a performing artist, educator, and practical theologian. Lis works as Associate Professor of Homiletics and Worship, and Director of Community Worship Life at McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL. Rev. Valle received a ThM in Homiletics from Princeton Theological Seminary and an MDiv from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She also holds a JD and a BA in Education from the University of Puerto Rico. Her research interests lie at the intersection of preaching, worship, and performance studies from Queer decolonial perspectives.

Hosted by Rev. Sex (Rev. Alba Onofrio - Executive Director of Soulforce), this podcast channel offers connection, reflection, and community for anyone feeling spiritually marginalized or exiled but still resiliently faithful while centering dialogue on Queer, trans, and feminist theology.

TSV seeks to decolonize faith, mixing theological education with real-life experiences to support human rights and liberation. Initially launched in Spanish, TSV addresses the monopolization of religious discourse by the far right. The platform gathers people of diverse Christian denominations, pastors, activists, and scholars to discuss gender identity, sex, and pleasure in the context of faith, aiming to heal the wounds of colonizing religion and create a welcoming space for topics often considered taboo in religious spaces. For the first time, Teología Sin Vergüenza is now in English.

Join in our community of Sinvergüenzas by visiting our Teología Sin Vergüenza homepage or our Spanish WhatsApp Lista de Difusión. If you’d like to support this cutting-edge movement of ferocious Latinx power building, please make a donation.

https://soulforce.org/donate/