“I’m going to say it very, very clearly right now. I am a fully affirming Christian. That means that I have done my homework. I have studied Scripture with trusted pastors, theologians, experts, professors, thought leaders. And I do not believe that being gay is a sin.” -Wendy Snyder, Ep. 272

Here at Fresh Start Family, we are passionate about helping every human no matter what age, race, religion or sexual-orientation to feel loved, accepted and equal. We stand united as allies with those who are treated unfairly, unjustly and face oppression.

You are welcome here.

With an open heart and a deep desire to provide trustworthy resources around a topic that’s often considered taboo, avoided or misunderstood – especially in faith-based spaces- I’ve curated this thoughtful list of books, authors, speakers, studies, and films that were monumental in my journey to become an affirming Christian. My hope is that these tools empower you on your own journey toward clarity, compassion, and above all, love. Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor 13:13

Books, Articles & Studies:

• Sarah Bessey Penny in the Air Article
• Meredith Miller’s Woven Book: Nurturing a Faith In Your Children They Don’t Have to Heal From
• Meredith Miller’s substack (with affirming christian bible study within)
• United Methodist Affirming Position Statement
• Episcopal Church Affirming Position Statement
• Lutheran Church Affirming Position Statement
• My Disciples of Christ Church Affirming Mission
• A Church for All (children’s book)
• South Bend City Church Recommended Books:
  Historic View:
  Washed and Waiting, by Wesley Hill
  What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality? by Kevin DeYoung
  Progressive View:
  God and the Gay Christian, by Matthew Vines
  Changing Our Mind, by David Gushee
  Bible, Gender, Sexuality, by James Brownson

Podcast Episodes:

• Jen Hatmaker’s podcast episode with daughter Sydney
• South Bend City Church – Sacred Conversation: Sexuality
• Rachel Nielson’s 3 in 30 podcast Ep. 238 Understanding & Supporting Trans Teens
• Meredith Miller on the FSF Show Ep. 169 Faith, the Bible & Being LGBQT+ Affirming
• The Naked Pastor on the FSF Show Ep. 151 Breaking Free from Fear and Embracing Deconstruction Thoughts
• Tim Whitaker of The New Evangelicals on the FSF Show Ep. 245 How to Resist Toxic Teachings & Hypocrisy as a Family of Faith
• Wendy’s FSF Ep. 272 What Died and Came to Life
• Believing in the Good: Faith-Based Parenting Through the Lens of Belonging FSF Show Ep. 301 with Mariko Clark and Rachel Eleanor

Experts & Thought Leaders:

• Sarah Bessey Instagram
• Jen Hatmaker Instagram
• Meredith Miller Affirming Theology Instagram, affirming post
• Brian Recker Instagram 1, 2 & 3
• The Naked Pastor Instagram 
• Dan Maklelan, Phd Theology & Religion Instagram Post 1, 2 & 3
• Mary Van Geffen Instagram, Detangling Christian Post 
• A.B. Higashi -Biblical Scholar – Instagram 
• Pam Dunn – Founder of Your Infinite Life personal development & life coaching organization Instagram
• Chrissy Powers Instagram
• The Christian Sex Educator – detaching from “lukewarm christian” labels
• Tim Whitaker – The New Evangelicals Instagram
• ChurchClarity.org – Database for Affirming Churches 
• Pastor Zach W. Lambert’s Instagram, post on homophobia/transphobia, post with chart on people leaving the church – new book “better ways to read the bible”

Documentaries / Media Clips:

• 1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture (the birth of the word “homosexual” in the Bible)
• Raising Ryland Documentary San Diego, CA family share the touching story of their trans son, Ryland
• Pray Away Instagram, Netflix Ex-leaders and a survivor of the so-called conversion therapy movement speak out about its harm to the LGBTQ+ community and its devastating persistence.
• CBS News Sunday Morning clip Bishop Gene Robinson on why “God called me out of the closet”
• Will and Harper – Will Ferrell’s journey with his friend who finally found peace after coming out as a trans woman.
• Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde speech – Episcopal Bishop who gave the 2024 presidential inauguration sermon calling for compassion toward the queer community