Heavy Burdens – Seven Ways LGBTQ Christians Experience Harm in the Church

This book explores the discrimination faced by LGBTQ Christians, urging churches to confront their roles in perpetuating harm. Heavy Burdens offers a path toward healing and understanding.

In Heavy Burdens – Seven Ways LGBTQ Christians Experience Harm in the Church, Bridget Eileen Rivera provides a candid exploration of the discrimination faced by LGBTQ individuals within Christian communities. Drawing on her sociological expertise and personal insights, Rivera highlights the painful realities that many LGBTQ Christians endure, often feeling alienated or condemned by the very institutions that are meant to offer support and love. She emphasizes the urgent need for Christians to confront the lasting effects of this legacy and to foster an environment that promotes healing and acceptance.

Rivera articulates how traditional church teachings can inadvertently contribute to the challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals, making their journey of faith, gender, and sexuality even more difficult. By examining unexamined attitudes and practices within these communities, she encourages a shift towards a more compassionate and understanding approach. This book serves as a call to action for churches across the theological spectrum to recognize and address the struggles of LGBTQ Christians, ultimately empowering them to find their place within the faith.

The author recalls the words of Jesus, highlighting the burdens religious leaders often impose on others without offering assistance. Heavy Burdens serves as both a poignant reminder of the need for change and a practical guide for churches seeking to navigate a more inclusive path forward. Through this honest account, Rivera aims to inspire meaningful dialogue and foster a sense of belonging for all believers.