Trans The*logy Without Apology

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KBOO
Air date: 
Tue, 04/02/2024 - 6:00pm to 7:00pm
An Interview with Megan Rohrer

Please join us on Tuesday, April 2nd at 6:00 pm for Transpositive PDX on KBOO Community Radio 90.7fm as we talk Megan Rohrer, author of the new book "Trans The*logy Without Apology: Using art, narrative and historical-critical exegesis to celebrate transfiguration and trans aesthetic in the Bible. (Queer Theology)." 

Trans The*logy Without Apology is a mix of academic and memoire styled writing, inspired by Comstock’s (1993) Gay Theology Without Apology. Megan Rohrer, went on pilgrimage around the globe to find over 130 images of the trans aesthetic from Early Christianity through the Reformation. Sharing hard to find materials in one collection, this book reminds contemporary audiences that trans and gender non-conforming leaders have been integral figures betwixt and between the pages of biblical texts and serving in faithful leadership since the beginning of Christianity.

First, trans themes and metaphors about G*d the creator and characters within the Genesis/Bereshit is explored utilizing trans affirming Rabbinical insights. Then, exploration of the life, death and resurrected body of Jesus is used to uncover veiled metaphors in the transfiguration and wounds of Christ. Next, stories of saints with a trans aesthetic are discussed. The book encourages readers to affirm transness in the image of G*d, their own lives and the full life of the Christian church

Transpositive is a biweekly program in Portland exploring themes important to those who identify as Transgender, Gender Non-Binary, and Gender Non-Conforming. Transpositive tries to connect listeners with the ongoing activism, arts, culture, and dialogue happening in Portland and beyond. Make your voice heard! Transpositive PDX is open to new and experienced programmers, guests, and events you want our community to know about. We are an open collective. Anyone who identifies as trans, gender non-binary, or gender fluid is welcome to be part of our collective after completing some basic free radio training. 

Megan Rohrer

Megan Rohrer (he/him), DMin, is an activist and social influencer known for their LGBTQ and homeless advocacy. Featured on Netflix's Queer Eye, People, Time, Cosmo and at Wittenberg, German's celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Megan currently works at Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco, CA. The renowned black church, is celebrated around the world for its care for the homeless, addiction recovery support and justice work.

One of 18 pastors defiantly ordained when American Lutherans did not allow LGBT pastors to serve openly, Megan was the first transgender pastor ordained in the Lutheran church and served as the first transgender bishop. He received an honorable mention as an Unsung Hero of Compassion at a ceremony with His Holiness the Dali Lama, were presented a Medal of Tolerance by the King of Tallo in Indonesia and received an honorary doctorate from Palo Alto University.

Megan served at Presbyterian, Lutheran and Episcopal congregations in San Francisco and as a chaplain to the San Francisco Police Department. For 12 years, Pastor Megan worked primarily with San Francisco’s LGBT homeless community. In addition to feeding the hungry on Polk Street and in the Castro, Pastor Megan has created programs to provide groceries for HIV+ individuals, and advocated nationally for homeless LGBT youth and to help faith communities’ welcome LGBT individuals. Megan’s advocacy brought national attention to the issues faced by transgender women of color, when they raised the funds needed to get Meagan Taylor released from jail in Des Moines, IA.

Megan also served on the steering committees for the San Francisco Women's March and TransMarch, the San Francisco Human Rights Commission’s LGBT Advisory committee, as a co-chair for the Local Homeless Coordinating Board (appointed by the mayor) was an Associate Night Minister with the San Francisco Night Ministry and created a project that provided over 2,000 pairs of prescription glasses to the homeless on the Big Island of Hawaii and in San Francisco.

Listed in the Trans100, Pastor Megan’s exhibit on transgender mentoring from 1976-2009 in San Francisco was displayed at the GLBT Historical Society and won OutHistory’s Since Stonewall Local History Competition. Megan has also won international awards for the Trans themed documentary Zanderology and was a finalist in transgender non-fiction for the Lambda Literary Award.

One of the many pastors arrested protesting Prop 8, Megan has officiated at countless weddings for LGBT individuals before and after the marriages were legally recognized. Megan lives near Golden Gate Park with their wife Laurel, two kids and two cats.


For more information contact Emma at transpositivepdx@gmail.com

Transpositive PDX on KBOO 90.7FM or online at KBOO.FM
like us on Facebook: facebook.com/transpositivepdx
Megan Rohrer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mmrohrer/

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