This book feels like a balm. While I do not identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, I am an ally. And I’m a Christian. I have spent much of my adulthood wrestling and deconstructing and reconstructing so many issues in regard to my faith. While I still identify as a Christian, I have left the church tradition of my youth. This author is part of the church tradition of my youth, and has given me a glimmer of hope as she shares her story as a queer woman who deeply loves God. Highly recommend. Thank you, NetGalley, for this advance reader copy.

This book gave me a lot to think and pray about.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review.

As the subtitle indicates, Sally Gary shares her very personal story of faith, sexuality, and staying in the church. As she recounts her struggle with same sex attraction and how she slowly becomes "comfortable" personally and theologically, she finds affirming voices, sometimes in unexpected places.

The strength of the book is Gary's vulnerability in sharing both the personal challenges of finding her sexual identity and also her understanding that same sex attraction is biblically wrong. Although her conclusion differs from my stance on the question, the wrestling she does reveals the serious struggle some individuals go through within Christian circles, acknowledging how they feel yet knowing those "feelings" are contrary to their faith and beliefs. I regret I too often believe "anyone who affirms same sex attraction really does not take Scripture seriously." The various individuals and church congregations who served as examples of caring for her as a single person and valuing her life and ministry, demonstrating the compassion of Christ for her through her identity struggles, (whether they agreed with her or not), is also challenging... and convicting!

While our conclusions may be different, evangelical Christians and the church must be the ones to reach out to those in the LGBTQ community struggling with their sexuality and/or identity issues. Gray's book compelling charges individuals and churches to engage in the difficult conversations and no longer pretend same-sex attraction is an "out there" matter. Insofar as the book presents this challenge, I recommend it for reading by Christians and church leaders.