Rev. Brandan Robertson "Queer & Christian" w/Bruce Kohl

East End Books Ptown presents: Rev. Brandan Robertson "Queer & Christian: Reclaiming the Bible, Our Faith, and Our Place at the Table" in conversation with Boston-based journalist Bruce Kohl - 8/12 at 6pm.

Rev. Brandan Robertson is a noted author, activist, and public theologian, working at the intersections of spirituality, sexuality, and social renewal. He is an ordained minister in the , serving as the Pastor of in New York City and is the founder and Executive Director of , a non-profit challenging far-right religious narratives in both digital and traditional media. He’s widely known as the "TikTok Pastor", with a vast digital reach of nearly 300k followers and 10 million views engaging his inclusive theological content across social media.

Bruce Kohl is a Boston-based journalist. His wide-ranging work has been featured on radio, television, in print and online. Among other areas, Kohl has covered religion and spirituality, arts and culture, and business.

"For too long, the Bible has been weaponized to exclude LGBTQ+ individuals, despite Jesus' radical message of inclusion. In [this book], Brandan Robertson envisions a faith where all are unequivocally embraced. Ostracized at school, Brandan thought he had finally found his community when he joined the local church. But he soon realized that they were as intolerant as his peers at school had been--if not more so. After agonizing years of repressing his true identity, he discovered that God's table had always had a place for him. Jesus' love knows no bounds, embracing everyone unconditionally. Queer & Christian is a ... celebration of queer faith and an unyielding reclamation of the Bible"--

A passionate writer, Robertson has authored, edited, or contributed to over twenty-five books on spirituality, justice, and theology. Notably, his book "True Inclusion: Creating Communities of Radical Embrace" was recognized as an INDIES Book of the Year Award Finalist. His writings have appeared in the pages of esteemed publications like TIME Magazine, The Huffington Post, NBC, and The Washington Post. He’s currently a columnist for Baptist News Global, the Los Angeles Blade, and for Bishop John Shelby Spong’s Progressing Spirit Newsletter. As a prominent voice in progressive faith discussions, his insights are regularly featured across global media outlets such as CNN, NPR, MSNBC, and The Washington Post. In acknowledgment of his significant influence, Rolling Stone Magazine listed him in its 2021 “Hot List” spotlighting top creatives shaping the future.

Annually, Robertson's sought-after perspective takes him to prestigious platforms like The White House, Westminster Abbey, Oxford University, and The Parliament of World Religions. He's taught seminars for institutions such as the San Francisco Theological Seminary, The Lakelands Institute, Disciples Seminary Foundation, and The Wisdom Centre (Canada). Robertson has also been an honored member of many vital advisory committees for entities like the Democratic National Convention, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In 2020, he was named a Fellow of the Salzburg Global Seminar and in 2023 was named a Senior Digital Ministry Fellow of Convergence.

A stalwart champion for LGBTQ+ rights, the Human Rights Campaign lauded him as a top faith-leader fervently advancing LGBTQ+ equality. His tireless efforts encompass collaboration with global political figureheads and activists to eradicate conversion therapy and advocate for the rights of sexual and gender minorities. In 2024, the LGBTQ+ Religious Archives Network honored Robertson for his prophetic leadership for queer inclusion in the Christian Church. Robertson is also a part of the Red Letter Christians Leaders Network, is a founding member of The Union of Affirming Christians, a Patron of One Body, One Faith (UK), and an advisor for The Center for Progressive Christianity, LOVEBoldly, The Global Interfaith Commission on LGBTQ+ Lives, and The Ozanne Foundation US.

In his academic pursuits, Robertson acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry and Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute, an Master of Theological Study from Iliff School of Theology, and an Master of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration from Eastern Illinois University. He's presently pursuing a PhD in Biblical Studies at Drew University. He currently resides in New York City.

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