Queer Blood and Fire

This book is about the experiences of queer Salvation Army officers. The Salvation Army declares in its international mission statement that it serves suffering humanity without discrimination, and this is demonstrably the case for those whom the movement would serve in society. The experience of queer members within the movement is not, however, defined by the mission statement and rarely correlates. Historic influences and conservative theologies in leadership and congregations strongly determine the lived experience for these people, as do regulations that heavily dictate the nature of relationships and marriages that are permissible. The book is based on a survey and interviews conducted with queer Australian Salvation Army officers. It explores the history, harms, and hopes of these people within that context. The harms are multiple and include moral injury, sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts (“conversion therapy”), religious trauma, internalized homophobia, workplace discrimination, and, in some cases, suicidal ideation. The hopes are centered on expressions of integrated personhood that are holy and authentic. Their lives teach the church about God’s diverse creation, enlivened grace, justice through solidarity and community, and the ministry of all believers.