In the first episode of 'Red State Religions,' host Dr. Gillian Frank explores the progressive religious communities in conservative areas, focusing on the Unitarian Universalist ministers and LGBTQ couples who participated in same-sex marriage ceremonies in Birmingham, Alabama. The episode highlights Reverend Luna Jensen Boad's and Reverend Lne Broussard's roles in these historic events, detailing the political and religious struggles leading to and following the legalization of same-sex marriage. Personal stories from Kay and Andrew illustrate the impact of finding liberal religious spaces in a conservative environment. The episode examines the intersection of faith and social justice, unraveling the complex history of marriage equality and the enduring presence of liberal religion in the Bible Belt.
- 00:00 Introduction to Red State Religions
- 00:51 A Historic Day in Alabama
- 05:30 The Path to Marriage Equality
- 15:53 Personal Stories of Love and Struggle
- 25:27 Finding Community in Unitarian Universalism
- 33:10 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview
Red State Religions is produced by the Institute for Religion, Media, and Civic Engagement with generous funding from the Henry Luce Foundation.
- Created by Dr. Gillian Frank
- Producer: Andrew Gill
- Executive Producer: Dr. Bradley Onishi
- Audio Engineer and Music: R. Scott Okamoto
- Production Assistance: Kari Onishi
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