Love Letters From Reverend Sex S2:07 Trans Baptism and The Church of the Queerly Beloved in Asia

Summary

In this sunrise love letter from Manila, Reverend Sex (Rev. Alba Onofrio) reflects on a weekend of Queer spiritual courage during the first-ever Culto Cuir in Asia—and Soulforce's first Deaf-centered Culto Cuir. As the city wakes, they recount the power and tenderness of the Trans baptism and name‑change ceremony, a ritual born in Ecuador and now carried across continents as a sacred act of reclamation.

They share stories of those who stepped forward—some revealing their true names for the very first time, others affirming identities they’ve lived into for decades. Each baptism becomes a moment of wrestling and blessing, echoing the biblical lineage of name changes and the story of Jacob becoming Israel. Reverend Sex describes the trembling bravery of each person who came forward, hearts pounding, asking to be witnessed, affirmed, and blessed in the fullness of who they are.

From the sacred water gathered across years of global Queer ministry to the choices of where each person receives their anointing—forehead, throat, heart, hands—this episode honors the beauty of Queer and Trans people claiming themselves in community. It is a meditation on courage, belonging, and the holy work of becoming.

01:45 A Sunrise in Manila

02:36 Culto Cuir Arrives in Asia

03:59 A Deaf-Centered Pride Celebration

04:43 The Origins of Trans Baptism

05:43 Claiming Our Names, Claiming Our Lives

08:56 Biblical Lineages of Renaming

13:30 The Sacred Water and the Anointing

16:15 The Blessing of Becoming

17:13 Witnessing Courage in Real Time

20:19 A Prayer for the Brave

Hosted by Reverend Sex (Rev. Alba Onofrio - Executive Director of Soulforce), Love Letters from Reverend Sex is confession and revelation, intimate and inspirational. This weekly message from an ordained pastor, spiritual healer, and bruja troublemaker will empower you to reject practices of spiritual violence and eradicate shame and fear in your life. This is the spiritual home you’ve been looking for.

The entire Shameless Theology podcast channel offers connection, reflection, and community for anyone feeling spiritually marginalized or exiled but still resiliently faithful. It’s a space for exploration--un/learning and re/membering our spiritual journeys through sharing the experience, wisdom, and connections Soulforce has built as an international LGBTQIA+ social justice nonprofit organization over the last 30 years.

Join in our community of Sinvergüenzas by visiting our Shameless Theology homepage or our Spanish WhatsApp Lista de Difusión. If you’d like to support this cutting-edge movement of ferocious Latine power building, please make a donation.

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FREE PREVIEW: Spiritual Violence and Religious Phenomena that Defile the Faith: https://soulforce.org/download/spiritual-violence/

Find episode transcripts at https://soulforce.org/podcast/