Shameless Theology S2:07 The People Who Hurt Me the Most Gave Me the Greatest Gift w/ Zayn Silva

Summary

Despite all the harm caused by evangelical churches, today’s guest, Zayn Silva, shares some of what they got right. Rev. Alba Onofrio and Zayn discuss his upbringing in a powerful Spanish-speaking Pentecostal family network with major political and media influence that organized New York’s largest anti-same-sex action in 2009. He shares how he was publicly outed, subjected to conversion therapy, and ultimately left the church he grew up in. After nearly ending his life, Zayn found an affirming Presbyterian church and learned to leverage the evangelical confidence he was raised with to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. 

Rev. Alba and Zayn discuss the Religious Abuse of his youth and the path he took to his current ministry in digital communications, as an elder in the Presbyterian church, and an active community advocate. Zayn also serves as a Board Member for Soulforce. 

This episode mentions thoughts of suicide. If you or a loved one is struggling with thoughts of self harm or suicide, please reach out for help. Contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by texting or calling 988.

The Trevor Project offers 24/7 support for LGBTQ+ young people through text: 678-678, phone: 1-866-488-7386, or chat: www.thetrevorproject.org

Zayn Silva is a Director of Communications, preacher, and human rights activist committed to fierce love and justice. As a transgender Latinx leader, he amplifies inclusive faith, digital ministry, and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ belonging in the church. He is also the founder of Transalike, working to reconnect Queer people with God’s house.

Hosted by Reverend Sex (Rev. Alba Onofrio - Executive Director of Soulforce), this podcast channel offers connection, reflection, and community for anyone feeling spiritually marginalized or exiled but still resiliently faithful, while centering dialogue on Queer, Trans, and feminist theology.

Shameless Theology seeks to decolonize faith, mixing theological education with real-life experiences to support human rights and life abundant for all of Creation. Initially launched in Spanish as Teología Sin Vergüenza, this show addresses the monopolization of religious discourse by the extreme Right. Here, we gather people of diverse faith backgrounds and Christian denominations--pastors, activists, and scholars--to discuss gender identity, the erotic, and real life in the context of a radically inclusive faith, aiming to heal the wounds of colonizing religion and create a welcoming space for topics often considered taboo in religious spaces.

This season forefronts our new book: Spiritual Violence: Religious Phenomena that Defile the Faith. This timely resource identifies and examines the consequences of white Christian Supremacy through historical context and case studies, centering lived experiences of marginalized people, and offers critical analysis and practical tools for healing and resistance. Each week, we’ll share engaging conversations with brilliant guests familiar with the work, as we explore the concepts and lived experiences of Spiritual Violence. The podcast is not a repetition of the book but an expansion of conversation adding new voices: experts in their fields who share their experience with our community. Even if you haven’t read the book yet, these are engaging conversations relevant to the here and how, and we invite you to join us and continue the conversation in your own communities. 

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

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.

https://soulforce.org/donate/