Ep 72 | Embracing LGBTQIA+ Acceptance through Faith, Love, and Radical Inclusivity with Susan Cottrell

The Heartful Parent Podcast

Whether you are the parent of an LGBTQIA+ kiddo or you don’t know yet whether or not you are the parent of an LGBTQIA+ kiddo, or you have an LGBTQIA+ family member, neighbor, friend, or colleague you’re going to want to tune into today’s episode.

I’m talking with Susan Cottrell. Susan is an international speaker and passionate advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. Susan shares her personal journey of accepting and supporting her LGBTQ children, despite the conservative teachings of her evangelical church. She discusses how her deep faith led her to deconstruct harmful religious teachings and embrace values of love, empathy, compassion, inclusion, justice, and kindness.

You’ll Learn:

0:27 Introduction to Today's Issue

1:47 Susan's Faith Journey

11:53 Deconstructing Faith

24:13 Importance of Pride Month

29:19 Engaging in Productive Conversations

31:53 Love Your Neighbor Principle

35:25 Reasonable Approach to Acceptance

40:42 Starting the Deconstructing Process

45:12 Bible as a Story, Not a Rule Book

46:09 Bible as a Vehicle for Oppression

47:06 Spreading Radical Love

47:51 Conclusion and Gratitude

Thank you so much for being with me today and for listening to this conversation. I know religion is not something I typically dive into on The Heartful Parent Podcast, but I felt like this was a conversation that was worth having here during Pride Month, and just in general as we, as those of use who do choose to love unconditionally and unequivocally work to protect all of us who are LGBTQIA+ from being vilified and being scapegoated as we move forward in the year 2024 and beyond.

And let us know how you’re celebrating Pride Month where you live!

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Follow Susan Cottrell:

• https://www.freedhearts.org/

• https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/freedhearts/id1533444664

• https://www.youtube.com/stcottrell

• https://www.instagram.com/freedheart

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Stay tuned for more Heartful conversations on parenting, love, and inclusivity. Thank you for listening!