Episode Details

🎙️ 27. Mike Maeshiro (Ex-evangelical pastor) – God Made Me Gay: Healing from Spiritual Harm

Growing up evangelical, Mike was taught that being gay was sinful, dangerous, and something God would eventually “fix.” Today, he’s an ex-evangelical pastor helping thousands heal from spiritual trauma and rediscover a God who delights in them. In this episode, Mike shares his story with honesty, humor, and courage — from coming out, to losing his church community, to rebuilding a life rooted in joy, integrity, and love.

We explore how harmful theology takes root, what harm-reduction can look like for queer youth still inside evangelical spaces, why parents should celebrate (not merely tolerate) their queer kids, and how allies can use their voices to protect those most vulnerable.

What we cover

• Growing up fundamentalist & knowing he was gay at age 10
• Why “pray the gay away” theology creates lifelong trauma
• Harm-reduction for queer teens still stuck in non-affirming churches
• The healthiest Christian response when your child comes out
• How to begin deconstructing fear-based, authoritarian theology
• Finding safer, affirming churches—and spotting red flags
• Why allies must be loud in the comments & in real life
• What gives Mike hope for the future of Christianity

💡 Key takeaways

• Queer kids need celebration and safety — not neutrality
• Evangelicalism is a constructed system; leaving it is not leaving God
• Affirming theology saves lives
• Allies speaking up publicly is essential for closeted youth
• You can be queer and Christian — many pastors and scholars already are

⛪ About our guest

Mike Maeshiro (@mikemaeshiro) is an ex-evangelical pastor, emotional-health coach, and writer. He is currently releasing his memoir God Made Me Gay on Substack, helping people recover from spiritual harm and reconnect to themselves, to joy, and to love.

📚 Resources mentioned

Affirming theology & deconstruction
• 1946: The Movie (@1946themovie)
• Dan McClellan (@maklelan) – Data Over Dogma
• Unclobbered – Colby Martin (@colby_martin)
• Brian McLaren (@brianmclaren) – A New Kind of Christianity
• Pete Enns (@peteenns) – The Bible Tells Me So
• J.S. Park (@jspark3000) – As Long As You Need
• Eucontamination: Disgust Theology and the Christian Life – Paul & Billie Hoard

Queer pastors, priests & musicians previously featured on The Sacred Slope
• Rev. Dr. Chris Davies (@jesuslovesdinos, Episode 4)
• Rev. Darrell Goodwin (@revdgoodwin, Episode 5)
• Rev. Roberto Che Espinoza, PhD (@drrobertoche, Episode 15)
• Father Lizzie @rev.lizzie (Episode 7)
• Semler (@gracebaldridge, Episode 13)

Finding affirming churches
• churchclarity.org
• Josh Scott @josh_a_scott (GracePointe Church)

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