13. Semler (Singer-Songwriter) Faith, Queerness, and Why Sometimes the Most Rebellious Act of All Is Staying

🎙Episode 13. Semler (Singer-Songwriter) – Faith, Queerness, and Why Sometimes the Most Rebellious Act of All Is Staying

🌈 Faith & Courage | Music as Resistance

Semler @gracebaldridge made history when their independent release Preacher’s Kid became the first openly queer Christian album to reach #1 on the iTunes Christian charts—an accomplishment they repeated with Late Bloomer. Semler has toured nationally, including alongside Relient K in 2022, performed an NPR Tiny Desk Concert, and attended the 2022 Dove Awards as a visible queer Christian artist in a space where LGBTQ+ inclusion still remains contested. Featured in Rolling Stone (@rollingstone), Religion News Service (@religionnews), and The Advocate (@ouradvocate), Semler continues to spark conversations that challenge the boundaries of Christian music and faith communities. In 2025, Semler released their debut full-length album, Revival in My Mind, expanding their spiritual and musical landscape.

Semler’s music and witness stand in the long tradition of faithful resistance—holding fast to God while refusing to bow to theologies that harm, and showing the church a bigger, more loving way forward. Fierce, vulnerable, and wise, Semler is just who we need in this time to help us see a fuller picture of the Body of Christ and teach us how to love better.

This episode is for anyone who’s been told they can’t be both queer and Christian—and for friends, pastors, and families who want to better stand with those who are marginalized, disrespected, or dehumanized. It’s for those wrestling with weaponized theology, searching for God beyond exclusion, and longing for a faith that protects rather than harms.

It’s also a call to church spaces where harm is still justified as “biblical.” History shows us that this label has been used to defend injustice—slavery, segregation, apartheid, bans on interracial marriage, silencing women, and shaming abuse survivors. Every one was wrong. Anti-LGBTQ theology is simply the newest iteration of that same bigotry. Our calling as Christians is not to defend fear, but to bear the fruit of love, humility, and compassion.

💡 Key Takeaways
• Queerness and Christianity are not contradictions
• Music can dismantle shame and open dialogue
• The Christian music industry still resists LGBTQ+ inclusion
• Curiosity, not fear, deepens faith

📚 Resources & Mentions
• 🌿 Music in this episode from Semler: (Faith, Jesus from Texas, Bethlehem) Revival in My Mind – @gracebaldridge
• Derek Webb – @derekwebb
• John Foreman / Switchfoot – @jonforeman / @switchfoot
• Jennifer Knapp – @jenniferknappmusic
• Relient K – @reliantk

🕊️🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿🕊️
If we claim to follow Jesus, we should be known by our love and by the fruit of the Spirit: ❤️ love, 💫 joy, ☮️ peace, 🕊 patience, 💝 kindness,

Where the slippery slope becomes sacred ground.
For the spiritually tender—raised in or rooted in Christianity, exploring its many expressions.

🌿 Community Guidelines

If we claim to follow Jesus, let’s be known by our love—evidenced by the Fruit of the Spirit: ❤️ love • 💫 joy • ☮️ peace • 🕊 patience • 💝 kindness • 🌿 goodness • 🙏 faithfulness • 🤲 gentleness • 💪 self-control
🕊 May our words online and actions offline reflect that love.

🔗 Connect
🎧 Explore episodes & community: linktr.ee/TheSacredSlope
🎙 Hosted by Alexis Rice
🎵 Music by Brett Rutledge, Eddie Irvin & Sean Spence
📬 Nominate a guest: [email protected]