Shameless Theology S1:04 "The Shame" of the Undocumented: Identity, Healing, and Hope w/ Dr. Norma Ramirez

Host Rev. Sex engages in a profound conversation with Dr. Norma Ramirez, discussing the intersections of undocumented status, shame, gender, and spirituality within the context of their personal and professional life. The dialogue navigates the parallels between political and religious shame, the influence of harmful theological narratives, and the significance of reclaiming one's inherent worth. Emphasizing collective healing and spirituality, they also explore the unknown aspects of a relationship with God and the importance of ancestral wisdom and interconnectedness in the journey toward justice and healing.00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:35 Understanding 'Sinvergüenza'01:51 Personal Experiences of Shame and Guilt03:27 Parallels Between Political and Religious Shame06:19 Theological Education and Personal Reflections10:20 Navigating Emotions and Trauma15:55 Maintaining Humanity in Challenging Times24:39 Facing Terror and Uncertainty28:54 Exploring the Origins of Messages and Belonging30:01 Checking In With Yourself and Questioning Messages32:15 Navigating Shame, Gender, and Sexuality40:43 The Journey Through Seminary and Faith42:42 The Mystery of God and Personal Struggles43:54 Fighting for DACA and Personal Resilience50:26 Words of Wisdom and Ancestral Connections53:42 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsDr. Norma Ramirez (She/ Her/ Ella) is a California and Nevada licensed psychologist dedicated to serving diverse populations, including undocumented immigrants, first-generation professionals, neurodivergent individuals, and the LGBTQ community. A passionate immigrant advocate, Dr. Ramirez was a plaintiff against DACA's 2017 rescission and has been recognized by the Biden and Harris Administration as a Latinx leader. Her professional approach is deeply influenced by her own marginalized identities, spirituality, activism, and varied professional roles.Hosted by Rev. 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.TSV seeks to decolonize faith, mixing theological education with real-life experiences to support human rights and liberation. Initially launched in Spanish, TSV addresses the monopolization of religious discourse by the far right. The platform gathers people of diverse Christian denominations, pastors, activists, and scholars to discuss gender identity, sex, and pleasure in the context of faith, aiming to heal the wounds of colonizing religion and create a welcoming space for topics often considered taboo in religious spaces. For the first time, Teología Sin Vergüenza is now in English.Join in our community of Sinvergüenzas by visiting our Teología Sin Vergüenza homepage or our Spanish WhatsApp Lista de Difusión. If you’d like to support this cutting-edge movement of ferocious Latinx power building, please make a donation.https://soulforce.org/donate/Find episode transcripts at https://soulforce.org/podcast/