Shameless Theology S1:06 Sacred Questioning: Liberation in Deconstruction w/ Karla Perez

Host Reverend Sex (Rev. Alba Onofrio) welcomes Karla Perez, a licensed mental health therapist with a rich background in social justice and community wellness, to discuss queer and feminist theology. Karla shares her journey of embracing her identity as both a queer, non-binary person and an ally turned advocate. The conversation covers the founding of Ministerio Latino, challenges and revelations in her personal life, and the significance of decolonial theology in addressing real-world issues. They also explore the complex dynamics of being an immigrant, spiritual displacement, and maintaining faith amid political and community challenges. The episode highlights the importance of intersectional support, community building, and spiritual resilience.00:00 Introduction to Queer and Feminist Theology01:29 Meet Karla Perez: A Journey of Intersectionality02:25 Exploring Identity and Breaking Norms05:36 Navigating Expectations and Personal Growth14:28 Founding Ministerio Latino: A Safe Haven22:54 Rediscovering Self in New Spaces29:49 The Concept of Home and Belonging34:27 Discussing the Current Political Climate35:01 Mental Health Advocacy in Arizona39:04 The Intersection of Faith and Activism45:35 Liberation Theology and Community Organizing48:13 The Experience of the Diaspora57:33 Spiritual Displacement and Ancestral Connections01:00:15 Final Thoughts and ReflectionsKarla Perez (She/Her/They/Them) is a licensed mental health therapist currently living near Phoenix, Arizona. Karla has 20 years’ experience working in social justice and community wellness as an organizer and is passionate about the intersection of mental health and justice-making. She is the co-founder of Ministerio Latino, a ministry and space for migrants and LGBTQIA+ folks to express their faith/spirituality and create support systems of accompaniment.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/