In contemporary religious discourse, the idea of "covenant" refers to an agreement between God and human beings, often involving promises, commitments, and responsibilities. Traditionally, this covenant has been understood as heterosexual and centered around marriage between one man and one woman.
Increasing numbers of people are questioning these normative assumptions and exploring new ways of understanding covenantal relationships that go beyond heteronormativity. Queer believers, who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, or any other non-heterosexual identity, are particularly well-positioned to reimagine the concept of covenant in creative and innovative ways that expand its scope to include diverse expressions of love and kinship.
One way that queer believers reimagine covenant is by emphasizing the importance of intentionality and commitment in their relationships. Instead of assuming that covenantal relationships must necessarily follow traditional models, they seek to create covenants that reflect their unique identities and experiences. This might involve entering into a covenant with a partner from within their own community, or it could mean forming a covenant with someone outside of their immediate family. In either case, queer believers approach covenantal relationships with the intention of creating long-term, enduring bonds that go beyond temporary romantic or sexual encounters.
Another way that queer believers reimagine covenant is by expanding the definition of what constitutes "family." Traditional understandings of family typically revolve around biological kinship and nuclear households, but queer believers recognize that families come in many different forms.
Some queer believers may choose to form polyamorous or non-monogamous relationships, where multiple partners enter into covenantal agreements with each other. Others may prioritize chosen family over blood relatives, recognizing that the people we care about most are not always those who share our DNA.
Queer believers also reimagine covenant by challenging the notion that God's blessings are only available through heterosexual marriage. They argue that God's grace and mercy extend to all people regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and that covenants between same-sex partners can be just as meaningful and holy as those between opposite-sex partners. Some even view the entire LGBTQ+ community as a kind of extended family, where members support and care for one another through shared values and experiences.
Queer believers offer a counter-narrative to the dominant cultural narratives about love, intimacy, and spirituality. By expanding the concept of covenant to include diverse expressions of love and kinship, they challenge traditional norms and open up new possibilities for creating healthy, sustainable, and loving communities.
In what ways do queer believers reimagine the concept of covenant to include diverse expressions of love and kinship?
Queer believers may reimagine covenants as diverse and inclusive practices that celebrate multiple forms of relationship and community building beyond traditional heteronormative structures. They may focus on the shared commitment to loving and supporting one another through mutual care, respect, and affirmation regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, ability status, socioeconomic background, age, or other factors.