How does the legacy of white supremacy & Christian imperialism affect how different marginalized groups (POC, LGBTQ, women, disabled, + more) have experienced the weaponization of scripture and worship against them? How does having the "wrong" or "right" body lead to certain interpretations being seen as more valid or objective than others? How do we address these intersecting issues at the root instead of unwittingly reproducing them in our quest for justice? This workshop critically examines how these questions connect to our incarnational realities in worship and scripture—rooted in our LGBTQ Christian experiences of trauma and quest for healing.

Many of us have been raised believing that the body is evil and the spirit is good, but are these ideas and their ramifications Biblical or Christian ideas and where did they come from? In this workshop, we will explore the colonial history of the war against the body (which has included the queer, the “colored”, the woman, and the disabled), how it has led to a pervasive spiritual brokenness in the West, and ways to decolonize our theology of the body using specific examples from pre-colonial Chinese traditions to address social and political issues of today.

Q Christian Fellowship 2020 Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Saturday, January 5, 2020

Workshop Description: Many of the most contentious issues in Christianity today (race, gender, sexuality, and disability) go back to our theological understandings of the body. Many of us have been raised believing that the body is evil and the spirit is good, but are these ideas and their ramifications Biblical or Christian ideas and where did they come from? Do our bodies matter on earth if “in the end” we all go to heaven? In this workshop, we will explore the colonial history of the war against the body (which has included the queer, the “colored”, the woman, and the disabled), how it has led to a pervasive spiritual brokenness in the West, ways to decolonize our theology of the body using specific examples from pre-colonial Chinese traditions, and the ways these spiritual maladies manifest within social political issues like healthcare, sexual ethics, "wellness" culture, and racial justice/the movement for black lives.

A workshop presented at the Reformation Project National conference in Chicago on October 28, 2017 by SueAnn Shiah

Workshop description: Who are you and how do you know who you are? What is an “existential crisis?” Why do people keep telling you that you’re putting your identity in your sexuality or your race (and not in Christ)? This workshop examines the intersection of our identities today by looking at history, theology, and sociology; to how we have come to construct gender, sexual orientation, and race. Then, by examining our interactions with our identities, we will address the implications in negotiating these intersecting identities within our various communities.

The conversation surrounding faith and art leans heavily towards interpreting beauty. These interpretations are (unknowingly) centered around whiteness and fail to have a critical race analysis. What are pitfalls to avoid when using art in the context of community development work? How do we seek and identify beauty in the world while also reimagining beauty from the depths of our faith and our understandings of justice? From issues of cultural appropriation to the lack of representation in media, we’ll discuss common areas where white supremacy corrupts art and culture, and how artists and communities of faith can engage this reality. Workshop presented by SueAnn Shiah at Christian Community Development Association (CCDA)'s National Conference in Detroit, Michigan October 5, 2017.

From the 2018 Allied Media Conference in Detroit, MI June 15, 2018 Christianity has been one of the most destructive forces in history for women, queer folks, and people of color. How do those of us who were formed and raised in communities of faith reclaim the Bible and Christian faith for the purpose of healing and justice? We will talk about the healing power of recasting the master’s tools for our own and other’s liberation. SueAnn Shiah (@sueannshiah) is a Taiwanese American musician and filmmaker and emerging theologian specializing in identity formation, racial justice, gender, and sexuality. Her first feature length documentary HuanDao premiered in Fall 2016 in Nashville, TN. In addition to her own creative and theological works, she collaborates with other artists and musicians in a variety of capacities as an artist manager, producer, audio engineer, songwriter, and creator of liturgy. She has a B.B.A. in Music Business with a Production emphasis and a Chinese minor from Belmont University.

Paradoxes in Identity and Incarnation

Vanderbilt Out in Front LGBTQIAI+ Conference

Saturday February 27, 2016

Workshop recording from the Q Christian Fellowship (Previously Gay Christian Network) Conference 2018 in Denver, Colorado.

In this breakout session, Emily Joy and SueAnn Shiah will discuss their unique experiences of bisexuality, from coming out to coming of age and everything in between. SueAnn will explore her journey in Side B and Side A spaces and navigating singleness and dating, and Emily will discuss what it’s like to come out while married and the unique challenges that presents. Emily and SueAnn seek to acknowledge, affirm, and celebrate the huge diversity of bisexual experiences, name the barriers and obstacles unique to the bi+ queer Christian community, and present a vision for how to fight bierasure in everyday life (Q&A and discussion to follow).

SueAnn Shiah (@sueannshiah) is a Taiwanese American musician and filmmaker and emerging Reformed theologian specializing in identity formation, racial justice, gender, and sexuality. Her first feature length documentary HuanDao premiered in Fall 2016 in Nashville, TN. In addition to her own creative and theological works, she collaborates with other artists and musicians in a variety of capacities as an artist manager, producer, audio engineer, songwriter, and creator of liturgy. She has a B.B.A. in Music Business with a Production emphasis and a Chinese minor from Belmont University.

Emily Joy (@emilyjoypoetry) is a spoken word poet and yoga teacher from Nashville, Tennessee. She has released two studio albums of spoken word poetry and travels the country performing at schools, churches, conferences, festivals, and anywhere else poetry is heard and enjoyed. Her work focuses on faith shifts, religious trauma, gender and sexuality, and developing a liberating and creative spirituality. Emily holds a degree in theology from Moody Bible Institute and is passionate about sharing her story of going from a non-affirming conservative Christian to an affirming and out bisexual human being with more questions than answers. She seeks to blend poetry and mindful breath and movement during her performances to create a whole-body experience of emotions and spirituality that liberates and empowers.

Panel Members: Branden Polk, Ray Low, Merelyn Becker, and SueAnn Shiah

Moderator: Dawn Jones

What is the experience of ethnic minorities in the LGBT+ community? What are some of the unique points of struggle for LGBT+ ethnic minorities who also adhere to historic, Christian teaching about marriage and sexuality? And how can our cultural backgrounds also be a source of empowerment? Come and hear the stories of representatives from different ethnic groups, and be encouraged in an increasingly diversified conversation!

ReVoice Conference- St Louis, Missouri

July 27, 2018

Memorial Presbyterian Church

Panel: HuanDao: The Journey of Asian American Identity Through Personal Narrative

SueAnn Shiah, creator of HuanDao, @SueAnnShiah

Cicia Lee, social movement organizer, @cicialee

Kenji Kuramitsu, social worker and Anglican seminarian, @afreshmind