GET THE RESOURCE GUIDE HERE: https://www.laurenlanzaretta.com/youcanbeboth

Welcome to You Can Be Both — the podcast for LGBTQ+ Christians, gay Christians, and anyone navigating faith and sexuality while healing from religious trauma, church hurt, and rejection.

In this New Year episode, Lauren shares how we’re moving from confusion to clarity in 2026. If you’ve ever wondered “Can I be Christian and LGBTQ?” or felt stuck between your identity and your faith, this conversation is for you. We talk about what it really takes to heal, rebuild confidence, and deepen your relationship with God—without shrinking who you are.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What “confusion to clarity” means for LGBTQ people of faith in 2026

• How community and testimony help us heal from evangelical trauma, Catholic guilt, and spiritual abuse

• Why understanding Bible context and translation matters (and why Lauren plans to bring on guests who can unpack “clobber verses,” theology, and Scripture interpretation)

• The 3-step healing framework: get educated, get connected, and start healing

• How to release what’s holding you back in 2026: addiction and coping behaviors, approval-seeking, and toxic relationships

• Why you don’t need permission from pastors, parents, or church culture to be okay with God

• Practical next steps: finding affirming churches, following helpful creators, getting therapy support, and using journaling prompts for healing and future visionLauren also shares big plans for 2026, including guest interviews, TikTok Lives, Zoom community calls, and future live events built around worship, healing, testimonies, and connection.

To close, Lauren leads a guided Christian meditation for healing—an imaginative prayerful exercise centered on God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit—followed by Psalm 23, and a heartfelt community prayer for freedom from depression, addiction, shame, and abusive relationships.

📌 RESOURCE GUIDE (Confusion to Clarity Healing Guide): Lauren created a downloadable healing guide for LGBTQ+ people of faith packed with books, podcasts, affirming church resources, therapist support ideas, and journaling prompts to help you start your healing journey.

GET THE RESOURCE GUIDE HERE: https://www.laurenlanzaretta.com/youcanbeboth

The book she mentioned called "Letting Go" (which is also in the resource guide) can be purchased here: https://amzn.to/49kYwcu

📩 Share your testimony / join the community: Submit your email + location in the form below so you can get updates about lives, Zoom calls, and upcoming events/tour dates: https://bit.ly/49G1tpz

If this episode helped you, please like, subscribe, and share—it helps this message reach other LGBTQ+ Christians who feel alone. You are loved. God loves you. And you are not alone.

🔔 New episodes every Sunday at 11am

🎧 Also available on all podcast platforms

For sponsorship opportunities email: youcanbebothpodcast@gmail.com.

Follow my other socials on TikTok and Instagram!‪@YouCanBeBoth‬ ‪@LaurenLanzaretta‬

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