Queer Men & the Sacred with Andrew Ramer

In 1990 Harry Hay blessed Andrew Ramer as “a younger elder of the tribe.” Mark Thompson interviewed him for his 1994 book Gay Spirit along with fifteen other writers, healers, teachers and visionaries. Andrew’s own books include Two Flutes Playing: A Spiritual Journeybook for Gay Men, Queering the Text: Biblical, Medieval, and Modern Jewish Stories, and Revelations for A New Millennium. He was born in Elm-hurst, New York, across the street from an amusement park called Fairyland, and he now lives in Oak-land, California up the street from an amusement park called Fairyland. You can read more about him and his work at andrewramer.com

Episode Highlights

• We discuss the sacred role queer men have as guardians of the trees, and the connection to the environment as a whole.
• The role of gay men in the world, and as consciousness scouts.
• “Now is the time for us to own who we are.”
• Andrew’s experience of hearing voices which guided him through out his life and guided his writing.
• The essential spiritual practice of mentoring queer youth, and the challenge of cultivating inter-generational queer family.
• The difference between “crazy” and mysticism.
• Cultivating queer community through commonality and kinship.
• Meeting Harry Hay and Malcolm Boyd at Gay Spirit Visions early on his queer spiritual path.
• His new book, “Deathless,” about a 3000+ year old lesbian living in Venice beach, re-telling stories of the bible from a queer perspective.

Resource links

• AndrewRamer.com
• His writings on White Crane Institute
• Gay Spirit Visions retreat
• CrazyWise documentary film