SAN FRANCISCO, CA–(EMWNews – July 28, 2008) – This month marks the publication of the

world’s first poetry anthology devoted exclusively to works by lesbian,

gay, bisexual, and trans Christians. Justin R. Cannon, editor of

“Sanctified: An Anthology of Poetry by LGBT Christians,” explains, “I am

excited about this publication because LGBT Christians’ voices need to be

heard not only in church meetings, city councils, and courtrooms, but also

in the literary arena. I believe poetry is an intimate, very revealing form

of writing, and that this anthology speaks deeply to the experience of

queer Christians in our world.” He elaborates, “The many voices in this

anthology reveal the deep pain and grief, longing and desire, and also the

joys of LGBT Christians who are often caught between two worlds that are so

often opposed to each other.”

The release of this anthology coincides with the Lambeth Conference, during

which bishops from the worldwide Anglican Communion gather once every ten

years. This year the conference is held on University of Kent’s campus in

England. The Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church is a part,

is faced with the possibility of a split due to the ordination of openly

gay and partnered bishop, Gene Robinson, in addition to British Anglicans’

recent decision to ordain female bishops. Nearly 230 Anglican bishops are

boycotting the conference. Cannon comments, “The timing was not planned,

but it is appropriate. Now, more than ever, the world needs a doorway into

understanding the gay Christian soul.”

Cannon graduated from Earlham College where he received his B.A. in French

and Francophone Studies. During his studies at Earlham, he served on the

editorial board for The Earlham Literary Magazine and started up the

school’s poetry appreciation group, Poetheads Anonymous. “Sanctified” can

be ordered online at www.SanctifiedAnthology.com or purchased on Amazon.com

(ISBN: 978-1438247854). Cannon is also the director of Inclusive Orthodoxy,

an online ministry to LGBT Christians as well as Rainbow Christians, an

LGBT Christian social networking site with over 5000 registered members. He

lives in Berkeley, CA where he is a student at Church Divinity School of

the Pacific and is pursuing priesthood in the Episcopal Church.