In this episode of Queerfully Made Podcast, hosts Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson chat with performer and aspiring comedian Melody Rachel just days before her Melbourne Fringe Festival show, "I'm Gay But I Know Jesus".

A trailblazing voice in queer theatre, Melody creates semi-autobiographical works exploring identity, anxiety, and human connection, drawing from her Christian upbringing, coming out as a lesbian at 15, losing faith and finding it again after hitting rock bottom.

Melody shares her journey of unlearning shame the morning after sleeping with a woman and still feeling like she knew God. Her journey has led her to redefine what "sin" truly means to her, and to pursue a life of inside-out transformation.

Raised in Christian traditions, she attended Hillsong regularly but now feels closer to Jesus than ever, without church walls or rigid rules. Faith, for her, is about love and grace, not judgment, and she navigates tensions in both queer and Christian spaces with fierce honesty.

Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of suicide, reflecting Melody’s personal struggles, specifically, the dark moments she faced contemplating it during her internal battles with emptiness and depression. If you're currently grappling with suicidal thoughts or know someone who is, please take care when listening, and know you're not alone. We encourage you to pause, reach out for support, or skip to lighter sections as needed.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, help is available. Contact Lifeline Australia, 24 hours a day. Call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14.

What's your take on Melody's definition of "sin"? Share below! 🫶

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Get ready for a raw and real Q&A in this episode of Queerfully Made Podcast, titled "You Asked For It"! Hosts Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson dive into your questions, sent in by our amazing followers. From navigating the tricky intersection of faith and sexuality to sharing deeply personal moments, Aaron and Ben open up about their journeys as queer Christians with honesty, humour, and heart.

This episode goes deeper into their lived experiences. Coming out, facing rejection, and finding affirming spaces, while offering practical tips for those wrestling with similar challenges. Expect candid stories, a few laughs, and wisdom that hits home.

What question would you ask Aaron and Ben? Drop it in the comments!

#queerfullymade #lgbtq #lgbtqchristian #lesbian #gay #bi #trans #queer #christian #lgbtqinclusion #faith #church #faithandsexuality #youaskedforit #qanda #lgbtqfaith #authenticity #podcast #queerchristian #communityvoices

In this Episode of Queerfully Made Podcast, hosts Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson welcome Max Drag Queen, widely remarked as one of the most electrifying performers in the Australian Drag circuit and competed in Drag Race Down Under Season 4. On their season, Max briefly shared their faith, sparking backlash from parts of the queer community who questioned why an LGBTQ+ person would embrace Christianity. This episode dives deeper, offering a heartfelt exploration of Max’s faith journey and their vision for love over division.

Max opens up about finding faith at a young age through Christian Beach Missions, attending church solo despite a non-religious family. That faith became a guiding light and source of comfort into adulthood, shaping their life beyond the drag stage. Though not a regular churchgoer, Max sees faith as more than four walls. It’s about love, hope, and connection, not rigid rules or judgment. They reflect on the hurt religious spaces and people have caused LGBTQ+ people, while not experiencing that hurt themselves. Max gives a small challenge to the queer community to embrace those who hold faith with love, not scepticism. If faith communities could view LGBTQ+ folks through a lens of love, Max believes bridges could replace barriers.

Aaron and Ben unpack Max’s story, exploring the intersection of faith, sexuality and gender and where drag intertwines and why both sides of the faith-LBGTQ+ divide need empathy.

Stream now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Subscribe for more stories that spark hope and understanding!

What does faith mean to you in your LGBTQ+ journey? Share in the comments! 🫶

#queerfullymade #lgbtq #lgbtqchristian #lesbian #gay #bi #trans #queer #christian #lgbtqinclusion #church #faithandsexuality #maxdragqueen #episodesix #dragracedownunder #lgbtqfaith #authenticity #podcastlaunch #faithandlove #queerchristian