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! 🫶
#queerfullymade #lgbtq #lgbtqchristian #lesbian #gay #bi #trans #queer #christian #lgbtqinclusion #church #faithandsexuality #melodyrachel #episodeeight #imgaybutiknowjesus #melbournefringe #lgbtqfaith #authenticity #podcastlaunch #queerjoy #unlearningshame
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