“Until Death Do We (Queers) Part”: (Queer) Biblical Interpretation, (Invented) Truth, and Presumption in Controversies Concerning Biblical Characters’ Sexualities

Abstract

This article analyzes the arguments for and against the existence of queer characters in the Bible. Situated in a larger debate about whether or not scripture condemns queerness, public arguments proclaiming the existence of queer biblical characters remain underexplored by queer rhetorical scholars. This article argues that the argumentative strategies made by people in response to the possibility of queer biblical characters mirrors how people respond to dominant beliefs that suggest scripture condemns queerness. As such, arguments about biblical characters’ sexualities undermine a heteronormative presumption in favor of readings of scripture that condemn queerness.