Sometimes I stand in front of people and say words.

(And I’m pretty good at it.)

Kevin Garcia is…

is a spiritual director, mystical theologian, LGBTQ+ author and speaker based in Atlanta, GA. After coming out as a queer Christian in 2015, Kevin has shared messages of God’s love for all people worldwide.

They authored "Bad Theology Kills: Undoing Toxic Beliefs and Reclaiming Your Spiritual Authority" (2020) and "What Makes You Bloom: Cultivating a Spiritual Practice for Connecting with Your Divine Self." Kevin's work also appears in various anthologies by queer people of faith. Through writing, a podcast, and a YouTube Channel, Kevin creates communities focused on authentic spiritual exploration, addressing harmful beliefs and developing healthy spiritual practices.

Kevin holds a Master’s in Practical Theology from Columbia Theological Seminary (2020) and a Bachelor’s in Choral Music Education from Christopher Newport University (2013). In addition to LGBTQ advocacy and spiritual growth, Kevin enjoys karaoke nights at their local queer bar, tacos at the greatest dives, telling terrible dad jokes, and being a mother to the bestest pitty-mix in the world, Tippy Noo’.

Watch this workshop from QCF ‘24 to get an idea of what kinda vibe I’m bringing…

Here’s what I’m good at talking about.

Losing it All. Finding My Self:

Leaving Bad Religion & Learning to Live

In this deeply moving talk, I share my journey of coming out as Queer in a conservative Southern family and community, where fear and self-hatred were ever-present. Growing up, I was taught that love and acceptance could only be found in the afterlife—if I could change who I was. Ex-gay therapy only deepened this shame.

Coming out was my act of rebellion, my declaration of self-worth, and it opened me to a world of love and acceptance I never thought possible. I discuss the emotional toll of suppressing one’s true identity, the challenges of navigating and leaving hostile environments, and the transformative power of embracing the Great Love deep within all of us.

This is a raw reflection on the pain of rejection and the joy of self-acceptance. It’s a call to courage, a testament to resilience, and a reminder that real love starts with unbearable compassion and truly unconditional love of self.

What Makes You Bloom:

Cultivating a practice for connecting with your Divine Self.

So many of us are leaving conservative faith traditions behind, rightly saying goodbye to toxic theology, bigotry, and harm. But in the process, we often lose our rhythm of gathering, prayer, and worship. We may even lose our sense of connection to God. And we think it's our fault. So here's your reminder: We don't need saving because we were never in danger. We don't need to get found because we've never been lost. Everything we need to connect with the Divine is already inside us.

Through stories, insights, and guided meditations, I share how the goal of every spiritual practice should be about the attainment of peace--about finding what truly makes you bloom. Along the way, you will discover that the smallest changes in your life can bring about the biggest transformations, and that a feeling of bliss is only a few breaths away.

Bad Theology Kills:

Undoing Toxic Beliefs and Reclaiming your Spiritual Authority

Even if you didn't grow up religious, we all learned how to submit to an authority other than our true Self. We picked up toxic beliefs that keep us playing it small and developed habits of self-sabatoge. This is how we undo those lies. In this talk, I share my story of leaving fundamentalism and embracing a wide open space and a universal Love so powerful that I did what I thought impossible: I healed. I fell in love with myself. I got free.

We’ll cover some basic theological devices for undoing toxic ideologies and dive deep into some amazing liberatory spiritual practices. It’s part sermon, part theological presentation, part comedy special.

Other topics I cover and speak on often…

  • Sacred masculinity and men's work

  • DEI work, re: LGBTQ+ issues in the workplace

  • Activism + Faith

  • Sexual ethics

  • Adult Sex Ed

  • Trans + Non-Binary identity

  • LGBTQ history + current events

  • Queer Youth empowerment

  • Mindfulness and yoga

  • Interfaith spiritual practice

  • Recovering from spiritual + religious trauma

  • Spiritual practice for Seminarians.

  • Spiritual burnout and clergy care

  • Creating content for social change

  • book writing

  • Spiritual entrepreneurship

  • figuring out who the f*ck you are and doing it on purpose

Let’s work together

I would absolutely love to create a dope event and magical space alongside you. Just fill out this lil form, and we’ll be in touch.

what the people are saying…

 

"As a queer person that was earnestly trying to connect to my faith, Kevin has brought words of comfort and compassion into a very difficult parts of my life."

— RV Mendoza
Queer Filipinx Performance Artist, Detroit

 

“Kevin Garcia was a pleasure to work with in every aspect imaginable. He is an amazing young person with a true talent and passion for motivating and being a light for those around him… he flawlessly put together an inspiring presentation that really hit home with our students.”

— Kelly Sanzari
Higher Education Professional

 

"Kevin is dynamic, engaging, and just plain FUN!"

— Matthias Roberts
Psychotherapist, author of “Beyond Shame",
and host of the Queerology podcast

Kevin Garcia has the unique gift to speak to a diverse audience and unify them for the common cause of community. His ability to showcase vulnerability, humility & humor while navigating tough & often uncomfortable conversations is a refreshing approach to engaging listeners within the Christian experience. If you're looking for someone who is well versed in LGBTQ inclusion with deep commitment to intersectionality, reach out to Kevin...

— Rachael Ward
United Church of Christ

 

"Kevin is authentic and disarming with his humor, but is filled with intellectual and spiritual wisdom!"

— Rev. Sarah Heath
Pastor, Author, Speaker, and host of Sonderlust: the podcast.