52. Miss Peppermint: Growing Up in Church & Christian Nationalism’s Impact on the Trans Community

52. A Different Side of Miss Peppermint: Growing Up in Church, Activism & Christian Nationalism’s Impact on the Trans Community

What changes when we simply listen? In this moment in history, listening and empathy are essential.

Miss Peppermint joins Alexis Rice for a joyful, vulnerable conversation about faith, storytelling, tea, Christian nationalism, and what the trans community needs from allies now.

Raised in Presbyterian and Southern Baptist churches, Miss Peppermint remembers the music and community, as well as anti-LGBTQ teachings from the pulpit. Though she is no longer a practicing Christian, she explains why she chose this conversation.

Together they explore:

• How anti-LGBTQ theology affects queer and trans people
• How Christian nationalism weaponizes faith, fear, power, and violence
• What it means for a church to be truly open and affirming
• Why rainbow branding and shared identity are not enough
• Housing, healthcare, food, safety, employment, and workplace protections
• Why churches, labor movements, and LGBTQ+ communities should organize together
• Drag Race, Broadway, Survival of the Thickest, Love Is Blind, scary movies, sports, and mint chocolate chip ice cream

She also shares the story behind Transcendence, the color-changing tea she created with @moody.teas. A portion of every purchase supports @transequalitynow and its work for trans rights and essential resources.

Transcendence: https://shop.moodyteas.co/shop/transcendence-color-changing-joy-blend-with-miss-peppermint-3415

This conversation does not ask Miss Peppermint to defend her humanity. It makes room for Christians to hear how our faith has affected her and decide what love of neighbor requires from us now.

✨ Guest

• Miss Peppermint: Actress, singer, Broadway performer, activist, @glaad and @aclu_nationwide board member, and @nycpride Grand Marshal | IG: @peppermint247

???? People, Projects & Resources Mentioned

• Moody Teas @moody.teas | Advocates for Trans Equality @transequalitynow
• John Fugelsang, Separation of Church and Hate @johnfugelsang
• Andrew Whitehead, American Idolatry @andrewwhitehead
• The Necessary Conversation @thenecessaryconversationpod
• Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde @mariannbudde | James Talarico @jamestalarico
• Rev. Brandan Robertson, Queer & Christian @brandanrobertson
• Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez, Conversion Therapy Dropout @timothy.s.rodriguez
• Kathy V. Baldock, Forging a Sacred Weapon @kathyvbaldock
• Rocky Roggio, 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture @1946themovie
• Rev. Jim Keat @revjimruns | Riverside Church @riversidenyc
• Michelle Buteau @michellebuteau | Netflix @netflix Survival of the Thickest
• Lance Bass @lancebass | Joey Fatone @realjoeyfatone | Cocktail Wars @cocktailwarstv
• Zohran Mamdani @zohrankmamdani | AOC @aoc | Kristin Chenoweth @kchenoweth | Don Lemon @donlemonofficial
• RuPaul’s Drag Race @rupaulsdragrace
Footage courtesy of Netflix and E!

#MissPeppermint #TransRights #ChristianNationalism #Christianity #Deconstruction #ProgressiveChristianity #LGBTQ