Leigh Finke was the first openly trans woman to be elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. She authored and championed Minnesota's Trans Refuge Bill and has worked tirelessly to expand LGBTQ+ protections in her state. She is also a Christian and author of Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: A Guide for LGBTQ+ Christian Teens. She spoke to Jonty, for Beer Christianity and an article in Issue 9 of Shibboleth magazine, about being trans in America and in politics, about how the "conversation" has shifted and about her own journey.

You can read the article by subscribing to Shibboleth and getting your copy in print from shibbolethmag.com where you can also read a small selection of articles from previous issues. You can find more from this podcast at beerchristianity.co.uk or scroll back wherever you get your podcasts.

Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist, anti-racist, pro-LGBTQ+, pro-environment, pro-Palestine, pro-feminist, pro-Jesus podcast that is not nearly as serious as this makes it sound.

Bread and Rosaries is the *other* UK Christian leftist podcast, and we are delighted to have Adam and Ben on this episode, talking about their show, Keir Starmer and The King of the North.

Along the way, Jonty, Laura, Malky, Adam and Ben define what a "sick freak" is, lament Bible college and tertiary education in general, and ask the all-important question: how does your favourite politician stack up against Ho Chi Minh? This is a very fun episode and we laugh a lot, and we also discuss the more serious topic of why so many people feel respect, admiration and affection for Keir Starmer (when he's been high-key worthless on the genocide in Gaza), and why those same people are excited about Andy "Diet Starmer" Burnham, the PR-crowned "King of the North". Because the bar is now so low, having a reasonable bus service makes you... well... Uncle Ho. Check out Bread and Rosaries at breadandrosaries.com

Check out Shibboleth magazine, which has featured articles by both Adam and Ben, at shibbolethmag.com

Siskin Green is a Folk trio from Scotland, making music that bridges the spaces between tradition and radicalism, faith and feminism, anger and grace.

Their sound blends the gentle and the playful, integrating lyrics that span centuries with concerns that have never been more urgent. They're also, it turns out, pretty funny. And they have a new album out in August 2026.

On Episode 119 of Beer Christianity, Jonty catches up with two thirds of Siskin Green, Margaret McLarty and Suzanne Butler, to talk about feminism, art as resistance, grace and the power of kindness. It's a lot of fun.

You can support Siskin Green while listening to their music on the Siskin Green Bandcamp page, where you can hear all the songs mentioned in this episode. And you can find more about them at siskingreen.com

You can listen to Episode 119 anywhere: in your car by a loch; in a long line of women; in any space full of wist; or right here…