A Bold Story of Redemption.

Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry

Published: September 3, 2018

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Audience: 12+

Synopsis

Jackie Hill Perry’s powerful memoir chronicles her journey from same-sex attraction and a self-described lifestyle rooted in rebellion to a transformed life of faith in Jesus. With honesty, poetic prose, and theological reflection, Perry explores her past, including childhood trauma, questions about identity, and the struggle of submitting desires to God. Rather than focusing solely on sexuality, the book centers on God’s love, holiness, and the ongoing process of sanctification. It’s a testimony about identity found not in labels or desires, but in being made new in Christ.

Review

I know that a lot of people have been hurt in reading or being gifted this book. When a book like this is used more as a weapon than a witness, it’s easy to see how the recipient may feel more condemned and even manipulated than loved.

While reading, I was curious how the LGBTQ+ community responded to Gay Girl, Good God when it was published and thereafter. Naturally, I jumped into Reddit threads and TikTok posts - and my heart grew heavy. The responses were complex: some felt hurt, confused, angry, betrayed, or simply disappointed. Many of the more negative posts outright slandered JHP, her faith, calling her marriage a farce, and suggesting she was forced to hide who she really is by a manipulative community.

And honestly, if someone told me that where I find my identity was sinful, I’d probably be offended too; So I am not surprised by the pushback to Perry calling out sin in the LGBTQ+ lifestyle. That being said, this was a great read, a moving memoir, and a powerful testimony of God’s love, grace, and transforming power.

One thing I think many critics overlook is how often Jackie clarifies: this is her story, not a blueprint for every LGBTQ+ Christian. It's a personal account of how God met her, changed her from the inside out, and gave her a new identity rooted in Him.

What stood out most in her writing was Jackie’s artistry and humility. As a spoken word poet and accomplished speaker, she crafts her prose with beauty, rhythm, and emotional resonance. She had me hooked, laughing, crying, and further contemplating for a few days.

Lastly, but most poignantly, Jackie always points back to God. Over and over again, she writes about surrendering her pride, her desires, and her sense of self to give God glory. In a world obsessed with “me”, Jackie invites the reader to find purpose in reflecting the One who created us in His image. This theme hit me hard and reminded me of Romans 1:25, “because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.”

This was a bold and vulnerable book, and I’m grateful I got to read a part of Jackie’s story. Man, this must have been hard to write, and that makes it all the more powerful.

book cover: Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry