God says 'gay rights': queering Christian theology in the Good Omens fandom

• Published in: Culture and religion Vol. 22; no. 1; pp. 64 - 83
• Main Author: Romanzi, Valentina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 02.01.2021; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Christian theology; Emancipation; Fan fiction; fan studies; Fandom; Fiction; God; Good Omens; Inclusion; Independence movements; LGBTQ people; LGBTQ+ liberation; Queer theology; Source materials; Theology
• ISSN: 1475-5610; 1475-5629
• DOI: 10.1080/14755610.2023.2177316

In this essay I investigate how fandom discourse comments on, adapts, and reinvents existing theology. Using a selection of Good Omens fan works and 'meta' online posts as a case study, I argue that they welcome instances of queer theology while moving forward issues pertaining to the LGBTQ+ liberation movement. In expanding and altering the source material, fan fiction authors retrieve Biblical myths to legitimise the inclusion of queer individuals in Christian theology - the stated intent of the LGBTQ+ liberation movement. Additionally, they often offer a revisited, inclusive depiction of God as the 'ur-ally', framing them/her/him as an 'ineffable' figure made of encompassing and all-accepting love. Moreover, Good Omens fan fiction situates the binary forces of Heaven and Hell as the antagonists to the much more nuanced and queer-coded protagonists, who embrace humanity and reject notions of hard-set dichotomies. This celebration of queerness as opposed to strict dualisms fits into the purported goals of queer theology, which has no direct interest in finding a place for queer people within the existing Christian tradition, but rather works towards the dismantling of harmful dualities.