As Pride Month gets underway across the nation, author and LGBTQ+ activist Regina V. Cates delivers a timely and transformative message with her new book, The Real Conversation Jesus Wants Us to Have: A Call to Bravery, Peace, and Love. More than just a memoir or spiritual reflection, this powerful work is a rallying cry for LGBTQ+ individuals and others seeking to heal from the wounds of religious exclusion.
Raised in a conservative Christian community in Texas, Cates endured sexual abuse and years of rejection and shame for her sexual orientation. Yet, rather than abandoning her faith, she embarked on a deeply personal journey of reclamation—transforming pain into purpose, and shame into spiritual empowerment.
“This isn’t a traditional religious book,” Cates explains. “It’s a wake-up call. A reckoning. A roadmap back to what Jesus actually taught—unconditional love, radical inclusion, and fierce compassion.”
Blending memoir, spiritual insight, and sharp social commentary, The Real Conversation Jesus Wants Us to Have examines how fear-based religious doctrines have distorted the true message of Jesus, causing profound harm to LGBTQ+ people for generations. From topics like racism and political corruption to sexual abuse and abortion, Cates engages in courageous dialogue, refusing to shy away from the difficult truths often left unspoken in faith communities.
At its core, the book is a bold invitation—to reclaim a relationship with spirituality free from dogma, rooted instead in authenticity, love, and justice.
For readers of faith, for queer individuals navigating their identities, and for anyone seeking deeper meaning in a fractured world, Cates’ message is urgent and unflinchingly honest. In an era where religious rhetoric is often used to justify discrimination, The Real Conversation Jesus Wants Us to Have stands as a fierce affirmation of spiritual belonging for all.
Cates is no stranger to inspiring transformation. As the founder of Romancing Your Soul, she has built a global following with her messages of courage, compassion, and self-love. Her previous book, Lead with Your Heart, became an international bestseller, touching the lives of readers across the world.
With her latest release, she furthers her mission—to ignite healing, visibility, and self-worth, especially for queer people navigating the complex intersections of identity and belief.
The Real Conversation Jesus Wants Us to Have is now available for purchase on Amazon.
