The Drag Gospel of Queer Jesus, Chris Watkins

Description

The Drag Gospel of Queer Jesus by Chris Watkins is a paperback poetry collection that reimagines biblical language through a queer and trans lens, blending spirituality, drag culture, and the natural landscapes of Florida into a vibrant and inventive body of work.

In these poems, Watkins rescues sacred language from those who have used it to condemn queerness and instead transforms it into something playful, rebellious, and deeply reflective. Drawing inspiration from both classical and contemporary sources, the poems move effortlessly between biblical imagery, queer history, and modern cultural touchstones.

The collection celebrates gender nonconformity and the natural world while exploring the fluid boundaries between identity, faith, and performance. At times lyrical and contemplative, at others bold and irreverent, the poems echo the spirit of drag itself—simultaneously theatrical, thoughtful, and transformative.

Referencing figures as diverse as RuPaul, Marsha P. Johnson, William Shakespeare, and the writers of Genesis, The Drag Gospel of Queer Jesus offers a powerful poetic exploration of faith, identity, and the many ways language can be reclaimed and reinvented.

Listing details:
Author: Chris Watkins
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Saturnalia Books
Publication Date: March 15, 2026
ISBN: 9781947817968

Biographical Note:
Chrysanthemum (Chris) Brook Watkins is a trans poet, writer, and environmental activist living in North Florida. They spend as much time as they can on the water and in the swamps, and they are a proud board member of Apalachicola Riverkeeper. Chris received their PhD in Poetry with a focus in Ecopoetics and Environmental Writing, Poetic Forms, and Queer Literature from Florida State University. Chris now works as the Academics and Partnerships Coordinator at FSU’s Office of Sustainability (Sustainable Campus) and teaches both writing and sustainability courses.