The Passion of Christ: A Gay Vision by Doug Blanchard

1. Son of Man (Human One) with Job and Isaiah

Artist Doug Blanchard's series of 24 paintings depicting Jesus as a contemporary gay man in a modern city add a realistic backdrop to the emotional drama of the story. His work reimagines the dramatic events of Palm Sunday, the Last Supper, and Jesus' arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection.

These portraits still strike a nerve. An ad for the series was recently banned from Facebook, which initially classified it as an "adult product" that sought to "promote pornography." Ultimately, Facebook approved the ad after an appeal was submitted. In correspondence with The Advocate, a Facebook representative made note of the ad's final approval, without offering a reason for its initial rejection. LGBT Facebook users, such as photographer Michael Stokes, have repeatedly complained of their photos and other work being banned without explanation, with the most visible cases usually winning on appeal.

The book The Passion of Christ: A Gay Vision includes Blanchard's paintings and text by Kittredge Cherry of JesusInLove.blogspot.com. You can also learn more about the author and the painter there as well as find information on purchasing prints and other products.

2. Jesus Enters the City

3. Jesus Drives Out the Money Changers

5. The Last Supper

6. Jesus Prays Alone

7. Jesus Is Arrested

8. Jesus Before the Priests

10. Jesus Before the People

13. Jesus Goes to His Execution

15. Jesus Dies

18. Jesus Rises

20. Jesus Appears at Emmaus

23. The Holy Spirit Arrives

24. The Trinity

Buy the book to see the full series

The book can be purchased here.