Nomad for God

About the Book

This book is Dusty Pruitt’s memoir about growing up Born Again in a fundamentalist Baptist household, coming out as a lesbian as a young woman in her ‘20’s, and her struggle to reconcile God, Gays and the Bible. Along the way Pruitt recounts her time as an active duty officer in the Women’s Army Corps, and her lawsuit against the US Army to be able to serve as an openly gay servicemember. Pruitt’s life as a pastor to the LGBT+ community and beyond chronicles the joys and heartaches of being a pastor to which all clergy who have served local parishes can relate. The theme that runs throughout all the book is God’s faithfulness and the enduring lessons learned in early childhood about how to “keep the faith”.

About the Author

Rev. Dusty Pruitt was a pioneer in the LGBT+ movement from 1972 when she joined the Metropolitan Community Church, a Christian church with a primary outreach to the LGBT+ community. In 1976 she became a professional minister in MCC where she served 8 churches over a career of over 40 years. In 1983 she was outed by a Los Angeles Times article to the Army, where she was serving as a reservist after 5 years’ active duty prior to becoming a minister. This event triggered a 12-year battle to be able to serve openly in the Armed Services, not only on Pruitt’s behalf but also on behalf of all LGBT+ individuals. Pruitt won that battle and was retired in the Army Reserve after 20 years’ service. After retiring from the ministry, Pruitt lives with her spouse of 20 years in Santa Fe, New Mexico.