Sufjan Stevens Gives Health Update and Opinions on the Bible

Sufjan Stevens gave an interview to Vulture as part of the promotion of the 10th anniversary edition of his magnum opus, Carrie & Lowell. Oldtimers like me will remember the abandoned 50-states project that was floated after Illinois and Michigan; Carrie & Lowell is sometimes considered the Oregon-themed entry for that album series. The anniversary edition is out May 30.

Around the time of the release of Sufjan's last new album, Javelin, in 2023, he shared that he had been diagnosed with and was beginning to recover from Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disorder. He also shared that his longtime partner, Evans Richardson, had passed away, and the album was dedicated to him. This was the first time he had publicly referenced his sexuality.

Some quotes:
On his health: "I'm okay. Situation normal, all up, kind of a thing. I've had some pretty difficult things happen to me, so I'm in a state of repair and survival. I'm not really in any state of mind or any position to go on tour yet. But I'm starting to see the light. I'm starting to feel a sense of direction toward something meaningful and substantial. I've been focusing on the moment and on things that feel very silly and Zen: serenity and acceptance and duty and stewardship."
On the sensuality of the Bible and Catholicism: "I've always felt that my relationship to God is a very intimate and sensual one. Sacraments are. It's engaging with God in a physical way. You're literally eating the flesh and drinking the blood of God during the Eucharist. It doesn't get much more erotic than that. If you're a vampire, that's the ultimate erotic experience." (OP note: do we think he watches IWTV?)
"The Bible's very gay. Just all men. That's what you get when there's a patriarchy that's endured for so long. Jesus was single, never married; Disciples were all dudes …"

Source 1
Source 2

The cover photo from the Vulture story, shown above, is credited to Sufjan's late partner.