In
this event, Dr. Todd will present research about the process some Christian
faith communities engage in to become and then live out being open and inclusive
to the LGBTQIA+ community. There will be a broad discussion on historic context
and research focused on the intersections of religious and LGBTQIA+ identities.
He will discuss a movement within Protestant Christianity to create LGBTQIA+
open and inclusive faith communities. Dr. Todd will discuss his ongoing project
“Becoming and Being Open and Inclusive Faith Communities” where he has
interviewed over 70 people across the U.S. from different Protestant Christian
faith traditions. Dr. Todd will highlight general principles of inclusion that
apply to faith communities, interpersonal relationships, the college campus,
and beyond.
Dr. Nathan Todd is
a Professor of Psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In
his research he focuses on religious spaces such as congregations to understand
how they may provide places of belonging, connection, and avenues to engage in
social justice. He also does research on LGBTQIA+ health equity and LGBTQIA+
religion and spirituality. Dr. Todd’s study of LGBTQIA+ open and inclusive
congregations is funded by the Louisville Institute; and he has shared his work
through academic publications and presentations. Overall, he hopes that his
work brings visibility and promotes constructive dialogue around issues of
LGBTQIA+ inclusion in religious spaces and beyond.
