Theo-Ethical Explorations of Same-Sex Love (1.5 credits)

Instructor: Mary Hunt
July 10 – 14, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm

Decades of debate in religious circles yield precious little consensus on same-sex love. This course will offer an historical look at how homophobia and heterosexism still hold sway, despite compelling reasons for eradicating them. We will ask what images of the divine, what anthropological assumptions, and what visions of the common good ground such discrimination. We will outline the counterpoints needed to develop a queerfriendly world using resources from the world's religions, queer theory, and related data.

Gender/Sexuality in African American Communities (1.5 credits)

Instructor: Donna Allen
July 10 – 14, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm

This course examines the intersections of gender and sexuality in the shaping of the historical experiences of African Americans. This is a broad exploration of how cultural understandings of race have impacted cultural understandings of gender and sexuality (and vice versa); how dominant cultural notions of gender and sexuality have influenced relations of power between blacks and whites; and how gender and sexuality have shaped relationships within African American communities.

Queering Biblical Interpretation (1.5 credits

Instructor: Tim Koch
July 17 – 21, 8:30 am – 12:30 p.m.

This course explores methods of reading and interpreting biblical texts from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender - or generally queer - perspectives. While the emphasis will be on texts from the Hebrew Bible, Christian scriptures will also be considered. Attention will be given to the implications of this approach to biblical texts for theology, spirituality and ministry.

Queer Religious Activists (1.5 credits)

Instructor: Bernard Schlager
July 31 – Aug 4, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm

This course will offer an historical survey of leading LGBT religious figures in the late 20th and early 21st -centuries. Particular focus will placed on exploring the activism and writings of select women and men who have been outstanding leaders in queer liberation and religion throughout the world. The cultural, historical, and religious contexts of these leaders will be treated in an effort to understand the roles that these pioneers have played in queer liberation movements within religious organizations and societies at large. Analysis of the legacy of these individuals and their movements will also be highlighted.