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God, Sex, and Health: Understanding LGBTQ Evangelical Christians and Toxic Shame

Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery (MDCL) 3020

11/03/2020, 3:00 pm - TO 11/03/2020 - 5:00 pm

Organizer: Hannah History of Medicine

My Calendar

Abstract:
Drawing from an interdisciplinary qualitative study of LGBTQ conservative Christians and their allies (conducted with co-investigator Theresa Tobin), we name an especially toxic form of shame—what we call sacramental shame—affecting LGBTQ and other conservative Christians. Sacramental shame results from conservative Christianity’s allegiance to the doctrine of gender complementarity, which elevates heteronormativity to the level of the sacred. This approach to gender/sexuality can lead others to sever relationship, intensifying the feeling of being unfit for any relationship. We will look in detail into these dynamics and end by discussing ways LGBTQ conservative Christians have overcome sacramental shame in order to flourish.

Biography:
Dawne Moon is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Marquette University. She is a qualitative sociologist who studies religion, sexuality, gender, and social power and received her PhD in sociology from the University of Chicago. She is the author of God, Sex, and Politics: Homosexuality and Everyday Theologies,and has published articles in theAmerican Journal of Sociology, Theory & Society, Hypatia, Gender & Society,and other scholarly journals. Most recently, she has been working with philosopher Theresa Tobin on a study of the conservative Protestant LGBTQ movement in North America.

This talk is co-sponsored by the following:
Department of Sociology
Department of English and Cultural Studies
Department of Family Medicine
Department of Religious Studies
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences
Bachelor of Health Sciences Program, Faculty of Health Sciences
Gender and Health Initiative, Faculty of Health Sciences

Talk details:
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery (MDCL) 3020

The History of Medicine and Medical Humanities Speaker Series is made possible by an endowment from Associated Medical Services (AMS).

For more information, please contact the Hannah Chair in the History of Medicine, Dr. Ellen Amster, x24144