Why talk about gender identity and faith?
What's really at stake in these Queer Conversations?
78% of transgender people have had suicidal thoughts; 40% of adults report suicide attempts
Health and Wellbeing Report
In the past year, more than 50% of transgender and nonbinary youth seriously considered suicide; nearly 1 in 5 of them made an attempt.
TheTrevorProject.org
More than 75% of trans and nonbinary youth report symptoms of anxiety; nearly two-thirds of them describe experiencing depression.
TheTrevorProject.org
93% of transgender and nonbinary youth worry about being denied gender-affirming medical care because of state or local laws; 91% worry about being denied access to their preferred restroom.
TheTrevorProject.org
LGBTQ youth who live in an accepting community report significantly lower rates of suicide attempts.
TheTrevorProject.org
LGBTQ youth who felt high social support from their family reported attempting suicide at less than half the rate of those lacking such support.
TheTrevorProject.org
78% of transgender people have had suicidal thoughts; 40% of adults report suicide attempts
Health and Wellbeing Report
More than 75% of trans and nonbinary youth report symptoms of anxiety; nearly two-thirds of them describe experiencing depression.
TheTrevorProject.org
LGBTQ youth who live in an accepting community report significantly lower rates of suicide attempts.
TheTrevorProject.org
In the past year, more than 50% of transgender and nonbinary youth seriously considered suicide; nearly 1 in 5 of them made an attempt.
TheTrevorProject.org
93% of transgender and nonbinary youth worry about being denied gender-affirming medical care because of state or local laws; 91% worry about being denied access to their preferred restroom.
TheTrevorProject.org
LGBTQ youth who felt high social support from their family reported attempting suicide at less than half the rate of those lacking such support.
TheTrevorProject.org
For family members and friends who are struggling to support, understand, and embrace the change
For ministry leaders and people of faith who seek to create communities of welcome and safety
For queer folks willing to engage the conversation, build connections, and renew their hope for change
Come in-person on June 1, 15, and 29! 1075 First Ave, King of Prussia PA 19406
Connect with the queer community
Get to know our LGBTQ+ siblings and experience transformation in new friendships
Strengthen local networks of support
Share resources among families, congregations, and community organizations.
Enjoy Pride-themed mocktails together!
Refresh and fortify yourself in storytelling, laughter and fellowship.
Beyond the binary | June 1 @ 7:00 pm EDT [hybrid]
Let's begin by talking about gender identity! What is gender? Why does it matter so much today? Together, we’ll learn about gender-expansive and transgender identities to better understand and support our queer siblings in Christ. And we'll consider how all of this affects the families and communities who love queer folks!
Let's talk about...
What is gender identity? How is it different from sexuality?
Why do chosen names and pronouns matter?
What puts trans and genderqueer people at risk?
What can we do to better understand, support, love, and protect our queer family members, friends, and neighbors?
Meet our featured speakers
Jo Saba, MA (he/him)
Senior Lecturer, Psychology | Eastern University
Jo Saba is a Senior Lecturer of Psychology at Eastern University, where he has taught since 2006. As coordinator of Psychology Department internships, he serves as the faculty supervisor for all field placements in the BA and the BS tracks. He also serves as faculty advisor for Refuge, the campus fellowship for LGBTQ+ students, allies, and those who want to learn more. As a psychotherapist in the field of counseling he has maintained a clinical practice for over a decade.
Rev. Jennifer Stewart, PhD (she/her)
Director, Healing & Transforming Ministries | ABHMS
As director of Healing & Transforming Communities, Jennifer Stewart co-creates spaces for healing, justice, and transformation across churches, communities, and the systems that shape them. This role allows her to integrate faith, strategy, and innovation to help restore hope and dignity to those often overlooked or oppressed. She is also a family and marriage therapist in private practice. She holds a PhD in Nursing, an MDiv, and a master's in Marriage and Family Therapy.
Faith leaders in conversation | June 8 @ 7:00 pm EDT [online only]
Join us as ministry leaders discuss gender identity, theological debates, family crises, and compassionate care. Delve into practical questions of faith, identity, and prophetic ministry and be transformed by the experience.
Let's talk about...
Intentionality in how we preach and teach about gender identity
How to create safe and supportive spaces for trans, nonbinary and gender-expansive people (especially youth)
Creative strategies for increasing your congregation's understanding of queer people
Compassionate models for welcoming queer folks into fellowship and leadership
Meet the pastoral panelists
Rev. Louis Mitchell (he/him)
Senior Pastor | Rincon Congregational UCC
Rev. Marcia Bailey (she/her)
Pastor | First Baptist Church of Pottstown
Rev. Evan Duncan (he/him)
Pastor | Baptist Church of West Chester
Min. P. Ryan Granucci (he/him)
Pastor | The Open Door, Evergreen Baptist of LA
Queer voices: Telling our stories | June 15 @ 7:00 pm EDT [hybrid]
It's time to hear from our transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive siblings themselves. This week we welcome four online guests who will honor us with their stories of faith and struggle, of hurt and healing. We will learn from them the ways that the church has fallen short--and what we can do as individuals and communities of faith to create safe and supportive spaces for our queer family members, neighbors, and friends.
Let's learn about...
Gender identity and expression from those who are living the transgender and gender-expansive experience
Fears, anxieties, and struggles on the journey to self-acceptance and affirmation
Helpful steps that allies and advocates can take to heal the harm and support our siblings in Christ
What the church needs to know about including and welcoming queer folks in worship, fellowship, and ministry engagement
Meet our featured guests
Rev. JaQuan K. Beachem (he/they)
Moderator - Queer | Pastor, Scholar, Artist-Activist
Ilán Carlos Pabellón Román (he/him/él)
Panelist - Transman | Seminarian, Choir Director
Gale Biddle (they/them)
Panelist - Nonbinary |
Karen Moore (they/she)
Panelist - Queer Genderfluid | Siċaŋġu Lakota Oyate, Indigenous Food Sovereignty
Faithful advocacy in action | June 22 @ 7:00 pm EDT [online only]
What is at stake in an environment of anti-LGBTQ and transphobic legislation? What are issues most critical for transgender people? What will affect the entire gender-expansive community? What do people of faith need to know, and how can we stand with and for our queer siblings in Christ? Join us for this webinar featuring a civil rights attorney and board member of the Transgender Law Center.
Let's talk about...
Trends in anti-transgender legislation--what they are and what they mean for gender-expansive people (and those who love them)
What's at stake for the queer community in relation to these trends
Legislation related to gender-affirming medical care, so-called bathroom bills, in public spaces and in schools
Local and national resources for advocacy, including action plans for getting involved in making change
Meet our featured speakers
TBA (pronouns)
Title | Organization
Biography to come
Rev. Brian Henderson, DMin (he/him)
Executive Director | Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists
Brian Henderson is an ordained American Baptist minister with more than 25 years of pastoral experience and a lifelong commitment to building churches that fully welcome and affirm LGBTQ+ people. He has been part of AWAB since 2019, serving on both the Board and Staff, and in 2024 he became its full-time Executive Director. Brian brings a deep appreciation for the diversity of Baptist life, and his leadership is shaped by collaboration, listening, and a belief that the church is strongest when all people are honored as beloved of God.
Queer health matters | June 29 @ 6:00 pm EDT [hybrid]
Whether you are a parent, pastor, caregiver, teacher, friend, or a queer person yourself, you won't want to miss this final session, featuring educator and trainer with the Gender and Sexuality Development Clinic with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). NOTE: This week will start at 6:00-7:00 pm EDT, and we will NOT be recording this session. Be sure to mark your calendar with the earlier time and plan to join us LIVE--online or in-person.
Let's talk about...
Diversity among trans and gender-expansive people!
Decisions about hormones and gender-affirming surgeries
Current issues related to medical insurance and costs
Resources for parents, caregivers, and queer folks of all ages
Meet our featured speaker
Anna M. Kiesnowski, MSW, LSW (she/her)
Consultant, Coach, and Educator | CHOP Gender & Sexuality Development Clinic
Anna Kiesnowski is sought after as an LGBTQIA educator, coach, consultant, and trainer. A licensed social worker who previously supervised the Gender Affirming Services programs including the Pediatric & Adolescent Comprehensive Transgender Services (PACTS) program at Mazzoni Center Family and Community Health Center, Anna's clinical experience emphasized work with transgender, gender non-conforming, nonbinary, and gender expansive identified children and teens, including support and guidance to their families and caregivers.
Want to make a difference in the lives of queer folks—especially our youth?
Join us in better understanding and supporting our trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive loved ones--including family members, neighbors, friends, and church members. Learn the language. Recognize their humanity. And explore the issues.
You'll become part of a life-saving community that offers safety and support for the most vulnerable among our queer siblings.