On May 21, the Adler School’s LGBTQ Mental Health and Inclusion Center and Institute on Social Exclusion (ISE) will present “Religion: The Black LGBTQ Experience.” Join us for discussion on internal and external conflicts for African-American sexual minorities that are created when religious and sexual orientation identities do not reconcile with each other. Learn about coping strategies used to bring about more harmonious coexistence of those separate identities, and how ministers are actively counseling African-American sexual minorities to bring about spiritual healing and identity cohesion.
Our features guest speakers will be the Rev. Kevin Tindell and the Rev. Benjamin Reynolds:
- The Rev. Kevin Tindell, an ordained minister and life coach, is active in Black Same Gender Loving (SGL) spiritual groups, and counsels and coaches many who struggle with their identities, especially with regard to spirituality and sexuality. He is founder of Centered Ministries, a coaching practice, and is on the ministry staff of New Dimensions Worship Center Chicago, a metaphysical Christian ministry. Tindell’s community involvement has included The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries, Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches, Chicago Theological Seminary, Chicago Black Lesbians and Gays, Youth Pride Center, Equality Illinois, Chicago Advisory Council on LGBT issues, and much more.
- The Rev. Benjamin Reynolds has been preaching for more than 36 years and has been called “The People’s Preacher.” He served in a pastoral role within the Baptist church of his upbringing for nearly 16 years, before resigning and “coming out” to the congregation about his sexual orientation. He has completed two interim positions within the United Church of Christ (UCC) – Community UCC, Boulder, Colorado and Pilgrim Congregational UCC, Oak Park, Illinois. He is seeking Privilege of Call within the denomination at Pilgrim Congregational UCC in Oak Park. Most recently, he has been called to serve as Interim Pastor for the First Church of Brethren in Chicago. Reynolds is a Ph.D. student in the area of theology, ethics, and human science. He worked three years, until last August, as Director of the LGBTQ Religious Studies Center at the Chicago Theological Seminary. He was recipient of the 2008-09 Gilberto Castañeda Award , an honor given in support of gay and lesbian seminaries.
The discussion will take place Monday, May 21, at the Adler School’s Chicago Campus in Community Hall, from 8 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. Breakfast will be served. RSVP to ce@adler.edu by May 14 to attend.
