- Thursday, February 5, 2015
- 7:00 PM–8:30 PM
- Covenant Fine Arts Center Auditorium
Few topics are more contested today than gender identity. In the fog of the culture war, complex issues like gender dysphoria are reduced to slogans and sound bites. And while the war rages over language, institutions and political allegiances, transgender individuals are the ones who end up being the casualties.
Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture
Mark Yarhouse, an expert in sexual identity and therapy, challenges the church to rise above the political hostilities and listen to people’s stories. In this talk based on his forthcoming book of the same title, Dr. Yarhouse offers a Christian perspective on transgender issues that eschews simplistic answers and appreciates the psychological and theological complexity, engaging the latest research while remaining pastorally sensitive to the experiences of each person.
Mark Yarhouse is the Hughes Endowed Chair and Professor of Psychology at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Dr. Yarhouse has spent several years promoting dialogue between people who view the topic of sexual identity differently. Fifteen years ago he chaired a groundbreaking symposium at the American Psychological Association’s annual convention that brought together gay psychologists and conventionally religious psychologists to discuss common ground for people sorting out sexual identity conflicts. He currently serves as Chair of the task force on LGBT issues for Division 36 (Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Yarhouse was named Senior Fellow with the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities to conduct a study of students navigating sexual identity concerns at Christian colleges, and he has been a consultant to the National Institute of Corrections under the Department of Justice to address issues facing sexual minorities in corrections. Dr. Yarhouse is author or coauthor of several books, the most recent being Understanding Gender Dysphoria, forthcoming from InterVarsity Press Academic later this summer.
Free and open to the public. Livestream will also be available for this event.
Sponsored by the Sexuality Series, Campus Ministries, Broene Counseling Center, Psychology, Sociology and Social Work, Gender Studies, Residence Life, Gender Equality Now, the Gender Equity Committee and SAGA.
