The Trinity Episcopal Church’s LGBTQ Action Committee was organized in June of 2012 to support the youth of our community who are struggling with sexual identity issues and searching for a spiritual home. The group joined efforts with All Under One Roof whose goal is to provide a safe and empowering environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning youth and the ISU Anderson Gender Center. The Gender Center takes part in commemorating nationally-designated months and events designed to draw attention to particular gender-related issues.
After offering a very successful film series in 2012-13, the Trinity LGBTQ Action Committee decided to sponsor a lecture series this year on the various aspects of sexual identity. The series will start on Monday, October 14th at 7:00 pm in the Trinity Parish Hall, at the corner of Lander and North Arthur Ave, with a lecture by Christopher Loether, professor from Idaho State University.
The topic of the first lecture is Homosexuality across Time and Cultures. This talk will focus on the practice of homosexuality both in ancient Europe, namely among the Greeks and Romans, and also among Native North American peoples. Primarily in Greek society, and to a lesser extent in Roman society, homosexuality and specifically pederasty, was practiced among upper class males. It was considered an important step in a young man’s education. Homosexuality in many Native American societies was seen, and still is seen by some, as a gift from the Creator, and homosexuals were considered a third gender with a ritualized place in society.
Christopher Loether is an anthropologist who specializes in western Native American languages and cultures. He is currently the Assistant Chairman of the Anthropology Department at Idaho State University, as well as the Associate Director of the American Indian Studies Program and the Co-Director of the Shoshoni Language Project.
The second lecture in the series will be held on November 11th at 7:00 pm in the Trinity Parish Hall and the topic is The Development of Sexual Identity. There are many different ideas about how one develops their sexual identity. Is it entirely biological? Do social and environmental factors influence your sexual identity? Can your identity change over your lifespan? These are some of the questions we will address as we look at current research and theories about how our sexual identity comes to be.
Presented by Emily E. Prior, MA, Executive Director of Center for Positive Sexuality in Los Angeles, and Adjunct Sociology Professor at Idaho State University, College of the Canyons, and Pasadena City College. More information about Emily and the Center can be found here: https://www.positivesexuality.org
Coffee and dessert will be served.
Questions? Email info@trinitypocatello.org or call 208.233.2640