The Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) at Hope College will present the first address in its new Affirming LGBTQ+ Students Lecture Series as a virtual event on Tuesday, March 1, at 6:30 p.m. Rev. M Barclay, who is co-founder and director of enfleshed, will deliver a keynote on the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ students on Christian campuses and answer questions.
The speaker will be participating remotely, and there will be no in-person audience. The event can be watched via livestream at hope.edu/live or on the Hope College YouTube Channel. Advance registration is not required, and viewing is free.
Topics that will be addressed include how to support and include LGBTQ+ students on a religious campus; and how to extend belonging, understanding and grace to students who have been and continue to feel marginalized, and to affirm who they are. The lecture is the beginning of a conversation that CDI will continue in forthcoming semesters with other outside speakers.
Rev. M Barclay (they/them) has lived in the intersection of Christianity and queer-trans life. Their non-profit, enfleshed, creates and provides resources for spiritual nourishment to reduce harm, transform justice and develop strategy. M comes from a deep southern fundamentalist faith background. From their website: “M loves the opportunity to share and discuss and experience together these complicated human journeys.” M’s background includes: hospital chaplaincy, working with youth, organizing faith, over a decade of LGBTQIA advocacy, and other forms of justice work.
The presentation is sponsored by the college’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Prism, Women’s and Gender Studies Program, and Emmaus Scholars Program, and Hope Church of Holland.