Although the LGBT movement has made rapid gains in the United
States, LGBT people continue to face discrimination in faith
communities. In this book, sociologist Jonathan S. Coley documents
why and how student activists mobilize for greater inclusion at
Christian colleges and universities. Drawing on interviews with
student activists at a range of Christian institutions of higher
learning, Coley shows that students, initially drawn to activism
because of their own political, religious, or LGBT identities, are
forming direct action groups that transform university policies,
educational groups that open up campus dialogue, and solidarity
groups that facilitate their members' personal growth. He also
shows how these LGBT activists apply their skills and values after
graduation in subsequent political campaigns, careers, and family
lives, potentially serving as change agents in their faith
communities for years to come. Coley's findings shed light on a new
frontier of LGBT activism and challenge prevailing wisdom about the
characteristics of activists, the purpose of activist groups, and
ultimately the nature of activism itself. For more information
about this project's research methodology and theoretical
grounding, please visit http://jonathancoley.com/book