Center for Sexuality, Gender and Religion

Established through a generous contribution from Jeanne Audrey Powers

The importance of issues related to gender and sexuality are underappreciated in institutions devoted to the study of religion and the training of religious leaders.[1] The goal of the Center for Sexuality, Gender and Religion is to foster intellectual inquiry, open dialogue, and informed praxis within religious communities on the complex issues of gender and sexuality. Recognizing and affirming the diversity of Southern California and today’s world, the Center seeks to provide education and encourage communication within and across religious affiliations, ideological bases, and cultural contexts.

The program was established in 1995 as "The Center for Sexuality and Christian Life." In 2011, the name was changed to reflect the broader context in which issues of sexuality and gender are currently explored by scholars affiliated with the Center and with Claremont School of Theology.

Religious Institute Sexually Healthy and Responsible SeminariesClaremont School of Theology was selected in 2012 as one of the twenty most sexually healthy and responsible seminaries by the Religious Institute.

Beyond Inclusion: Sexual Diversity & CST

Recent and Forthcoming Activities

  • CSGR will be co-sponsoring a panel discussion on "Feminist Theologies: Past, Present, and Future" on February 7 at 7pm (with a dessert reception prior beginning at 6pm) in the Board of Trustees Room of Harper Hall at Claremont Graduate University. The panel will feature Karen Jo Torjesen, Rosemary Radford Ruether, Gina Messina-Dysert, Sheila Briggs, and Zayn Kassam and will be moderated by Grace Yia-Hei Kao. The event is free and open to the public.
  • Women and Violence in Africa, the Plight of Widows and the Churches' ResponseCSGR co-sponsored, with the Women’s Studies in Religion at Claremont Graduate University, the 2011 Pat A. Reif Memorial Lecture featuring Mercy Amba Oduyoye. The lecture, entitled "Women and Violence in Africa, the Plight of Widows and the Churches' Response" was held on November 14, 2011.
  • Student and alumnus speak on 'Queering the Bible'CSGR sent CST seminarian Ruth Marston and CST alumnus Amanda Pumphrey to speak at San Gabriel Valley Pride's LGBT Community Unity Day on October 8, 2011. They delivered a well-received presentation on "Queering the Bible."
  • CST Students with Jeanne Audrey PowersCSGR financed two students (Nora Jacob and Ruth Marston) to represent CST at the August 25-28, 2011 Sing a New Song conference that was jointly sponsored by the Reconciling Ministries Network and Methodist Federation for Social Action. Photo: Nora Jacob, Jeanne Audrey Powers (Founding Donor), and Ruth Marston.
  • CSGR contributed around $2,000 to build CST's holdings in LGBTQI ministry, sexuality and theology/spirituality, queer theology, queer theory, and queer studies
  • CSGR sponsored The Vagina Monologues (February 10-12, 2011) to benefit the Faith Trust Institute and House of Ruth.
  • CSGR is a sponsoring institution of The Human Rights Commission Foundation LGBT Scholarship and Mentorship Program for Religion and Theological Study

Co-directors

Carleen Mandolfo

cmandolfo@cst.edu | (909) 447-2544

Grace Yia-Hei Kao

gkao@cst.edu | (909) 447-2530

Duane Bidwell

dbidwell@cst.edu | (909) 447-2528

[1] A 2009 study by the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality found an “overwhelming need” for better education and preparation of religious leaders in the area of human sexuality, citing a lack of appropriate education, self-reflection, formation, and skills development to engage these issues effectively after graduation.