Religious groups have varying stances on issues of gender roles, gender identity and inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals. At the Center for Religion and Civic Culture, we are interested in how these stances affect not only members’ personal lives, but also their relationships within their congregations, their political attitudes and values and voting decisions. Some congregations are “open and affirming” to LGBTQ+ individuals and embrace women’s leadership. For other people of faith, opposition to abortion and reproductive rights, gay marriage and transgender rights are key political issues. While Christian debates about gender and sexuality dominate in the United States, other religions often have differing perspectives and conflicts about gender equity and inclusion.
- VideoPassing on the Kindness: A Conversation on Faith and Social Entrepreneurship
ArticleLara Aharonian: Advocating for Armenia’s Vulnerable WomenThis article was originally published by Religion News Service, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. YEREVAN, Armenia (RNS) — Home for Lara Aharonian is this capital city whose architecture …Topics: Christians and Christianity, Engaged Spirituality, Gender and Sexuality, Middle East and North Africa, Spiritual Exemplars
ArticleCaroline Bundy: Finding Grace for Homeless Youth and LGBTQ+ in AlabamaThis article was originally published by Alabama Political Reporter, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. Alabama’s governor recently signed a pair of bills—one criminalizing gender-affirming care for transgender youth and …Topics: Christians and Christianity, Economic Inequality, Engaged Spirituality, Gender and Sexuality, Spiritual Exemplars
ArticleTeresa Forcades: A Catholic Nun who Complicates the Abortion ConversationThis article was originally published by The Independent, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. It’s time to reimagine the debate around abortion. We are trapped in the tyranny of …Topics: Catholics and Catholicism, Engaged Spirituality, Gender and Sexuality, Healthcare, Nuns and Women Religious, Public Health, Spiritual Exemplars
ArticleRuth Messinger: The New York City Politician’s Long Second Act Honors ‘an Obligation to Respond’This article was originally published by Religion News Service, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. (RNS) — New Yorkers of a certain age remember Ruth Messinger as a city …Topics: Engaged Spirituality, Gender and Sexuality, Jews and Judaism, Political Attitudes and Values, Spiritual Exemplars
ArticleSister Teresa Forcades: A Catholic Nun Who Rejects the Pro-Choice/Pro-Life BinaryThis article was originally published by Religion Unplugged, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. Catholic nun and medical doctor Teresa Forcades says women should make their own abortion …Topics: Catholics and Catholicism, Europe, Gender and Sexuality, Healthcare, Nuns and Women Religious, Public Health
CRCC in the NewsNY Times: Najuma Smith-Pollard on Abortion Views in Black CommunitiesAmong Black Americans, support for reproductive rights is connected with their concern for broader civil rights, the New York Times reports. The article frames CRCC’s Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard as helping shape …Topics: CMCCE, Gender and Sexuality, Healthcare, Political Attitudes and Values, Public Health, Religious Leadership, Voting and Elections
CRCC in the NewsCRCC on Religion and Reproductive Rights After the Overturning of Roe v WadeDiscussions about reproductive rights continue to circulate in the religious community after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. CRCC’s Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard and Richard Flory have been interviewed …Topics: Gender and Sexuality, Healthcare, Political Attitudes and Values, Public Health
CommentaryAmerican Theocracy Is Bad for Everyone–Including White Christian NationalistsAs we marked the 246th anniversary of our country’s independence from a despotic regime that fused church and state power, the staff of the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture gathered …Topics: Christians and Christianity, Gender and Sexuality, Political Attitudes and Values, Voting and Elections- CommentaryRoundtable of Faith Leaders and Vice President Kamala Harris on Reproductive HealthVice President Kamala Harris recently hosted a roundtable with faith leaders on the state of reproductive health care in the United States. The event, held at the Los Angeles County Federation of …Topics: Black Church, CMCCE, Gender and Sexuality, Government and Religion, Political Attitudes and Values, Voting and Elections
ArticleKumu Hina and Walter Ritte: ‘A very Hawaiian place’This article was originally published by Indian Country Today, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. HONOLULU, Hawai’i — It’s a weekday evening rush-hour in Honolulu, and Hina Wong-Kalu is driving us …Topics: Community Organizing, Engaged Spirituality, Environment, Gender and Sexuality, National and Cultural Identity, Political Attitudes and Values, Race and Culture, Spiritual Exemplars
AudioSister Dianna Ortiz: A Tribute to a Survivor of Torture Who Became a Voice for VictimsThis radio documentary was originally published by KALW’s The Spiritual Edge, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. To hear this and other profiles, subscribe to The Spiritual Edge podcast …Topics: Catholics and Catholicism, Engaged Spirituality, Gender and Sexuality, Latin America, Nuns and Women Religious, Spiritual Exemplars, Violence
CRCC Experts
To schedule an interview with one of our experts, please contact CRCC:
crcc@usc.edu or 213-743-1611
Hebah FarragAssistant Director of ResearchHebah Farrag manages the center’s research and evaluation projects while engaging in research focused on religion, social change and new spiritualties.
Richard FloryExecutive DirectorRichard Flory is a sociologist whose work focuses on religion and urban life, religious and cultural change, and youth and young adults.
Brie LoskotaContributing FellowBrie Loskota researches how religions change and make change in the world, and works to build the capacity of religious communities around the globe.
Joe PalaciosContributing FellowJoe Palacios, a sociologist and Catholic priest, studies religion, politics and social justice in Latin America and among immigrants in the United States.
Nick StreetSenior WriterNick Street is a journalist covering religious change and innovation, Buddhism, Pentecostalism and LGBT issues.
Megan SweasEditor and Director of CommunicationsMegan Sweas is a journalist specializing in social and economic justice issues and world religions.