Philadelphia---Jamie Bigham Stroud of Philadelphia was awarded the degree of doctor of philosophy on October 9, 2002, by the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality in San Francisco.
Dr. Stroud's dissertation explored the question of why many gay, lesbian and bisexual United Methodists remain loyal to and active in their churches despite the denomination's increasingly restrictive policies toward sexual minorities.
This research is the largest research project to date that addresses gay, lesbian, and bisexual United Methodists and their relationship with/to and their feelings about the United Methodist Church.
Her research revealed that the participating gay, lesbian and bisexual United Methodists remain loyal to the church despite feelings of disappointment, hurt, anger, and frustration over denominational policy that declares the practice of homosexuality to be "inconsistent with Christian teaching," forbids ordination of gay person and prohibits union ceremonies for same-sex couples conducted in United Methodist Churches or performed by United Methodist ministers. The more than 350 research participants shared their feelings and reasons for remaining in the church by answering Stroud’s research questionnaire.
Although Dr. Stroud's dissertation has been completed, she is still accepting questionnaires from gay, lesbian, and bisexual United Methodists. At present, she has over 50 questionnaires that arrived too late to be included in her dissertation; these questionnaires, along with any others that may be submitted, will be integrated into Stroud's research findings for publication in book form at a later date. If you have not participated in this research and would like to complete a questionnaire now, please follow the link below.
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