PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 24, 2002

Philadelphia---Jamie Bigham Stroud of Philadelphia was awarded the degree of doctor of philosophy this month 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.

Survey respondents, who are primarily gay, lesbian and bisexual United Methodists, represent a broad cross-section of the denomination. The survey group is fairly evenly distributed across the United States and included persons from three foreign countries. Twenty percent of respondents are ordained United Methodist clergy, many of whom say their sexual orientation is known to their colleagues and/or congregations.

A primary reason given by many for remaining loyal to the denomination is that they feel welcomed, accepted and at home in their local churches. Other frequently mentioned reasons included family connections to the church, the denomination's historic advocacy of social justice, Wesleyan theology and hope that, over time, the denomination will become more open and accepting.

One respondent said simply, "It’s my church, too." Other respondents echoed that response and elaborated on why they felt that way.

Dr. Stroud presented her findings to the board of directors of the Reconciling Ministries Network, an organization of United Methodist churches, groups, and individuals forking for full inclusion of all persons in the life of the United Methodist Church, at its October 18-20 meeting in Chicago.

Although much has been written about this population from a heterosexual perspective, Dr. Stroud found only four studies that addressed the United Methodist experience from a gay perspective. Only one of those studies contained more than 10 persons. That study, conducted in 1996 by Gary David Comstock, included 199 gay and lesbian United Methodists along with 289 members of the United Church of Christ.

Dr. Stroud holds a master's degree in pastoral counseling from LaSalle University in Philadelphia and an undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas. She is a clinical sexologist and a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Earlier this year she was part of the first group of Marriage and Family Therapists to be licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

She is a member of the board of directors of the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) and is national coordinator of the Parents Reconciling Network, an extension ministry of RMN that serves United Methodist parents of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons.

She practices couple and individual therapy at a community mental health clinic in Lansdale, PA and at a private office in Bala Cynwyd, PA. She and her husband of 38 years, Bill Stroud, have three daughters: Ellen Frances Stroud, an assistant professor of history at Oberlin College in Ohio, Irene Elizabeth Stroud, a United Methodist minister in Philadelphia, and Mary Maxwell Henson Stroud, a social worker in Middlebury, VT. Jamie Stroud is the second member of her family to be awarded a Ph.D. this year. Her oldest daughter, Ellen, received a Ph.D. in history from Columbia University in May.

For additional information, contact Dr. Stroud at 610-664-6280 or by email at jbstroud (at) GUMresearch (dot) net

See accompanying Fact Sheet.

CONTACT: JAMIE B. STROUD, 215-844-3084, jstroud (at) sprintmail (dot) org.