The 2025 Queer Intersectionality and Public Church Symposium
This year’s symposium is themed Queer Joy as Resistance and is a joint event with LSTC’s Homecoming celebration. The program will explore how embodiments of queer joy challenge death-dealing ideologies, sustain communities and resistance movements, and celebrate the queerness of the Imago Dei.
Registration
Registration Fees
| $200.00 | early registration (ends 3/17/25) |
| $250.00 | regular registration |
| $100.00 | virtual/daily registration |
| $ 0.00 | LSTC students, faculty and staff; register by April 11, 2025 |
Group Rates are available for congregations/organizations with 3 or more attendees using the group registration form below; first registration at full rate, each additional reduced by $50.00. To register your group, contact Jessica Houston at jhouston@lstc.edu or 773.256.0697.
Lodging
Rooms have been reserved under the group name Homecoming/Queer Symposium at the Hyatt Place Chicago South/University Medical Center for the dates of Sunday, April 27th – Thursday, May 1st with a rate of $184 per night plus taxes. To make reservations, go to: Homecoming/Queer Symposium Block Booking Link or call 888.591.1234. Reservations must be made by Thursday, March 27, 2025. To book dates outside of the block, book your reservation first, then contact Ms. Teja Syers, Sales Manager (teja.syers@hyatt.com) with your confirmation number.
Speakers
Speakers will be announced in early March
Schedule
Monday, April 28, 2025
| 8:30am | Alumni Board Meeting |
| 10:00am | Registration (all day – 1st floor lobby) Coffee/Hospitality (LSTC Lobby) |
| 11:30am | Worship & Opening Session |
| 1:00pm | Lunch: Affinity Groups |
| 2:00pm | Student Creative Expressions Workshop |
| 3:00pm | Reunion Gatherings |
| 5:00pm | Dinner |
| 6:00pm | Plenary: Queer Joy as Resistance in the Age of Trump |
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
| 8:30am | Coffee and Morning Prayer |
| 9:00am | Developing Awareness Workshop: Queering Our Congregations Developing Resistance Workshop: Queer Liturgy as Joy & Resistance |
| 10:30am | Break |
| 10:45am | Developing Awareness Workshop: Interrogating Allyship Developing Resistance Workshop: Queer Intersectional Activism |
| 12:15pm | Break |
| 1:00pm | Lunch Panel: Queer and Lutheran: Alumni Stories of Resistance |
| 4:00pm | Distinguished Alumni Awards and Anniversary Celebration Student Session |
| 6:00pm | Awards Reception |
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
| 8:30am | Coffee and Morning Prayer |
| 9:30am | Panel: Trans Joy and the Role of the Church |
| 11:30am | Worship & Closing Celebration |
| 12:45pm | Light Reception |