The Hidden Force of Gender and Sexuality: A Pedagogy of Truth-Seeking

This paper analyzes forces of gender and sexuality that evoke intense controversies in religion, society, and politics, and influence acts of discrimination and hostility. These forces have potential for wholeness, but are often used to reinforce power hierarchies and justify violence, as in cases of anti-abortion aggression, racialized sexual violence, domestic abuse, and bans on gender minorities. Drawing on psychology and theology, the paper analyzes the nature of truth and post-truth, and poses a pedagogy of truth-seeking and five practices that can guide learning communities as they seek truths about gender and sexuality that liberate and support human wholeness.