How have Black religions been a source of diverse understandings of Black sexuality? And how has Black sexuality been a source of power and influence in fashioning Black religions?

On October 14 at 3:30 p.m. ET, the Department of Religion and Culture at Virginia Tech will welcome three experts for a conversation, “Exploring Black Religion & Sexuality.”

Many people assume religion coincides with repressive understandings of sexuality. Yet in this virtual event, panelists will explore the complexities of the relationship between Black religion and sexuality while attending to the richness of Black sexuality, especially Black queer experience. The panelists are:


  • Biko Mandel Gray, assistant professor of religion at Syracuse University;
  • Zaynab Shahar, writer and doctoral candidate at the Chicago Theological Seminary; and
  • Candace Simpson, associate minister at Concord Baptist Church of Christ in Brooklyn, New York.

Amaryah Armstrong, an assistant professor in the Department of Religion and Culture, will host the event.

All are welcome and the event is free, but registration is required.