Hollywood, Transgender Lives, and the Theological Response: A Panel on Disclosure (2020)

Arts Pride Trans Transgender Rights Voice

maxresdefaultIn Summer 2020,  Theology and the Arts at United held a panel discussion on the Netflix documentary Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen about the history of transgender representation in film and television. FOr Pride 2021, we have made the recording of the discussion available for viewing.

How do lived experiences inform the art we make? How do television and film shape our realities? What is the spiritual, theological, and cultural impact of media representation of transgender people? These are some of the questions we hope to answer in this discussion.

The panel features Nick Adams, Director of Transgender Media & Representation at GLAAD; Leigh Finke, Founder of Totally Gay Productions, producer, writer, documentary filmmaker, and journalist from St. Paul, MN; Rev. Debra J. Hopkins, Founder & Executive Director of There’s Still Hope in Charlotte, NC; Justin Sabia-Tanis, Assistant Professor and Director of Social Transformation at United; and host,Max Brumberg-Kraus, Twin Cities artist, Digital Content Specialist, and United alum.

This event was hosted by the Theology and the Arts Program at United. You can learn more about the Arts masters and doctoral concentration and our programming at the link below:

{{cta(‘c07bb852-38e3-4e92-bc65-e0da6b186ee7′,’justifycenter’)}}

Explore More Articles

Lauren Busey (’07) Ministers to a New Beloved Community at Pickledilly Skokie

  Lauren Busey (’07) grew up in the Lutheran church,  earned an undergraduate degree from Luther College, and thought she would probably attend a Lutheran seminary. Then, at a Luther College women’s retreat, Rev. Dr. Christie Cozad Nueger (’80)— Professor Emerita of Pastoral Counseling and Pastoral Theology (1992–2005)—was the featured speaker and knew Lauren’s campus pastor. “So,” Lauren remembers, “we just kind of got to talking, and within a couple of weeks, I was enrolled at United.”  United “was a good fit,” Lauren asserts. She found a welcoming community of fellow students and treasured professors. Those who had the greatest impact include Rev. Dr. Jann Cather Weaver (Associate Professor Emerita of Worship, and Theology and the Arts, 2001–2012), Dr. Marilyn Salmon† (Professor Emerita of New Testament Theology, 1989–2014), and Dr. Carolyn Pressler (Professor Emerita of Biblical Interpretation, 1990–2020).  (more…)

Images of Hope: Advent in Art

Art has the tremendous power to restore us in a time when our world seems to make no sense and we need a moment of respite and encouragement from our daily struggles. A single photograph of a flower or a laughing child can buoy our spirit to carry on. (more…)

Alex Sánchez Rodriguez Finds Vocational Inspiration at United

  Alex Sánchez Rodriguez, who plans to graduate from United in 2026 with an MA in Religion and Theology, was initially drawn to the seminary’s Interreligious Chaplaincy program. Since taking more classes, engaging with his professors, becoming involved in the Student Leadership Collective, and taking on other extracurricular activities, he has settled on a new calling. “I discovered,” Alex shares, “that I have a natural affinity toward academics.” In fact, he admits, “I want to be like my professors.” Before coming to United, Alex was a substitute teacher in Puerto Rico. Since he moved to Minnesota, he has been working in student development and promoting student success. The priority of student success is the throughline, Alex perceives, from his current role and an academic career. “If I am to go into academia,” he explains, “part of my success as a teacher, professor, and researcher depends on the success of my future students.”  (more…)