{"product_id":"against-the-current-father-tom-oddo-and-the-new-american-catholic","title":"Against the Current: Father Tom Oddo and the New American Catholic","description":"\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe most influential gay activist you've never heard of.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFather Thomas Oddo\u003c\/strong\u003e (1944-1989)--known simply as \"Father Tom\"--pioneered LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Catholic Church. In the wake of Stonewall and the Second Vatican Council, he paved the way for those seeking a space where faith and identity could coexist. At just 29 years old, he was an early national leader of DignityUSA, positioning himself as a key figure in the fight for civil rights. By 38, he became President of the University of Portland, a rising academic star poised to transform higher education. A tragic car accident cut his life short at 45, but his story and his legacy continue to impact the course of the Church today.In \u003cem\u003eAgainst the Current\u003c\/em\u003e, Tyler Bieber presents a compelling biography based on intimate interviews, personal archives, and never-before-seen documents. The book explores encounters with celebrities, politicians, and Pope John Paul II while diving into themes of hope, resilience, and loss. It reveals a forgotten chapter of American history, a story of courage within the confines of tradition, and a meditation on redemption, identity, and the future of Catholicism.\u003cstrong\u003eFor readers of LGBTQ+ history, modern Catholicism, and untold stories of activism, this legacy is waiting to be uncovered.\u003c\/strong\u003e--Tyler Bieber","brand":"Tyler Bieber","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":47289658605804,"sku":"9798986566450","price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/1791\/3068\/files\/9798986566450.jpg?v=1770601549","url":"https:\/\/intl.allstora.com\/products\/against-the-current-father-tom-oddo-and-the-new-american-catholic","provider":"Allstora","version":"1.0","type":"link"}