Mode of Program Participation
Academic Scholarship
Participation Type
Paper
Presentation #1 Title
Finding the Unicorn: LGBTQ Christians in Appalachia
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
“Finding the Unicorn: LGBTQ Christians in Appalachia” takes a look at a deceivingly simple question: can a person be LGBTQ, Christian, and Appalachian? In today’s current cultural climate this question is incredibly relevant. My research, which included personal narratives, papers/essays, and panel discussions, breaks the question into three parts. It first looks at whether a person can be Christian and Appalachian, then moves to LGBTQ and Christian, and lastly looks at being LGBTQ and Appalachian. The resolution is that a person can be LGBTQ, Christian, and Appalachian, but not without struggle. My research pulls information from well known LGBTQ Appalachian writers such as Silas House and Jeff Mann, a well known LGBTQ Christian Justin Lee, LGBTQ political activists Norge Espinoza Mendoza and Carlos Mejia, Delegate Stephen Skinner, and other LGBTQ Christians, LGBTQ Appalachians, and LGBTQ Christian Appalachians. Most of the research was conducted via the internet scrolling through news archives, a master’s thesis, books, and YouTube videos. I had the opportunity in July of this year to attend a panel discussion about human rights advocacy at Shepherd University which is what sparked my interest in doing deeper research. In my research I found tales of heartache and sorrow which I expected, but I also found stories of hope which surprised and encouraged me. The more I found the stronger desire I felt to share my findings with others so those who are LGBTQ, Christian, and Appalachian know that they are not alone.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Megan Twietmeyer is a high school 9th grade English and creative writing teacher in South Bend, IN. She grew interested and inspired to research LGBTQ Christians in Appalachia after attending "A Global Perspective in Advocacy and Human Rights" at Shepherd University in July 2016 while taking part in the NEH Summer Seminar for Teachers "Voices From the Misty Mountains: Appalachian Writers and Mountain Culture".
Finding the Unicorn: LGBTQ Christians in Appalachia
“Finding the Unicorn: LGBTQ Christians in Appalachia” takes a look at a deceivingly simple question: can a person be LGBTQ, Christian, and Appalachian? In today’s current cultural climate this question is incredibly relevant. My research, which included personal narratives, papers/essays, and panel discussions, breaks the question into three parts. It first looks at whether a person can be Christian and Appalachian, then moves to LGBTQ and Christian, and lastly looks at being LGBTQ and Appalachian. The resolution is that a person can be LGBTQ, Christian, and Appalachian, but not without struggle. My research pulls information from well known LGBTQ Appalachian writers such as Silas House and Jeff Mann, a well known LGBTQ Christian Justin Lee, LGBTQ political activists Norge Espinoza Mendoza and Carlos Mejia, Delegate Stephen Skinner, and other LGBTQ Christians, LGBTQ Appalachians, and LGBTQ Christian Appalachians. Most of the research was conducted via the internet scrolling through news archives, a master’s thesis, books, and YouTube videos. I had the opportunity in July of this year to attend a panel discussion about human rights advocacy at Shepherd University which is what sparked my interest in doing deeper research. In my research I found tales of heartache and sorrow which I expected, but I also found stories of hope which surprised and encouraged me. The more I found the stronger desire I felt to share my findings with others so those who are LGBTQ, Christian, and Appalachian know that they are not alone.
