The Story of Bob: The Life and Times of Rev. Robert W. Wood

Steven C. Law

Register to Attend via Zoom

Join us for a virtual book launch of The Story of Bob, a new biography of Rev. Robert (Bob) W. Wood by Steven C. Law. Based on Law’s extensive interviews with Wood, the biography tells the story of a pathbreaking religious leader.

From “the greatest generation” comes the true story of a World War II veteran and ordained minister whose public advocacy for social justice was segmented from his private life as a gay man. The biography of Robert W. Wood is the captivating story of a man before his time, who strove to live and love authentically and advocated for the gay community in church and society.

Bob Wood was a trailblazer in the LGBTQ rights movement, Active in the Mattachine Society, he published his book Christ and the Homosexual in 1960 under his own name at great risk. Wood participated in protests against the federal government’s ban on gay employees. He pushed the United Church of Christ to embrace the cause of gay rights—a struggle that ultimately led to the formation of the UCC’s Open & Affirming Coalition.

Today, the pursuit of living “more fully and authentically” is a quest that crosses terrains of social influences and self-image, intersecting with political strains for liberation and well-being. As authoritarianism swells its censorship of LGBTQ stories and bodies, The Story of Bob remembers the work of resistance against similar terrains strewn with legal landmines that restricted who could be fully themselves, and how, and where.

This event is free and open to all, but registration is required via this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3617688448424/WN_n1dXcJrGQzKfEWN0l1h6GA

After registering, you will receive an email with information about attending the webinar.

Email any questions to programs@14beacon.org.

SPEAKER BIO

Steven C. Law is a writer whose work bridges faith and cultural engagement. His commitment to compassionate storytelling enriches The Story of Bob with insight and empathy. Steven Law holds degrees from Campbell University and Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, where his focus was Christian ethics and social policy. As an ordained pastor, he served rural and urban churches before studying creative writing with C. Michael Curtis. Chief among his accomplishments are 45 bliss-filled years with Dr. William “Donald” Stroud, with whom he created Découvert Fine Art, an art gallery specializing in European Master drawings. He is the founder and president of the Law Stroud Foundation.