Conversion Therapy Dropout: A Queer Story of Faith and Belonging

This is an in-person only event and registration is required. This event takes place at Neighborhood Church ATL, 1561 McLendon Ave NE, Atlanta GA 30307. Doors open at 6:30pm. Event begins promptly at 7:00pm.

Charis welcomes Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez in conversation with Garrard Conley for a celebration of , a gay Christian's behind-the-scenes account of evangelical megachurches and eight years in conversion therapy before finding wholeness and authenticity.

Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez was an invisible architect behind evangelical Christianity's digital empire, crafting messages of belonging for some of the most influential megachurches--Hillsong Church, Elevation Church, Willow Creek--all while secretly questioning his own place within the faith.

In a desperate attempt to "fix" himself, he turned to conversion therapy, spending eight years trying to pray the gay away. And he wasn't alone. More than 700,000 people in the US have undergone some form of conversion therapy. Even though Exodus International, the largest ex-gay organization, closed in 2013, the practice still thrives in many conservative religious communities. After years of this harmful "therapy," Schraeder Rodriguez's sexuality never changed. But his faith did.The more time he spent in evangelical Christianity, the more he witnessed the hypocrisy of institutions that claimed to love everyone while quietly pushing people like him into silence. But Schraeder Rodriguez wouldn't remain silent. Instead, he forged a new path, discovering a vibrant faith beyond the constraints of non-affirming theology and finding a community that embraced his whole self.

Conversion Therapy Dropout is a behind-the-scenes look at megachurch culture, the hidden harm of non-affirming Christian spaces, and the ongoing impact of conversion therapy on gay Christians. This isn't just a coming-out story--it's about what happens after. About rebuilding a life outside the only world you've ever known. And the radical act of stepping into the light after being told your whole life to stay in the shadows. Sometimes, the greatest act of faith isn't holding on--it's letting go.

About the author

Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez spent almost a decade trying to “pray the gay away” in conversion therapy––all while working at some of the world's most influential megachurches. After embracing his identity as a gay Christian and stepping away from church work, he co-founded Church Clarity, an organization that helps queer people find affirming faith communities. His story and work have been featured by NBC, VICE, Huff Post, Religion News Service, and Newsweek. Born in the Midwest, he now calls New York City home, where he continues his work as a digital strategist, writer, and advocate for queer people of faith. Follow him on Instagram (@timothy.s.rodriguez), TikTok (@timothy.s.rodriguez), and Substack (Learning to Use My Words).

About the conversation partner

Garrard Conley is the author of the New York Times Best Selling memoir and the novel , and a producer and creator of the podcast UnErased. Conley currently holds an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing position at Kennesaw State University.

About the Event

All attendees must register for the event by selecting a ticket. There will be a limited number of free tickets. You may choose: a free ticket without a book, a single ticket with a book, or a ticket for 2 people that includes one book. There will be a signing line after the event.

If you choose the book with ticket option, you will bring your ticket (digitally or on paper) with you to pick up your copy of the book at the event. All books not picked up at the event on 6/20 will be available for pickup at Charis Books and More (184 S. Candler St, Decatur) for 2 weeks.

Doors open at 6:30 pm. Event begins promptly at 7:00 pm.

Venue & Accessibility Details:
- Masks: Face masks are strongly encouraged but not required.

- Parking

- Free parking is available at the parking lot that can be accessed via Mell Ave. The lot is one way, so please enter from Mell, and exit onto McLendon. There is additional free street parking directly in front of the church.

- There are four accessible spaces - two are located on the street in front of the church. The other two can be accessed by following the parking lot as if you were exiting onto McLendon, and they will be on your left facing the playground.

- Additional accessibility details forthcoming.

- Please contact us at [email protected] 404-524-0304 if you have other seating or accessibility needs or would like to request ASL interpretation.

Event Code of Conduct: By attending our event you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), class, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to [email protected] immediately.

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