Reconciling Religion, Race, and Really Queer People – Public Forum

LOVEboldly, a nonprofit dedicated to creating spaces where LGBTQIA+ people can flourish in faith communities, will host an open forum event titled Reconciling Religion, Race, and Really Queer People from 5:30 to 9 pm on January 15th, 2026 in Clifton at 103 William Howard Taft Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45219-2180 (The Geier Room at Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church).

The forum will feature a diverse panel of leaders and thinkers addressing some of today’s most pressing issues: the intersections of religion, race, and LGBTQIA+ identities in America. Panelists will explore how faith communities can move beyond division and toward healing, inclusion, and justice.

“Across the U.S., Christian nationalism, racial inequities, and hostility toward LGBTQIA+ people are tearing communities apart,” said Rev. Dr. Ben Huelskamp, Executive Director of LOVEboldly. “This forum creates a space where those conversations can be honest, hopeful, and healing.”

Panelists

Siobhan Boyd-Nelson (she/her) is a Columbus-based attorney, nonprofit leader, and advocate with more than two decades of service to Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community. A graduate of Howard University and The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, she has held senior leadership roles at Kaleidoscope Youth Center, Stonewall Columbus, and Equality Ohio, including Interim Executive Director. Siobhan currently serves as board president of Black, OUT & Proud and board chair of LOVEBoldly.

Pastor Terry T. Hocker (he/they) is a black, trans, Cincinnati-based minister and community organizer with 16+ years of experience serving marginalized communities. Known for their inclusive, justice-centered faith, Terry leads outreach work focused on dignity, healing, and radical love in action.

Jenny Jackson (she/her) is a fully affirming, certified Spiritual Director and Associate Director of Roots & Branches in Cincinnati. She has over 15 years of experience counseling families and couples as an occupational therapist, spiritual guide and Enneagram consultant. Jenny is the mother of 5 bi-racial children, one of which identifies as queer.

Tyler Chernesky (he/him) is a storyteller, writer and community organizer who serves as Program Director at Cincinnati-based nonprofit, Community Happens Here. He holds a Master of Divinity degree, served as a pastor at two churches and spent years as a gay man working at the intersection of spirituality and sexuality.