Against the Current: Father Tom Oddo and the New American Catholic

Father Thomas Oddo (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 Against the Current, 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.

For readers of LGBTQ+ history, modern Catholicism, and untold stories of activism, this legacy is waiting to be uncovered.