{"product_id":"9798986566450","title":"Against the Current: Father Tom Oddo and the New American Catholic","description":"\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe most influential gay activist you’ve never heard of.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFather Thomas Oddo\u003c\/strong\u003e (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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eAgainst the Current\u003c\/em\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor readers of LGBTQ+ history, modern Catholicism, and untold stories of activism, this legacy is waiting to be uncovered.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unencumbered Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42929934860349,"sku":"9798986566450","price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0603\/0838\/9949\/files\/9798986566450_p0.jpg?v=1771590413","url":"https:\/\/www.tatteredcover.com\/products\/9798986566450","provider":"Tattered Cover","version":"1.0","type":"link"}