Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez — Conversion Therapy Dropout: A Queer Story of Faith and Belonging - with Andrew Marin — at Conn Ave
Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez brings his memoir *Conversion Therapy Dropout: A Queer Story of Faith and Belonging* to Politics and Prose on Friday evening, August 21, 2026, joined in conversation by Andrew Marin. The event presents a personal account of navigating the world of evangelical megachurches while quietly enduring eight years of conversion therapy, and the slow, deliberate process of rebuilding a life and faith outside those structures. The evening traces Rodriguez's journey from being an invisible architect of Christian digital outreach to becoming a co-founder of Church Clarity, an organization devoted to helping queer people find affirming faith communities.
The discussion promises to explore the inner workings of megachurch culture, the harm of non-affirming theological spaces, and the lasting effects of conversion therapy on gay Christians. Rodriguez's story is less a simple coming-out narrative than a look at what happens afterward — the work of reconstructing identity, stepping into visibility, and reimagining faith beyond the constraints of the only world he once knew. Andrew Marin, president and founder of The Marin Foundation, brings his own unique perspective as a longtime bridge-builder between LGBTQ communities and conservative religious groups; his Capitol Hill address on bridging from within the evangelical church is archived at the Smithsonian, and he is the author of three award-winning books and a DVD curriculum. Together, the two speakers frame a conversation about institutional hypocrisy, healing, and the radical possibility of letting go.
This event is free and open to the public, with first-come, first-served seating. The book itself is available for purchase at the store for $27.99 in hardcover, with a publication date of May 5, 2026, and early praise from *Publishers Weekly* and *Kirkus Reviews*.
Date: Friday, August 21, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Venue: Politics and Prose at 5015 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Tickets: Free, no reservation required; seating is first come, first served
Lineup: Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez (author) and Andrew Marin (interviewer/conversation partner)
Book: *Conversion Therapy Dropout: A Queer Story of Faith and Belonging* — hardcover, $27.99, ISBN 9798889835431, published May 5, 2026
Run time: Not specified; standard evening author event format
Ages: Not specified; content focuses on queer faith, religious trauma, and recovery
Accessibility: Accommodation requests can be emailed to events@politics-prose.com; the store will make every effort to honor requests received up to the event date, though an advance notice of one week is appreciated
Note: Rodriguez has appeared in NBC, VICE, HuffPost, Religion News Service, and Newsweek; his co-founded organization Church Clarity helps queer people locate affirming faith communities.