DignityUSA

Black and white photo of four people stand together at a public event, including two clergy members in clerical collars. One holds a large sign featuring a heart with intertwined male and female gender symbols. A crowd appears in the background.

June 25, 2026

Tom Oddo and the Origins of DignityUSA

Tyler Bieber Against the Current, Author's Post, Biography, Nonfiction, Tyler Bieber 1970s activism, American Catholicism, Brian McNaught, Catholic Activism, Catholic Church and LGBTQ, church history, civil rights movements, DignityUSA, faith and identity, Father Tom Oddo, gay rights, LGBTQ+ Catholic history, LGBTQ+ religion, Pax Nidorf, pre-AIDS LGBTQ organizing, progressive Catholicism, queer spirituality, Vatican II legacy

Discover how DignityUSA began in a San Diego parish and grew into the oldest LGBTQ+ Catholic rights group in the U.S.

Father Tom Oddo sitting on the campus lawn with students, 1983. Source: University of Portland Archive.

June 25, 2026

Defining the “New American Catholic”

Tyler Bieber Against the Current, Author's Post, Biography, Book Publishing, Nonfiction, Tyler Bieber 1960s Religion, Against the Current book, American Catholic identity, American Catholicism, biography writing, Book Research Notes, Catholic Church, Catholic community, Catholic education, Catholic history, Catholic priesthood, Catholicism, Church Reform, Congregation of Holy Cross, DignityUSA, Documentary History, faith and culture, faith in modern times, Father Tom Oddo, Historical Research, indie publishing, interview process, LGBTQ+ Catholic Voices, modern Catholicism, Portland history, progressive Catholicism, queer Catholic history, Religion & Culture, religion in America, religious biography, social justice, spirituality, theology, University of Portland, Vatican II

Explore how Vatican II reshaped American Catholicism, inspired social justice movements, and shaped Father Tom Oddo’s identity as a New American Catholic.

Vintage photo of Father Tom Oddo standing with another man, both smiling, with an orange text block marking the 50th anniversary of his 1974 San Diego visit.

June 18, 2026

50 Years Ago, Today | Gallery

Unencumbered Press Against the Current, Author's Post, Biography, Nonfiction, Tom Oddo Gallery, Tyler Bieber 1970s LGBTQ history, Against the Current audiobook, Dignity San Diego, DignityUSA, Father Tom Oddo, gay Catholic activism, gay priest history, LGBTQ Catholic history, Pat McArron photos, Pride history, queer Catholic archives, queer religious history, Rheinlander Haus La Jolla, San Diego LGBTQ history

Fifty years ago, Father Tom Oddo flew to San Diego to help lead one of the earliest LGBTQ+ Catholic workshops. These newly shared photos capture the warmth, courage, and community that shaped Dignity’s early years.

June 8, 2026

Father Tom Oddo and Pride | Gallery

Unencumbered Press Against the Current, Author's Post, Biography, Nonfiction, Tom Oddo Gallery, Tyler Bieber archival photos, Barney Frank, Catholic Activism, Dignity Boston, DignityUSA, Elaine Noble, Father Tom Oddo, gay Catholic history, gay rights movement, LGBTQ advocacy, LGBTQ history, LGBTQ rights, Portland history, Pride Month, queer archives, queer clergy, queer faith, University of Portland

For Pride Month, Tyler Bieber spotlights how Father Tom Oddo championed LGBTQ+ dignity and justice throughout his ministry.

May 27, 2026

On Birthdays & Crowdfunding the Against the Current Audiobook

Stephanie Johnson Lawson Against the Current, Biography, From the Publisher's Desk, Nonfiction, Personal Stories, Tyler Bieber Audiobook Kickstarter, Audiobook launch, biography, birthdays, Book Publishing, Catholic social justice, crowdfunding, DignityUSA, faith and identity, Father Tom Oddo, Legacy and remembrance, LGBTQ+ Catholic history, queer Catholic history, University of Portland, Vatican II

A reflection on why birthdays matter, what they stir up, and what’s ahead for the Against the Current audiobook.

March 28, 2026

Did you catch Tyler Bieber on OPB’s Think Out Loud?

Unencumbered Press Against the Current, Biography, Media Appearances, Nonfiction, Tyler Bieber author interview, book news, DignityUSA, Father Tom Oddo, Geoff Norcross, Independent Publishing, LGBTQ Catholic history, OPB, Oregon Public Broadcasting, Portland media, queer history, radio interviews, Think Out Loud, Unencumbered Press

Author Tyler Bieber joins Geoff Norcross on OPB’s Think Out Loud to discuss Against the Current and the legacy of Father Tom Oddo. Listen to the full interview and learn more about the story behind the book.