2026 Affirming LGBTQ+ Student Lecture

The Rev. Alexander Swain ‘16 – an Episcopal priest serving as vicar of St. Andrews and curate for Intergenerational Ministries at St. Philip’s in the Hills in Tucson, Ariz. — will be the guest lecturer for Hope College’s annual Affirming LGBTQ+ Students Lecture event. He’ll present “In Christ, a New Creation: The Significance of Inclusive Orthodoxy in the Church Today” on Monday, Oct. 19, at 3:30 p.m., in the concert hall of the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts located at 221 Columbia Ave. The public is invited and admission is free. Doors will open at 3:15 p.m. and a Q&A panel discussion will follow the lecture.

The Rev. Swain’s lecture will explore the relationship between LGBTQ+ inclusion and historic Christian theology. Drawing on his personal experience and theological study, he’ll discuss what he describes as “inclusive orthodoxy” — an approach that seeks to affirm LGBTQ+ participation in the church while remaining rooted in historic Christian teaching. “As a gay man, I have come to treasure the inclusive orthodoxy movement primarily within the Episcopal Church, but also in other denominational pockets,” he said. “I hope to examine this through the lens of personal experience and theological reflection — ultimately resting in the grace and reconciliation found in Jesus for all people.”

About The Rev. Alexander Swain
While studying biology at Hope College, Swain became involved in conversations about sexuality and gender on campus. He and several other students and faculty members created GRACES (Growing Respect, Authentic Community and Education on Sexuality) — a group centered on conversation about sexuality and gender.

Shortly after graduating from Hope, he entered a master’s program at the University of Pittsburgh, graduating from the integrative systems biology program. Afterwards, he attended Virginia Theological Seminary, graduating in 2025 with a Master of Divinity. While there he also met his husband and married in the church. He is also a vowed religious in an Anglican Benedictine order, the Canon Orders of St. Benedict. Swain continues to be interested in the intersection of science, faith and discipleship and is motivated by the ways ancient spiritual practices support life in Christ in the 21st century.

About LGBTQ+ History Month
The LGBTQ+ History Month is celebrated throughout October. Hope’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion presents this Oct. 19 lecture in collaboration with Prism, the Phelps Scholars Program and the Office of Culture and Inclusive Excellence.

To inquire about accessibility or other accommodations needed to fully participate in the event, please email [email protected].