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About The Sexual and Gender Identity Institute
The Sexual and Gender Identity Institute (SGI) is comprised of professionals who conduct original research on sexual or gender identity and faith to help further our understanding of these complex experiences for individuals, to be a resource to families navigating these experiences; and to be a resource to Christian institutions (e.g., churches, colleges and universities, campgrounds, parachurch ministries, and so on) as they make decisions about these topics and how to best serve others.
The foundational research that shapes SGI today began in 1998 when Dr. Yarhouse began conducting research at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. That research lab formally became an institute (referred to as the Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity) in 2004. That institute was renamed when it transitioned to Wheaton College in 2019 (The Sexual & Gender Identity Institute or SGI).
Mark A. Yarhouse, Psy.D.
Mark A. Yarhouse, Psy.D., is the Dr. Arthur P. and Mrs. Jean May Rech Chair in Psychology at Wheaton College. Dr. Yarhouse has spent several years promoting dialogue between people who view the topic of sexual identity differently. In 2000, he chaired a groundbreaking symposium at the American Psychological Association’s annual convention that brought together gay psychologists and Christian psychologists to discuss common ground in treatment options for those who experience sexual and religious identity conflicts. He chaired similar dialogues at the APA on the many meanings of marriage (among different religions and among various groups within the gay community), services for adolescents experiencing sexual identity concerns, and an approach to services referred to as the sexual identity therapy.
Dr. Yarhouse is the past recipient of the Gary R. Collins Award for Excellence in Christian Counseling (American Association of Christian Counselors) and the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence at Regent University. He was a past participant with the Ethics and Public Policy Center think tank in Washington, DC, and he was named Senior Fellow with the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities to conduct a study of students navigating sexual identity concerns at Christian colleges and universities. He has been a consultant to the National Institute of Corrections to address issues facing sexual minorities in corrections, and he was part of a consensus panel from the American Psychological Association on sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts that convened to provide input to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in Washington, DC. Dr. Yarhouse is currently the Chair of the task force on LGBT issues for Division 36 (Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) of the American Psychological Association. He was also invited to write the featured white paper on sexual identity for the Christ on Campus Initiative edited by Don A. Carson for The Gospel Coalition.
Dr. Yarhouse has published over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters and is author or co-author of several books, including Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Cultureand Emerging Gender Identities: Understanding the Diverse Experiences of Today’s Youth. His most recent book is When Children Come Out: A Guide for Christian Parents.
SGI Fellows
Dr. Olya Zaporozhets
Dr. Olya Zaporozhets is an associate professor in the School of Psychology & Counseling at Regent University. An expert in methodology and statistics, Dr. Zaporozhets spearheads the analysis of qualitative data from 200 interviews of Christian patents whose children came out as LGBTQ, which led to several dissertations and national conference presentations. She has also completed analysis of data from 300 celibate gay Christian that is featured in the book, Costly Obedience(Zondervan).
Dr. Janet Dean
Dr. Janet Dean is associate professor of psychology at Asbury University. She has been a research co-investigator for over ten years working on both the Christian Sexual Identity Project, which is a study of Christian sexual minorities at Christian colleges featured in the book, Listening to Sexual Minorities (InterVarsity Press Academic), and the Christian Gender Identity Project, which is a study of students navigating gender identity and faith on Christian college campuses. She has spearheaded the quantitative analyses for both projects.
Dr. Stephen P. Stratton
Dr. Stephen P. Stratton is professor of counseling and pastoral care at Asbury Seminary. He has been a research co-investigator for a line of research for the past 10+ years on the experiences of sexual minorities at Christian colleges and universities referred to as the Christian Sexual Identity Project. That research was featured in the book, Listening to Sexual Minorities (InterVarsity Press Academic). Dr. Stratton is also co-investigator for the Christian Gender Identity Project, which is a study of students navigating gender identity and faith on Christian college campuses. He has spearheaded the qualitative analysis for both projects.
Dr. Julia Sadusky
Dr. Sadusky is an author, speaker, and licensed psychologist. She owns Lux Counseling and Consulting in Littleton, CO., where she offers individual, family, and couples therapy in addition to consultations for individuals and families around sexuality and gender. She also serves as a ministry educator, offering trainings and consultations to counseling centers and faith-based institutions on sexuality, gender identity, mental health, trauma-informed care, and the intersection of sexuality, gender, and theology. Other areas of focus include work with those experiencing complex trauma and eating disorders.
Dr. Sadusky’s most recent books are Start Talking to Your Kids About Sex: A Practical Guide for Catholics andTalking with Your Teen About Sex: A Practical Guide for Catholics (Ave Maria Press). Dr. Sadusky has coauthored two other books, including Emerging Gender Identities: Understanding the Diverse Experiences of Today's Youth (Brazos Press) and Gender Identity & Faith: Clinical Postures, Tools and Case Studies for Client-Centered Care (Intervarsity Press) with Mark Yarhouse, PsyD., and contributed to a four views book titled, Understanding Transgender Identities: 4 Views (Baker Academic).
SGI Affiliates
Jeffrey L. Reed
Jeffrey L. Reed is a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Applied Human Sciences at Eastern Kentucky University. He obtained a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Asbury Theological Seminary, a PhD in Family Sciences from the University of Kentucky, and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Kentucky. He has been involved with the qualitative research team for six years, working on both the Christian Sexual Identity Project and the Christian Gender Identity Project, and has contributed to the dissemination of this work through publications and presentations.
Christina Claudia
Christina Claudia is a marriage and family therapist and lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Pelita Harapan, Indonesia. She received a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Wheaton College, where she also first became involved with the clinical consultations and research in the Sexual and Gender Identity Institute. Since 2021, she has been contributed to the qualitative research work investigating the marital satisfaction of mixed orientation marriages and the sexual identity development and well-being of celibate gay Christians.
SGI Student Profiles
Anna Brose
Where are you in the program?
I am a 4th year PhD student in Clinical Psychology.
What are you currently working on in SGI?
My dissertation considers anxiety and depression outcomes for those who have autism and identify as transgender.
What do you love most about being part of SGI?
I didn't plan to be a part of SGI when I showed up at Wheaton but I am so glad I tried it out. Dr. Yarhouse excellently models how to love all people and hold difficult tensions well. Secondly, I have loved that SGI offers such a unique and wide variety of research, consultation, and writing experiences. Being a part of this group and research has significantly shaped who I am as a clinician, Christian, and friend for the better.
Mia Menassa
Where are you in the program?
I am a fourth-year student in the clinical psychology doctorate program (Psy.D.).
What are you currently working on in SGI?
My dissertation is a qualitative analysis exploring the experiences of Lebanese sexual minorities in disclosing their sexual orientation to their family members.
What do you love most about being part of SGI?
SGI has helped me foster my clinical, teaching, and research skills through being involved in comprehensive gender evaluations with Dr. Yarhouse, clinical consultations with SGI fellows around therapy cases, church trainings on sexual and gender identity, and qualitative analysis on multiple projects within the lab in addition to my own dissertation work. I am grateful for the safe space provided in SGI that allows students to explore culturally relevant and sensitive topics from both a psychological and Christian perspective.
David O’Connor
Where are you in the program?
I am currently a 3rd year PhD Student, and I will begin my last (4th year) in Fall 2025
What are you currently working on in SGI?
Apart from several side projects, I am primarily working on my Qualitative dissertation on Religious Trauma and Sexual and Gender Minorities who have renounced or redefined their religious system.
What do you love most about being part of SGI?
The mentorship with Dr. Yarhouse, collaboration with the diverse team of students and fellows, and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful research with SGMs who exist on the margins of society and religion.
Ian Sneller
Where are you in the program?
I am a third-year clinical psychology Ph.D. Student.
What are you currently working on in SGI?
I am working on my dissertation, which is on the masculine self-discrepancy and well-being. Further, I am finishing up some projects related to celibate gay Christians and assisting on the analysis team for the SGI+ project. Finally, I am assisting others with their dissertations related to mental health of sexual minorities in the Middle East and the impact of disclosure and support on the health of mixed-orientation marriages.
What do you love most about being part of SGI?
I love the community in the lab and the shared care for a population that often gets marginalized in so many spaces. It feels rare to find a group of people so committed to helping sexual and gender minorities, so it is encouraging to be around others with a shared vision. Also, I love that we can make jokes from time to time and be ourselves in lab.
Hannah Hawkins
Where are you in the program?
I’m a 2nd year Psy.D student.
What are you currently working on in SGI?
I am currently working on two CQR research teams. One is “Family Disclosure and Secrecy Experiences of Lebanese Sexual Minorities,” and the other is with the SGI+ project analyzing “How Sexual Identity Development and Religious/Spiritual Development are Influencing Each Other.” Additionally, I’m working on my literature review and poster presentation for “Social Care and Support of Side B Transgender Christians.”
What do you love most about being part of SGI?
I love the camaraderie in the lab, where everyone, an undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral student, conservative or liberal-feels heard and valued. Dr. Yarhouse creates an environment of openness and respect that brings people together, fostering meaningful conversations about sexual and gender minorities. I’ve also especially appreciated the guidance and encouragement from Dr. Yarhouse and the upper-year students during my time at SGI.
Eli Matthews
Where are you in the program?
I am a first-year PhD student.
What are you currently working on in SGI?
I am working with Anna on the database for gender dysphoria and autism. Additionally, I collaborate with other associates of the lab on papers that aim to understand mixed orientation marriages.
What do you love most about being part of SGI?
I enjoy that the SGI lab is a place where we can have conversations with people from diverse viewpoints as we work together to understand how to help individuals in the LGBT community.
Gabrielle Hildebrand
Where are you in the program?
I am a first-year clinical psychology doctoral student.
What are you currently working on in SGI?
I am working on consensual qualitative research for mixed-orientation marriages with Ruth Fu.
What do you love most about being part of SGI?
I have really enjoyed the collaborative aspects of the lab. Yarhouse emphasizes working alongside peers and holding conversations where all perspectives are valued and encouraged. I have enjoyed how Dr. Yarhouse brings real-world situations into the lab through inviting guests and discussing current topics of importance.
Ruth Hueber
Where are you in the program?
I am in the Marriage and Family Therapy program.
What are you currently working on in SGI?
I am working on resources for Hannah Hawkins's lit review and helping with the Tech for Gender Evaluations.
What do you love most about being part of SGI?
I love listening to staffing cases and learning how this work affects clinical practice.
Will Motzel
Where are you in the program?
I am a first-year MFT student.
What are you currently working on in SGI?
I have been assisting with coordinating and setting up for gender consultations.
What do you love most about being part of SGI?
I love learning how high-level research is done and how that can help us in our clinical practice in the space of Gender and Sexuality.
Sarah Taetzsch
Where are you in the program?
I am a first-year clinical mental health counseling student.
What are you currently working on in SGI?
I am working on Family Disclosure and Secrecy Experiences of Lebanese Sexual Minorities with Mia Menassa.
What do you love most about being part of SGI?
I love how Dr. Yarhouse has created a welcoming community that focuses on producing quality research. It is clear that everyone respects and values one another, not only as researchers, but also as unique individuals who reflect the image of God and who deeply care about honoring God through sexuality and gender. I am very grateful that my first research experience is with Dr. Yarhouse.
Kara Kessler
Where are you in the program?
I am an undergraduate student who is taking this lab for course credit.
What are you currently working on in SGI?
I am working on Disclosure Among Christian Mixed Orientation Couples with Ruth Fu and recording data from Gender Identity Consultations provided by Dr. Yarhouse.
What do you love most about being part of SGI?
I have appreciated how welcomed I have felt in joining the SGI lab this semester, and I really value this group and the team dynamics. It is clear that this group strives to seek the truth faithfully, and I'm glad I can be a part of it. I have also appreciated getting research experience; I have learned so much throughout this semester.