Emerging Sexual Identities: Navigating the Landscape with Today's Youth - Paperback

by Mark Yarhouse (Author), Julia Sadusky (Author)

A thoughtful and orthodox approach to the sexual identity questions of today's youth

According to a recent Gallup Poll, 20.8% of Gen Z identify as LGBTQ+. As youth culture continues to evolve around sexual identity, Christian leaders, parents, and counselors need practical guidance for ministry and care. Emerging Sexual Identities offers a measured Christian response to the diverse sexual identities that are embraced by an increasing number of adolescents and explains how these identities function in the lives of today's youth.

Mark Yarhouse and Julia Sadusky bring significant clinical and ministry experience to this timely resource. This comprehensive guide provides

● clear explanations - help for understanding the new language and categories of sexual identities;
● research-based insights - grounded in clinical experience and current data on Gen Z sexual identity trends;
● practical tools - actionable strategies for pastors, youth workers, counselors, and parents;
● Orthodox Christian perspective - maintains biblical foundations while offering compassionate engagement;
● cultural context - explains how queer theory and cultural shifts have shaped today's identity landscape;
● relational approach - focuses on accompanying youth through their personal stories and questions; and
● real-world application - addresses actual controversies and challenges in ministry settings.

The book focuses on accompanying, engaging, and ministering to teens navigating diverse sexual identities in the 21st century.

Whether you're a pastor seeking to understand youth culture, a parent walking alongside your teenager, or a counselor working with LGBTQ+ youth, this book equips Christians with the wisdom and tools needed to minister effectively in today's complex sexual identity culture.

Back Jacket

Understanding Today's Sexual Identity Revolution

This book offers a measured Christian response to the diverse sexual identities that are embraced by more and more adolescents, and explains how these identities function in the lives of today's youth.

"In an era when so many conversations about sexuality feel hurried and anxious, this book is brilliantly patient. A valuable resource for ministers, care providers, and parents alike."
--Gregory Coles, author of Single, Gay, Christian and No Longer Strangers

"For youth ministers and parents asking, 'What do young people really mean when they talk about their sexual or gender identities?'--this book is a gracious guide."
--Laurie Krieg, author and director of parent programs at The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender

"Emerging Sexual Identities offers grace-filled, biblically grounded, practical wisdom, helping us deepen the relationships with those we love when they need us most."
--Mark Matlock, founder of WisdomWorks; author of Faith for the Curious

"A very timely and important book that will guide parents and parish/school staff to more informed, balanced, pastoral, and fruitful parenting and youth ministry."
--Most Rev. Thomas R. Zinkula, Archbishop of Dubuque

"Christian ministers will find this a particularly helpful tool for understanding young people right where they are and for engaging their self-perception and journey of faith in creative ways."
--Anna Carter, cofounder and president, Eden Invitation

Author Biography

Mark Yarhouse (PsyD, Wheaton College) is the Dr. Arthur P. Rech and Mrs. Jean May Rech Professor of Psychology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, where he also directs the Sexual & Gender Identity Institute.

Julia Sadusky (PsyD, Regent University) is a clinical psychologist who owns a private practice in Littleton, Colorado. She is also a consultant, a speaker, and a fellow at the Sexual & Gender Identity Institute.

They are coauthors of Emerging Gender Identities.