Catholic university to offer seminar claiming that ‘fatphobia,’ ‘transphobia’ are rooted in religion

Sacred Heart University, founded in 1963, claims that it is the "fastest growing and most forward-looking Catholic university in the country."

A seminar from Sacred Heart University, titled "Racism’s Intersectional Impact on Agency & Liberation" and uncovered by Campus Reform, is part of Sacred Heart University's "Continuing Conversations in Antiracism."

Learning objectives for the seminar include discovering the "historically racist roots of several ongoing forms of oppression including–but not limited to–racism, sexism, homophobia/transphobia, fatphobia,... and more, through systems including education [and] religion."

The presentation will also "[e]xamine the ways [individuals] experience white supremist thinking internally" as well as "awaken [a] shared liberatory consciousness, including body liberation and agency."

One of the presenters in the seminar will be Wednesdae Reim Ifrach, who is a "Non-Binary Art Therapist & Body Liberation Activist." Ifrach runs the organization Rainbow Recovery and identifies as a "Fat, Trans/Non-Binary, Queer, Disabled, Jewish/Quaker." Ilfrach shared an interview she did with non-binary activist Jeffery Marsh, and claims to be an "eating disorders art therapist" on Instagram.

Those encouraged to attend the seminar are, "[s]tudents, social workers, educators, mental health practitioners, community-based social service providers, police officers," etc. It is also aimed at "people of diverse background."

Other presenters include Sasha Aaronson, Sharlene B. Kerelejza, and Carlton Smith. Aaronson is an assistant professor of social work at Sacred Heart. The tagline of her Twitter bio is, "Sunshine & Social Justice."

Sacred Heart University has also recently decided, despite the affirmative action ruling of the Supreme Court, to move forward in increasing diversity at the school.

Sacred Heart University President John Petillo, said, "I want to assure you that, despite this ruling, our goals — guided by our mission — will not change... We will continue to do our best to find a diversity of students across the country."