I recently sat down with Dr. Lucas (Luke) Wilson, who has just been appointed as a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Historical Studies at University of Toronto Mississauga, under the supervision of Collaboratory Director, Dr. Elspeth Brown. Lucas’ research journey has taken him from Holocaust studies to queer history, where he now focuses on the intersection of white Christian nationalism and LGBTQ+ communities in the U.S. In our conversation, Lucas shares insights into his current work, reflecting on his own experiences within deeply conservative institutions and how those experiences have shaped his research. He also opens up about his personal journey toward embracing his sexuality, transforming it into a powerful and disruptive force within both his life and scholarship.
Alisha Stranges: Tell us about your academic journey—what brought you from Holocaust studies to focusing on the New Christian Right and LGBTQ+ history?
Lucas Wilson: I, regrettably, began my studies at Liberty University, the world’s largest evangelical university, located in Lynchburg, VA (there is so much to say about the town’s name, but I digress [for now]). It was at Liberty that I was first introduced to Jewish studies, largely from a philosemetic perspective. As I was completing my BA, I was applying to grad school with a proposal to work on a master’s thesis that examined Holocaust literature. In all my misguided evangelical hubris, I believed that my previous “academic training” (if we can be so generous with such a term) from Liberty had taught me all I needed to know about Jews, Judaism, and Jewish literature. But upon arriving at McMaster University for my MA, I was quickly corrected. I had not only a lot to learn; I also had a lot to unlearn after four years at Liberty.
In addition to what I had to unlearn in the context of Jewish studies, I also had to unlearn what I had been told about my sexuality, an unlearning process about which I’ve written previously. As a gay man, I had undergone four years of so-called conversion therapy at Liberty. But at McMaster—and later at Vanderbilt University and Florida Atlantic University—I began to come to terms with my sexuality. Throughout this process of self-discovery, I was working on projects related to the Holocaust; whether it was in regard to survivor memoirs, Nazi propaganda, or representations of children of survivors, I was fascinated by what led to, happened during, and resulted from the Holocaust.
However, given the rise in anti-queer hate crimes, public policy, and legislation over the last several years, along with my experience in conversion therapy, I decided to redirect my scholarly focus toward a central catalyst of anti-queer discrimination and oppression: the New Christian Right. With a focus on conversion therapy and conversion practices, my work uncovers queer histories within the New Christian Right.
AS: Your upcoming research promises to provide insight into the experiences of LGBTQ+ communities within environments shaped by white Christian nationalist ideologies. What inspired this new study?
LW: My experience as a queer man in the New Christian Right—a white Christian nationalist movement—has shaped my research. When I attended Liberty University, I sat under the teachings of numerous white Christian nationalists firsthand.
Lucas teaching at University of Calgary (2024).
As we were required to attend a thrice-weekly chapel service that invited numerous U.S. political figures and prominent leaders in the New Christian Right, I heard countless messages about so-called American exceptionalism—sermons and speeches that aimed to pump the U.S.’s tires, fan the flames of fanatical patriotism, and embolden students to defend their country from any and all threats, including the supposed threat of homosexuality. Although I never subscribed to white Christian nationalism—for I am in fact Canadian and never bought into the supremacy of the U.S.—I most certainly internalized the anti-queer teachings of the New Christian Right for many years.
With an eye toward the damage of these teachings specifically on LGBTQ+ communities, I am inspired by my past in, and exodus from, this movement. If I could find my way out of the New Christian Right, I believe others can, too. I do the work I do to inspire others to come out of the closet and out from the death-dealing strictures of high-control religious movements.
AS: You’ve shared that oral histories are poised to play a big role in your research for this new project. What drew you to using oral history as a method, and how do you think it shapes the stories you’re telling?
LW: As a social historian, I am drawn to stories and histories “from below.” As I examine homophobia and transphobia in the New Christian Right, I not only want to examine what religious institutions have taught about and done to queer individuals, but I also want to know the effects of such teachings and practices from the mouths of queers themselves. For individuals who had their voices stolen—or those whose voices were silenced for many years—I want to make space for them to articulate their experiences, to offer them a platform to have the proverbial final word and control their narratives.
“If I could find my way out of the New Christian Right, I believe others can, too.”
— Lucas Wilson
AS: It seems like your work explores some really deep emotional territory, especially with trauma and survival. How do you find balance between the academic side of your research and the personal connections you have with these stories?
LW: Yes, my work trades heavily in difficult histories of violence, hatred, and suffering. I typically bracket off my personal experiences from my academic writing, though I certainly include personal anecdotes from time to time when they are relevant. I don’t draw heavily on my personal experience, not because I don’t think it is important or because it takes away from my research; rather, I focus on others in order to elevate their voices while reserving my personal experiences for my creative writing.
Sometimes it is difficult to sit with the emotions that arise when I am working on topics that have deeply affected me, but that difficulty fuels me. I channel my feelings of frustration, anger, and pain and allow them to spur me on towards action as I do my best to fight against prejudice, discrimination, and oppression.
AS: Your Instagram feed is quite the thirst trap! It’s clear that your sexuality is a significant source of strength for you. Can you share a pivotal moment or experience that helped you transition from suppressing that part of yourself to confidently embracing it as a disruptive force in your life and work?
LW: I find it to be a sincerely sad reality that so many people are afraid of their sexuality, that they believe it to be something they need to hide. I want to say that I find that viewpoint bizarre, but I also know where such sex-negativity and body-shaming come from. Because of a number of factors—especially, no doubt, religion—I also used to be emphatically ashamed of myself as a sexual being and that I was once scared of both my body and my desires. One significant experience for me that allowed me to overcome this shame and fear was going to Hanlan’s Point, Toronto’s queer clothing-optional beach (by far my favourite spot in the city!).
Hanlan’s served as an avenue for me to discover myself and become more comfortable with my embodiment as a queer person. I take the confidence—and, no doubt, joy—that Hanlan’s helped instill in me and use it in my day-to-day life and work.
And yes, I suppose I have posted a thirst trap or two! For any who are on Instagram, I can be found at @lukeslamdunkwilson, and on X (the artist formerly known as Twitter), my handle is @wilson_fw.
AS: As you move forward with your postdoc and this new research, what are you most excited to uncover or learn more about?
LW: I am particularly excited to discover more stories about queer experiences at Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries across the globe. I am currently editing a collection of short stories written by those who survived such schools, and I can’t wait to see that project come to fruition.
As Lucas embarks on this next chapter of his research career, it’s clear that his work is deeply personal and impactful. Whether he’s amplifying underheard histories or using social media to challenge dominant narratives, his commitment to amplifying queer voices remains steadfast. Luke’s passion for disrupting heteronormative systems through both scholarship and self-expression offers a fresh perspective on how academic work and personal identity can intersect in transformative ways. We look forward to seeing how his research continues to evolve and inspire.
To dive deeper into his scholarship, check out Emerging Trends in Third-Generation Holocaust Literature (Lexington Books, 2024), co-edited by Lucas. Also, keep an eye out for his forthcoming books At Home with the Holocaust: Postmemory, Domestic Space, and Second-Generation Holocaust Literature (Rutgers UP, 2025) and Shame-Sex Attraction: Survivors’ Stories of Conversion Therapy (JKP Books, 2025).
Lucas Wilson is a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Toronto Mississauga. He is the editor of Shame-Sex Attraction (2025) and author of At Home with the Holocaust (2025), which received the Jordan Schnitzer First Book Publication Award.
Alisha Stranges (she/her) is a queer, community-based, public humanities scholar, theatre creator, and performer. She holds an MA in Women & Gender Studies and Sexual Diversity Studies from the University of Toronto. At present, she serves as the Collaboratory’s Research Manager.