The Story of Bob | The Life and Times of Rev. Robert W. Wood (Law)

Coming in February 2026

"[Bob's] story is one of persistence in an authoritarian hostile period of intolerance."

—Robert Shore-Goss (Queering Christ)

"Rev. Robert W. Wood was a pioneer advocate for gay and lesbian rights within church and society. This biography is a must-read."

—Bernard Schlager (Center for LGBTQ & Gender Studies, PSR)

LGBTQ Rights Trailblazer

The biography of Robert Wood is the intriguing story of a man before his time: a WWII veteran, ordained minister, and gay man advocating in the church for the gay community to live fully.

In the modern era, people commonly strive to be “more fully themselves,” a quest navigated across the terrains of social influences, relationships, and self-image. In the not-so-long-ago times, these same terrains were strewn with legal landmines that restricted who could be fully themselves, and how, and where. Robert Wood advocated in the church for the gay community to the right to live fully, even as he strove to do the same in his own life.

"May the truth of Bob's life inspire new voices of resistance in these dangerous times."

—Bill Johnson (founder, UCC Open & Affirming Coalition)

Preorder today, ships in the new year.

About the Author

Steven C. Law is president of the Law Stroud Foundation. He believes that "love and knowledge best encourage us toward maximizing our potential on earth."

2026
Paperback, 260 pages
United Church Press
ISBN 978-0-8298-2920-4