What do you think?
Rate this book
Against the Current: Father Tom Oddo and the New American Catholic
The most influential gay activist you’ve never heard of.
Father Thomas Oddo (1944–1989)—known simply as “Father Tom”—pioneered LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Catholic Church. In the wake of Stonewall and the Second Vatican Council, he paved the way for those seeking a space where faith and identity could coexist. He co-founded DignityUSA at just 29 years old, positioning himself as a key figure in the fight for civil rights. By 38, he became President of the University of Portland, a rising academic star poised to transform higher education.
A tragic car accident cut his life short at 45, but his story and his legacy continue to impact the course of the Church today.
In Against the Current, Tyler Bieber presents a compelling biography based on intimate interviews, personal archives, and never-before-seen documents. The book explores encounters with celebrities, politicians, and Pope John Paul II while diving into themes of hope, resilience, and loss. It reveals a forgotten chapter of American history, a story of courage within the confines of tradition, and a meditation on redemption, identity, and the future of Catholicism.
For readers of LGBTQ+ history, modern Catholicism, and untold stories of activism, this legacy is waiting to be uncovered.
Father Thomas Oddo (1944–1989)—known simply as “Father Tom”—pioneered LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Catholic Church. In the wake of Stonewall and the Second Vatican Council, he paved the way for those seeking a space where faith and identity could coexist. He co-founded DignityUSA at just 29 years old, positioning himself as a key figure in the fight for civil rights. By 38, he became President of the University of Portland, a rising academic star poised to transform higher education.
A tragic car accident cut his life short at 45, but his story and his legacy continue to impact the course of the Church today.
In Against the Current, Tyler Bieber presents a compelling biography based on intimate interviews, personal archives, and never-before-seen documents. The book explores encounters with celebrities, politicians, and Pope John Paul II while diving into themes of hope, resilience, and loss. It reveals a forgotten chapter of American history, a story of courage within the confines of tradition, and a meditation on redemption, identity, and the future of Catholicism.
For readers of LGBTQ+ history, modern Catholicism, and untold stories of activism, this legacy is waiting to be uncovered.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2025
5 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 30, 2025
This book couldn’t be coming out at a better time. I’ve found myself feeling morose over the state of our world and the lack of empathy towards our fellow humans. Bieber brings us a beautiful biography, and bursting from the page is the empathy of Father Tom Oddo. As a “cradle catholic,” it was great to read a story of an unconventional priest from our own community, and all he did to include and love those around him, when the larger establishment of the church had previously been so exclusive. We can all learn something from Father Oddo in these dark times, to love our neighbors unconditionally and truly practice what we preach.
Read
February 19, 2026Against the Current: Father Tom Oddo and the New American Catholic by Tyler Bieber
Reading history:
Normally I keep this in my private notes section, but I'm moving it. Yay!
Reading history was not added on Goodreads, but was instead kept on a piece of paper kept with the physical book.
Started December 29th, 2025.
Finished February 18th, 2026.
December 29th, 2025: read introduction + chapters 1-5 (pp. 1-55) in physical copy.
December 30th, 2025: read chapters 6-14 (pp. 56-122) in physical copy.
December 31st, 2025: read chapters 15-30 (pp. 123-244) in physical copy.
February 18th, 2026: read chapters 31-33 (pp. 245-261) + afterword, and also skimmed epilogues & acknowledgments in physical copy.
Reading history:
Normally I keep this in my private notes section, but I'm moving it. Yay!
Reading history was not added on Goodreads, but was instead kept on a piece of paper kept with the physical book.
Started December 29th, 2025.
Finished February 18th, 2026.
December 29th, 2025: read introduction + chapters 1-5 (pp. 1-55) in physical copy.
December 30th, 2025: read chapters 6-14 (pp. 56-122) in physical copy.
December 31st, 2025: read chapters 15-30 (pp. 123-244) in physical copy.
February 18th, 2026: read chapters 31-33 (pp. 245-261) + afterword, and also skimmed epilogues & acknowledgments in physical copy.
January 24, 2026
An interesting account of a priest who struggled to provide the best to all people believing we are all children of God even if we love differently. Pushing for equality for homosexuals in the Catholic church, Father Tom embraced the notice that to love like Christ is open to all.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews