Local educator and speaker Kathy Vestal will speak Thursday, Feb. 18, 6-7:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Haven Lutheran Church, located at 207 W. Harrison St.

Vestal will share from her personal experience and studies in the interplay between religion and sexual orientation, a topic about which many churches and denominations are currently in discussion, as laws and surrounding culture are shifting.

She serves on the faculty at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and has a master’s of education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a master’s of divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is passionate about race, gender, religious and LGBT issues, and has spoken in numerous church and university settings in North Carolina and Virginia. When not teaching or speaking, Vestal enjoys nature walks, traveling, reading, photography and blogging.

“If you, or someone you know, is distraught at the revelation that a friend or loved one is gay, you don’t want to miss this event,” said Mike Clawson, president of the local PFLAG chapter. “Kathy is a dynamic and articulate speaker who can help us reconcile homosexuality with our spiritual beliefs.”

This event, sponsored by Salisbury-Rowan PFLAG, is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be available at 6 for a time of informal greetings and interaction. Then Vestal will speak 6:30-7, followed by a time for questions.