New Biography The Story of Bob Celebrates a Trailblazer in Faith and LGBTQ+ Advocacy
An inspiring true life story of courage, identity, and social justice from “the greatest generation”
The Story of Bob is a compelling new biography by acclaimed author Steven C. Law, available in paperback and e-book formats on February 16, 2026. It chronicles the extraordinary life of Reverend Robert W. Wood, a World War II veteran, ordained minister, and pioneering advocate for LGBTQ+ rights within both the church and society. At a time when silence was expected and conformity demanded, Bob’s life exemplified faith, bravery, and the tireless pursuit of justice.
Drawing from intimate interviews and extensive research, Law brings to life Bob’s journey from his childhood and adolescent experiences, to his service in WWII and his influential work within the Mattachine Society, to the publication of his groundbreaking book Christ and the Homosexual in 1960 — a bold step that placed him at great personal and professional risk. Bob’s activism helped lay the foundation for greater acceptance and inclusion within the United Church of Christ and beyond.
“Bob was a man before his time,” Law writes, offering readers not only a vivid portrait of a historical figure but also a deeply human story of resilience, love, and integrity. Through lucid prose and heartfelt storytelling, the biography reveals how one individual’s courage can ripple outward to change hearts and institutions alike. Law grounds large social movements in one deeply human story—friendships, fears, losses, and moral choices. Bob is not portrayed as a flawless hero, but as a real person whose bravery often came at great personal cost, making his choices feel authentic and relatable.
What reviewers are saying
“May the truth of Bob's life inspire new voices of resistance in these dangerous times.” —Rev. Bill Johnson, Founder, UCC Open and Affirming Coalition
“A must-read for anyone interested in LGBTQ+ history, UCC history, or a story about one person's commitment to bringing out progressive social change.” —Bernard Schlager, PhD, Associate Professor of Historical & Cultural Studies at Pacific School of Religion, and Executive Director of The Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies in Religion (CLGS)
“A must read book! Law has written with precision and a compassionate eye about the life of Bob, a homosexual living in a society where he cannot be himself. Yet his life is one of great courage in war, and the lonely search for love and true identity.” —Elizabeth Cox, author of Reading Van Gogh (An Amateur's Search for God) and A Question of Mercy
“I learned so much and was left with an admiration for Rev. Robert Wood.... I have never (perhaps never will) fully understood homosexuality but since my teenage years I have had many acquaintances, friends, and colleagues who were gay. I did not appreciate the hurts, pains, and fears that they lived with and through. I think I am a better person after reading The Story of Bob.” —Randy Hock, MD, PhD
Reverend Robert “Bob” Wood
Themes
The Story of Bob is a must-read for anyone interested in LGBTQ+ history, faith-based activism, and the courage it takes to live authentically in an often unwelcoming world. What makes The Story of Bob compelling lies in the intersection of history, faith, and personal courage, told through an intimate, human lens.
A Hidden History Brought to Light
The book uncovers a largely unknown but crucial figure in both LGBTQ+ history and American religious history. Bob’s life illuminates early advocacy work that predates the modern LGBTQ+ movement, helping readers understand how today’s progress was built on quiet, risky acts of resistance.
A Story of Quiet, Enduring Courage
Perhaps most compelling is that Bob’s impact did not come from fame or mass movements, but from persistence, integrity, and the willingness to live openly when doing so could cost everything. The book reminds readers that lasting change often begins with individuals who refuse to disappear.
Faith and Identity Held Together, Not Opposed
Rather than framing religion and LGBTQ+ identity as enemies, the work shows how Bob lived his faith through his advocacy. This makes the book especially powerful for readers wrestling with spirituality, belonging, or reconciliation between belief and self-identity.
How We Manifest Love in Our Daily Lives
From romance, sexual attraction, and intimacy to faithfulness and loyalty over time, Law explores the depths of love not only of others in our lives but of ourselves as reflected in Reverend Bob’s story.
Relevance to Contemporary Conversations
Although set in the mid-20th century, the book speaks directly to current debates about inclusion, courage in institutions, and the cost of speaking truth. Readers see clear parallels between Bob’s struggles and today’s cultural and ecclesial conflicts.
About the author
Steven C. Law is a writer whose work bridges faith and cultural engagement. His commitment to compassionate storytelling enriches The Story of Bob with insight and empathy. Steven Law holds degrees from Campbell University and Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, where his focus was Christian ethics and social policy. As an ordained pastor, he served rural and urban churches, before studying creative writing with C. Michael Curtis. Chief among his accomplishments are 45 bliss-filled years with Dr. William "Donald” Stroud, with whom he created Découvert Fine Art, an art gallery specializing in European Master drawings. He is the founder and president of the Law Stroud Foundation. He lives in Rockport, MA.
Events
Virtual book launch:Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 1-2 pm EST
Join the virtual book launch of The Story of Bob, a new biography of Rev. Robert (Bob) W. Wood by Steven C. Law. Based on Law's extensive interviews with Wood, the biography tells the story of a pathbreaking religious leader. Hosted by the Congregational Library & Archives.
Reading Into the New Year: The Story of Bob — A Trailblazer in Faith and LGBTQ+ Advocacy: Thursday, Feb 19, 2026 2026 3:30 pm EST
Today, the pursuit of living “more fully and authentically” is a quest that crosses terrains of social influences and self-image, intersecting with political strains for liberation and well-being. As authoritarianism swells its censorship of LGBTQ stories, The Story of Bob remembers the work of resistance against similar terrains strewn with legal landmines that restricted who could be fully themselves, and how, and where. During this webinar, we'll learn more about the limits of faith in helping Bob cope with personal loneliness, desire and the impact of fear on his capacity to love and explore/wonder why the Christian landscape is as unpredictable as any other social construct of life, including family. Watch the webinar recording, my first unscripted interview in which I wrongly used the word sordid when I meant to say assorted—Wabi-sabi.