Biography

I work in the areas of feminist political theory, political psychology, religion and politics, and sexuality studies. My research focuses on identity groups and their ideologies and cultures. Before coming to OSU, I taught at George Washington University and the University of Florida in both political science and women's studies. With Jyl J. Josephson, I edit a book series in Queer Politics and Cultures at State University of New York Press.

My current research focuses on US government advocacy for sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) human rights and the Christian conservative movement's opposition to SOGI human rights.

Books

• The Problem of the Passions: Feminism, Psychoanalysis, and Social Theory (New York University Press, 1994)
• Fundamental Differences: Feminists Talk Back to Social Conservatives, edited with Jyl J. Josephson (Rowman & Littlefield, 2003)
• Healing Identities: Black Feminist Thought and the Politics of Groups (Cornell University Press, 2004)
• Sin, Sex, and Democracy: Antigay Politics and the Christian Right (SUNY Press, 2008)
• Tough Love: Sexuality, Compassion, and the Christian Right (SUNY Press, 2014)
• Right-Wing Populism and the Media (Routledge Press, 2014)
• Because We Are Human: Contesting US Support for Gender and Sexuality Human Rights Abroad (SUNY Press, 2018)
• How Trump and the Christian Right Saved LGBTI Human Rights: A Religious Freedom Mystery (SUNY Press, 2022)

Other Publications Include

• Cynthia Burack, “Let Death Seize Upon Them: Populism in Political Prayers of Imprecation,” Politics and Religion. 13 (2020): 492-516. 

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  Burack, Cynthia, Let Death Seize Upon Them: Populism in Political Prayers of Imprecation (opens in a new window)237.08 KB
• Cynthia Burack, "Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Human Rights Assistance in the Time of Trump." [pdf] Politics & Gender, 14 (2018): 561–580.
• Cynthia Burack, "Top Down, Bottom Up, or Meeting in the Middle? The US Government in International LGBTQ Human Rights Advocacy." [pdf] LGBTQ Politics: A Critical Reader (New York University Press, 2017): 477-92.
• Cynthia Burack, "The Politics of a Praying Nation: The Presidential Prayer Team and Christian Right Sexual Morality." [pdf] Religion and Popular Culture 26, 2 (2014): 215-229.
• Angelia Wilson and Cynthia Burack, "Where Liberty Reigns and God is Supreme: The Christian Right and the Tea Party Movement." [pdf] New Political Science 34, 2 (2012): 172-190.
• Cynthia Burack, "God, Gays and Good-Enough Enemies." [pdf] Psychoanalysis, Culture, and Society 14, 1 (2009): 41-48.
• Cynthia Burack, "Compassion Campaigns and Antigay Politics: What Would Arendt Do?" [pdf] Politics and Religion 2, 1 (2009): 31-53.
• Cynthia Burack, "Just Deserts: Ayn Rand and the Christian Right." [pdf] Journal of Religion and Popular Culture (2008).
• Cynthia Burack, "From Doom Town to Sin City: Chick Tracts and Anti-gay Political Rhetoric." [pdf] New Political Science 28, 2 (2006): 163-179.
• Cynthia Burack and Jyl Josephson, "Origin Stories: Same-Sex Sexuality and Christian Right Politics." [pdf] Culture and Religion 6, 3 (2005): 369-392.
• Cynthia Burack and Suzanne Franks, "Telling Stories About Engineering: Group Dynamics and Resistance to Diversity." [pdf] NWSA Journal 16, 1 (2004): 79-95.

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