Ralph Carl Wushke

In 1974, Ralph Carl Wushke was part of the first graduating class of the University of Regina, carrying with him a mix of pride, inner turmoil, and untold stories. "I arrived closeted, and I left closeted," he recalls. His university years were a paradox—a time of exploration, growth, and profound secrecy.

Wushke started out as a drama major when he began taking classes at the U of R. But as time passed and his passions evolved, he says it started to become clearer that he would enter the seminary after his undergraduate degree. 

He started directing his studies toward that goal, taking German, Greek, psychology, and sociology classes. Wushke ended up graduating with a Bachelor of Arts with, what he says, was a rather unusual major.

The world has changed. And so has the University. — Ralph Wushke

“I graduated with a divisional major in the humanities, which is something I worked with the academic dean at Luther College to create,” he says.

One of the most pivotal moments in Wushke’s journey occurred during a Sociology 100 class taught by sociology professor John Anson Warner. On that day, the class hosted a guest speaker Gary McDonald. In 1973, the University of Saskatchewan Homophile Association (USHA) formed at the U of S Regina campus. In 1974, the group became the University of Regina Homophile Association. As one of the group’s main organizers, McDonald would help students come out, and, upon request, make classroom presentations to promote the group.

Sitting in the lecture theatre, Wushke found himself between two nuns, Roman Catholic women returning to university after Vatican II to become teachers. “I started blushing, panicking,” he remembers. “I thought, ‘Now they’re going to know. Because there’s a homosexual on stage, they’re going to know about me.’”

Despite his anxiety, Wushke was captivated. McDonald was articulate and charismatic, sharing his experiences with poise and clarity. “He normalized homosexuality,” Wushke says. At a time when such conversations were rare, McDonald’s openness felt groundbreaking. Toward the end of the talk, McDonald mentioned the U of R Homophile Association and provided the students with directions to its office.

The revelation was electrifying.

“I thought, ‘Wow. I didn’t know.’ I felt a strong pull to go,” Wushke says. For days, he wrestled with his fear and curiosity, finally summoning the courage to approach the office. But when he arrived, the door was locked, and no one answered. “I breathed this tremendous sigh of relief,” he admits. “I took it as a sign that I wasn’t meant to go in. So, I walked away and never went back.”

Life comes full circle

In hindsight, Wushke sees the moment as a missed opportunity, a what-if that lingered in his mind. Yet, decades later, life came full circle.

This past fall, as part of the University of Regina 50^th Anniversary celebrations, Wushke returned to the U of R to take part in the many events. That’s when he found himself standing in front of Dr. Michelle Folk’s Religious Studies 100 class as a guest speaker as part of the Alumni in the Classroom event.

He spoke candidly about his life as a gay man, his faith, and the intersections of his identity and calling.

“It was surreal,” he says, “to stand there as ‘exhibit A,’ sharing my story with young students, many of whom are navigating their own journeys.”

Wushke was ordained by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada (ELCC) in 1978 after completing seminary. During this time, he had begun coming out to his friends, family, and community. In 1988, he made a public declaration of his identity as an openly gay man and pastor in a Toronto Star interview where he advocated for the full inclusion of “homosexuals” in the church.

However, in 1989, Wushke was removed from the roster of pastors in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC)—the successor to the ELCC—due to his sexuality. In 2000, he was embraced by the United Church of Canada, where he served as a pastor in Toronto until his retirement in 2018.

A joyful conclusion

In 2020, nearly a decade after the ELCIC began accepting LGBTQ clergy, the church officially reinstated Wushke as a Lutheran pastor, bringing a joyful conclusion to a 30-year journey of exile. He retired for the second time, from his position as pastor of Toronto’s First Lutheran Church on December 31, 2024. 

Looking back, Wushke says the memories of his University years are bittersweet. “I’m very appreciative for my years at the U of R. There was a lot of fun, but also torment," he admits. Like many young LGBTQ+ people, he struggled with suicidal ideation and internal conflict. Yet, he is grateful for the support and community he found, even if he couldn’t fully embrace all parts of himself at the time.

Today, the University of Regina is a different place, offering resources and support for 2SLGBTQIA+ students. From all-gender washrooms to inclusive housing and the UR Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity, the campus is a more welcoming space for students exploring their identities.

While coming out remains a deeply personal and often challenging journey, Wushke takes comfort in knowing that the path is now better lit for those who follow. “The world has changed,” he says. “And so has the university.”

Visit the U of R 2SLGBTQIA+ Information Hub to discover a variety of ever-evolving supports for 2SLGBTQIA+ students and allies.