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Coyne SM, Christensen Duerden C, Sheppard JA, Ashby S, Van Alfen M, Harris H, Schilaty B, Hunt Q, Shawcroft J, Gale M, Graver H. "I'll Walk with You": LGBTQ+ Individuals and Religious Belonging. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2024; 71:2571-2593. [PMID: 37782078 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2023.2246617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Research on LGBTQ+ individuals, belonging, and religiosity has been mixed. Some studies have illustrated the ways religion can harm LGBTQ+ individuals while others suggest religion has positive impacts. In the current study, we sought to understand this complexity by examining the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals who have been or currently are affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (i.e. Mormon, LDS). A thematic analysis of 100 interviews with LGBTQ+ individuals currently or previously affiliated with the Church revealed various ways they feel belonging or the lack thereof in Latter-day Saint congregations and communities. These include sharing physical space, being invited to and included at events, receiving gifts or acts of service, seeing others' safety signals, hearing accepting and character-affirming language, and having others listen to them and give them voice. With the intent of fostering belonging, we discuss implications of this research for church communities and propose the belonging in practice: LGBTQ+ and religion model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Coyne
- School of Family Life, JFSB 2086C, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | | | - J Andan Sheppard
- School of Family Life, JFSB 2086C, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Sarah Ashby
- School of Family Life, JFSB 2086C, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Megan Van Alfen
- School of Family Life, JFSB 2086C, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Holly Harris
- School of Family Life, JFSB 2086C, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Ben Schilaty
- School of Family Life, JFSB 2086C, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Quintin Hunt
- School of Family Life, JFSB 2086C, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Jane Shawcroft
- School of Family Life, JFSB 2086C, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Megan Gale
- School of Family Life, JFSB 2086C, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Haley Graver
- School of Family Life, JFSB 2086C, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
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Perez-Figueroa AM, Lefevor GT, Lake K, Golightly R, Berg C. Tending to the Flock: The Experiences of LDS Clergy with LGBTQ Congregants. THE JOURNAL OF PASTORAL CARE & COUNSELING : JPCC 2024; 78:16-23. [PMID: 38317285 DOI: 10.1177/15423050241227984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Clergy from theologically conservative churches face challenges in providing counsel to LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning) congregants and use diverse strategies to address them. Thirty-three clergy from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints participated in a qualitative survey. Results revealed that implementing church policy while simultaneously addressing the needs of LGBTQ congregants and diverging views posed challenges for clergy. Focusing on listening, love, and spiritual counsel while avoiding messages of defectiveness were helpful for LGBTQ congregants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - G Tyler Lefevor
- Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Kyrstin Lake
- Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | | | - Connor Berg
- Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
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