EXPLORATION OF COMING OUT, LEVEL OF CHURCH ACTIVITY, SELF-SATISFACTION, AND ORTHODOXY IN LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND QUEER CHRISTIANS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to better understand the intersections between lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, and queer (LGBTQ) sexual orientation and Christian-based religious affiliations. One hundred and twenty-seven participants who identified LGBTQ completed an online survey to assess level of coming out, church activity, religious orthodoxy, and self-satisfaction. Survey results indicated that LGBTQ individuals who were active in a church community disclosed their sexual orientation to significantly fewer people compared to LGBTQ individuals who were inactive or had left a church community. There was not a significant difference in levels of self-satisfaction when comparing religiously active and inactive LGBTQ individuals. Participants also indicated a significant decrease in religious commitment to Christian doctrine after they acknowledged their own LGBTQ sexual orientation. Together, these findings highlight many of the challenges that LGBTQ individuals experience when integrating their sexual orientation and religious identity.