An Exploration of Spirituality and Sexuality in Men Who Identify as Gay and Were Raised in a Conservative Christian Faith

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-3-2020

Abstract

© 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC and Andrews University. Growing up in a conservative faith can affect the lives of gay men. The influence of early religious training can have an impact on the emotional, sexual, and even physical lives of those who belong to sexual minorities. The messages people hear from religiously employed individuals (i.e. teachers and pastors) can cause deep wounds that last a lifetime. The collision of their sexual and spiritual identities impacts their lives, and can lead to difficulty. Some struggle with their religion, and many struggle to find a community that fully embraces both identities. Researchers sought to explore the process through which seven men navigated the process of identity formation and integration for their sexual and spiritual selves specifically through the lens of being raised Seventh-day Adventist and identifying as gay men. The in-depth interviews provided the data for the study, which is aimed to improve the outcome for the education of counselors who will inevitably work with members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Journal Title

Journal of Research on Christian Education

Volume

29

Issue

2

First Page

156

Last Page

175

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1080/10656219.2020.1767011

First Department

Graduate Psychology and Counseling

Link to Full Text

@ the James White Library

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