Download - presented at the University of California, Irvine To Social Ecology Honors Research Colleagues By
presented at the
University of California, IrvineTo
Social Ecology Honors Research Colleagues
ByJeanette Veatch Wayland
May 14, 2005
Religion and Non-Heterosexual Identity:
An evaluation of cognitive dissonance for religious
lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals.
Introduction
Homophobia and heterosexism are liturgical threads intricately woven into the doctrine of traditional world religions.
Non-heterosexual relationships for members are never condoned; in some religions, participants in lesbian,
gay or bisexual relationships are condemned.
Why should we care?
Impact of Religious Homophobia on Society
Heterosexism is the belief that
heterosexuality is the only
natural, normal and acceptable
sexual orientation.
This is rarely asserted directly and usually manifests itself subtly within the institutions of society and the attitudes of heterosexuals.
Examples: setting aside certain societal benefits for heterosexuals
(right to marry, right to worship, right to adopt children,
right to file joint tax returns with partner, etc.)
Impact of Religious Heterosexism on Society
But, what effect does heterosexist and homophobic religious liturgy have on
religious lesbian, gay and bisexual INDIVIDUALS?
We have seen the effects of religious heterosexism and homophobia on
SOCIETY.
We have never taken the time to ask...
There is virtually no
researchthat measures
this construct
for religious
lesbian, gay and bisexual
people.
Vicarious Learning (Bandura, 1977)
Cognitive Dissonance…
…is the psychological discomfort that results when one’s public behavior conflicts with his/her private beliefs. The longer this conflict is unresolved, the more likely we are to suffer emotionally.
Public
Behav
iorsPrivate
Beliefs
(Festinger, 1957)
but I am not heterosexual...how can I
be both?
I’m a Catholic.
H1
A majority of religious lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals will experience
cognitive dissonance attributable to their exposure to heterosexist religious liturgy
throughout their childhood.
H2
This religious-sexual orientation dissonance may be correlated with mental health issues for religious lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals.
Hypotheses
Buddhism
Christianity*
Hindu
Islam
Judaism
Methodology – Self Report Survey
•The survey consisted of forty-one quantitative questions including: Subject’s age Gender Ethnicity Childhood religion and level of religiosity Adult religion and level of religiosity Sexual-orientation Closeted status before and after sexual orientation awareness Level of education Current daily activities Mental health issues attributable to religion-sexual orientation dissonance•One full page qualitative section where participants could write a narrative of their experience with religion. •15-20 minutes to complete both the quantitative and qualitative sections. •The survey did not include questions regarding personal data (names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, or any identifying characteristics. Participation was completely anonymous and voluntary.• Surveys were distributed to LGB community centers, churches, and LGB internet list serves.
Gender of participant
Male
Female
60%40%
Participant's Self-reported Sexual Orientation
OtherBisexual
LesbianGay
60%
10%
26%
Participant's childhood religion
Other
Southern Baptist
Presbyterian
Non-Denominational Christianity
MethodistEpiscopal
Catholicism
Buddhism
Assembly of God
40%
17%
13%
13%
H1: Did the incompatibility between religion and sexual orientation cause you emotional discomfort?
No Emotional Discomfort
Some Emotional Discomfort Missing data
Extreme Emotional Discomfort
50%
20%
10%
20%
These findings lend support to H1
H2: Did you experience any mental health issues as a result of this religion-sexual orientation dissonance?
Yes
40%
60%
No
These findings lend support to H2
Of the 60% reporting mental health issues…
58 % - Anxiety
50 % - Depression
40 % - Isolation
36 % - Low Self-Esteem
32 % - Thoughts of Suicide
21 % - Problems with Authority Figures
19 % - Sexual Behavior that you Later Regretted
13 % - Eating Disorders
11 % - Substance Abuse
11 % - Suicide Attempts
* % add up to greater than 100% – this question was a
multiple response item
Where do we go from here?
Future Research:• Larger sample• Greater heterogeneity in religion, ethnicity, education, gender, and region• Update the Survey to improve its reliability and validity• Personal Interviews with subject population• Increased resources to collect and analyze data
Theological changes?
Hopefully…
If orthodox religion expects to remain relevant in society, it
must seek to serve all members of humanity – not just a select
few.
Eventually, even those who benefit from heterosexism may
tire of this hypocrisy.
Non-traditional Religious Denominations that are open and affirming to lesbian, gay and bisexual congregants:
Assembly of God* – Grace Assembly; www.umaffirm.org
Buddhist – dharma friends; www.web.net/~qdharma/home.htm
Christian* – Gay Christian Network; www.gaychristian.net
Catholic* – Dignity USA; www.dignityusa.org
Episcopal* – Integrity; www.integrityusa.org
Hindu – Gay Hindu; www.gayhindu.com
Islam – Queer Jihad; www.well.com/user/queerjhd
Judaism – Frum Gay Jews; www.OrthoGays.com
Lutheran* – Lutheran Lesbian & Gay Ministries (LLGM); www.llgm.org
Methodist* – Affirm; www.umaffirm.org
*Christian Denominations
• Dr. Christine Browning, UCI
• Dr. Valerie Jenness, UCI
• Pat Walsh, M.A., MSW , UCI
• Dr. David Dooley, UCI
Acknowledgements
Funding provided by:UROP – Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
Jeanette Veatch [email protected]