Download religion-sexual orientation dissonance

Religion and Non-Heterosexual Identity:
An evaluation of cognitive dissonance for religious
lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals.
presented at the
University of California, Irvine
To
Social Ecology
Honors Research Colleagues
By
Jeanette Veatch Wayland
May 14, 2005
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
Impact of Religious Heterosexism 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.)
We have seen the effects of religious
heterosexism and homophobia on
SOCIETY.
But, what effect does heterosexist and
homophobic religious liturgy have on
religious lesbian, gay and bisexual
INDIVIDUALS?
We have never taken
the time to ask...
There is
virtually no
research
that measures
this
construct
for
religious
lesbian, gay
and bisexual
people.
Vicarious Learning
(Bandura, 1977)
Cognitive Dissonance…
but I am not
heterosexual.
..how can I
be both?
I’m a
Catholic.
(Festinger, 1957)
…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.
Hypotheses
Buddhism
Christianity*
Hindu
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
Islam
Judaism
This religious-sexual orientation dissonance
may be correlated with mental health issues for
religious lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals.
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
Female
40%
60%
Male
Participant's Self-reported Sexual Orientation
Other
Bisexual
10%
Lesbian
26%
60%
Gay
Participant's childhood religion
Assembly of God
Buddhism
Other
17%
Southern Baptist
Presbyterian
40%
13%
Catholicism
Non-Denominational
Christianity
Methodist
13%
Episcopal
H1: Did the incompatibility between religion and sexual
orientation cause you emotional discomfort?
These findings lend support to H1
Extreme Emotional Discomfort
50%
Some Emotional
Discomfort
20%
20%
Missing data
10%
No Emotional Discomfort
H2: Did you experience any mental health issues as a result of this
religion-sexual orientation dissonance?
These findings lend support to H2
Yes
60%
No
40%
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
Acknowledgements
• Dr. Christine Browning, UCI
• Dr. Valerie Jenness, UCI
• Pat Walsh, M.A., MSW , UCI
• Dr. David Dooley, UCI
Funding provided by:
UROP – Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
Jeanette Veatch Wayland
[email protected]