“I’m Being told on Sunday Mornings that There’s Nothing Wrong with Me”: Lesbian’s Experiences in an LGBTQ-Oriented Religious Leisure Space

Abstract

Research has suggested that some leisure spaces can be unwelcoming for those who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) while other leisure spaces can provide an important oasis for LGB individuals to escape homophobia and heterosexism. Leisure research, however, has yet to explore religious spaces as a context for leisure among LGB people. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of a group of lesbians who attended an LGBTQ-oriented church as a source of leisure and investigate the meanings they associated with this unique space. Data collection consisted of individual interviews with seven women who were members of the church. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically. The findings suggested that the church provided a space in which the women could find increased opportunities for leisure activities, build a strong community, experience emotional healing and spiritual expression, and address institutionalized and internalized homophobia.