LGBTQ+ and going to church? Feelings of acceptance and closeness in openly-affirming churches

Abstract

Although much research has examined negative experiences of LGBTQ+ Christians in religious contexts, few studies have highlighted LGBTQ+ people’s perceptions of and experiences in openly-affirming churches (OACs). Accordingly, this mixed-method study first examined whether LGBTQ+ people (N = 99) felt affirmed by, accepted by, and close to OACs. Participants indicated how affirming they perceived their church to be and completed newly constructed questions about feelings of acceptance in church, along with other measures. Findings suggest that participants indeed felt affirmed by their OAC and that these perceptions were significantly related to perceptions of acceptance and closeness. Furthermore, data from 88 narratives of acceptance in OACs suggested that perceived acceptance came more from emotional support and affirmation rather than instrumental support. This work suggests that OACs are experienced as affirming religious spaces and are important resources for LGBTQ+ people. This work has implications for church leaders, therapists, and LGBTQ+ people.