The Experience of LGBTQ+ Identity as Spiritual Identity

Abstract

Owing to widespread condemnation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+) people among many mainstream religious and spiritual traditions, evidence suggests that many LGBTQ+ individuals face considerable conflict related to spiritual and religious identity. Some LGBTQ+ individuals manage to reconcile their LGBTQ+ and spiritual identities, while others even view their LGBTQ+ identity as a spiritual one. This qualitative research study focused on the experience of LGBTQ+ identity as spiritual identity. Ten participants were interviewed via email by the researcher, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The data were organized into three primary themes, each comprised of three to four subthemes. Findings indicated that LGBTQ+ identity as spiritual identity is experienced as a sense of connection and capacity for connection, a set of unique perspectives on various aspects of life, and a sense of having varied spiritual roles to play in the world. These findings and their limitations are discussed, along with suggestions for future research.