Author: Lydia Turner-Little
Major: Sociology
Approved: Spring 2021
Status: In progress
LGBTQ+ community members have historically been placed at odds with established religious institutions. While some community members choose to leave behind the religious tradition they were raised in due to feelings of alienation, others remain affiliated with their faith tradition or adjust their definition of faith. Instead of focusing on the viewpoint of established religions, this study highlights the views of LGBTQ+ people on religion and religious institutions. This research aims to identify the factors, through the use of focus groups and semi-structured interviews, that influence LGBTQ+ people to either leave, adjust, or carry on in their faith tradition. The findings will be used to make recommendations for how religious communities can be more inclusive of LGBTQ+ community members.
