True Blue or Gay: Attitudes toward Church, Family, and Social Change among Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual Mormons

• In Event: 194 - Regular Session. Sociology of Sexuality: Queer Identities

Abstract

Individuals who self-identify as both gay and Mormon face a "role conflict" because of their church's denouncement of homosexuality as sinful, with some gay Mormons responding by leaving the church. A first purpose of this study was to compare how gay, lesbian, and bisexual (LGB) individuals who are active-Mormon or ex-Mormon differ in attitudes toward themselves, their families, and their church. A secondary purpose was to identify which group (active- vs. ex-Mormons) appears most optimistic for a more gay-affirming Mormon Church. Study participants included a national convenience sample of 257 Mormon individuals who self-identified as LGB or “same-sex-attracted” and completed an online survey on demographics, attitudes about themselves (gay identity acceptance, religious fundamentalism, and self-esteem), attitudes about family support received, and attitudes about their church's response to homosexuality. A third purpose of this study was to introduce a measure of LGB Mormon attitudes: the Gay and Mormon Scale (GAMS), with 3 sub-scales: Support for Church Doctrine, Church is Changing, and Members Accept Gays. LGB active-Mormons reported weaker gay identity but stronger religious fundamentalism, family support, Support of Church Doctrine, and stronger belief in Church is Changing and Members Accept Gays than ex-Mormons. Active-Mormons, or “True Blue Mormons” who also identify as LGB, are more optimistic for a gay-welcoming Mormon Church and its members than ex-Mormons. Perhaps they are more hopeful because they believe the Church is more accepting today than in the past, or because of positive experiences with Mormon family members, measured through perceived family support.

Authors

• Lauren J. Joseph, Pennsylvania State University-Schuylkill

• Charles L. Law, Pennsylvania State University-Schuylkill

• Helen M. Hendy, Pennsylvania State University-Schuylkill