I Cannot Be Both: Convergence and Divergence Between Religiosity and Sexuality

• In Event: 2248 - LGBTQ People in Conservative and Religious Settings

Abstract

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals consistently show worst life outcomes and lower levels of religious affiliation compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Previous work mostly focuses on these two relationships separately. Herein, we analyze the likelihood of becoming an apostate in tandem with well-being (e.g., depressive symptoms and satisfaction with life) along with the influence of parental conservative religious beliefs for LGB and heterosexual individuals. We used snowball sampling and an anonymous, online survey to collect data from 152 participants (47% LGB) on these topics. We performed descriptive analyses, OLS regression, logistical regression, and path analyses. Results show that LGB individuals have significantly more depressive symptoms and have a higher odds of becoming an apostate in adulthood compared to heterosexuals. Also, we found that, only for LGB participants, spending their adolescents years in a conservative, religious household lead to significantly higher levels of aspects of the childhood being influenced by the parent’s religion, which in turn greatly increased the LGB persons likelihood of renouncing religion in adulthood. Our discussion of the results is informed by a life course perspective, and we make suggestions for future researchers studying apostates.

Author

• R. Kyle Saunders, Florida State University