Complicit silence, fluid identities and a shift to personalized faith: LGBTQ+ experiences in conservative Christian communities

Abstract

Using in-depth interviews with six participants, this qualitative project examines LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and others) experiences in conservative Christian communities in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, through the lens of queer theory. The research questions guiding this project are: (1) Does there continue to be a code of silence surrounding LGBTQ+ identities within conservative Christian communities? (2) How do LGBTQ+ individuals deal with the perceived incompatibility between their religion and their sexuality and/or gender? (3) How do LGBTQ+ individuals understand their LGBTQ+ identity when situated within a traditionally heteronormative religious community? The findings indicate that the participants view the silence surrounding LGBTQ+ issues and the subsequent lack of formal support for LGBTQ+ individuals as complicit in perpetuating rhetoric that LGBTQ+ identities are abnormal, sinful and shameful. All of the participants shifted to a more personalized faith and view Christianity as a resource instead of a requirement, and the majority of the participants frame both their gender/sexual identity and religious identity as fluid and liminal, subject to change depending on the context.