The Experience of LGBTQ+ Identity as Spiritual Identity
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 9057907 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Silvio Machado (0000-0002-8907-7965, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA, USA, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 66 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 360-382 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Humanistic Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0022-1678 • E-ISSN: 1552-650X |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/00221678221107496 |
| OpenAlex | W4284663678 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 41 |
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
Aesthetics · Homosexuality · Identity (music) · Identity formation · Lesbian · Mainstream · Psychology of self · Qualitative research · Religiosity · Religious identity · Self-concept · Sociology · Spirituality · Thematic analysis · Transgender · Gender Studies · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Marriage and Sexual Relationships · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Social Psychology
Handbook of Religion and Health
Religious Involvement, Spirituality, and Medicine
The Meanings and Manifestations of Religion and Spirituality among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Adults
Competing selves
Religiosity and Remission of Depression in Medically Ill Older Patients
Religious Conflicts Experienced by Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals
Examining the relation of religion and spirituality to subjective well-being across national cultures
“I'm Created in God's Image, and God Don't Create Junk”
E‐mail interviewing in qualitative research
To Be Jewish and Lesbian
Growing up gay and religious. Conflict, dialogue, and religious identity strategies
Sexuality, Religion, and Authority
Transgender, Transsexual, and Gender Queer Individuals with a Christian Upbringing
I Became Proud of Being Gay and Proud of Being Christian”
I never faced up to being gay’
At the Intersection of Church and Gay
Religion, Health, and Psychological Well-Being in Older Adults
Isolated, Invisible, and in the Closet
Exploring the Relationship between Sexual Orientation and Religious Identities for Jewish Lesbian College Students
I Don't Want to Taint the Name of Islam”
Intrinsic Religious Orientation and Religious Teaching
Does religious observance promote health? mortality in secular vs religious kibbutzim in Israel
Religious affiliation, internalized homophobia, and mental health in lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals
Toward a Humanistic-Phenomenological Spirituality
Spiritual and religious competencies in psychology
Using thematic analysis in psychology
Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations
A Practical Guide to the E-Mail Interview
Arrival at Home
"Abomination"-Life as a Bible Belt Gay
The Priest Obviously Doesn't Know That I'm Gay
Education and Mortality in Washington County, Maryland
We are God's Children, Y'All
Gay and Lesbian Christians
Being Gay and Jewish
Religious Involvement, Humility, and Self-Rated Health
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,5 |
| Citation span | 2024 - 2024 (1) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |