Project Details
Layman's description
This project will look at the experiences of LGBTQ+ people from Afro-Caribbean backgrounds in the UK who grew up in Pentecostal, Evangelical, or Charismatic Christian communities. Studies about homosexuality in Black churches are rare, and most of the existing research is based in the US or done by heterosexual pastors or LGBTQ+ Christians. However, many Black LGBTQ+ people have reported being rejected, discriminated against, or facing homophobia in Christian communities because of religious beliefs that view homosexuality as sinful.
The project will use an intersectional approach, looking at how sexuality, gender, race, and religion all play a role in shaping these experiences. It will focus on how people navigate “coming out” as LGBTQ+ while being of Afro-Caribbean descent, and the impact of revealing non-religious or alternative beliefs. This is an area that hasn’t been studied much but is important for understanding this community and creating better support systems.
The study will use ideas from queer theory to focus on LGBTQ+ lives and Critical Race Theory to examine how colonialism enforced strict views about gender and sexuality. Data will be collected through interviews with Afro-Caribbean LGBTQ+ people who have experienced negotiating their sexual and gendered identities with their religious upbringing. Participants will be recruited through community organizations, LGBTQ+ services, and religious groups. The interviews will then be analysed using thematic analysis to identify key themes.
The project will use an intersectional approach, looking at how sexuality, gender, race, and religion all play a role in shaping these experiences. It will focus on how people navigate “coming out” as LGBTQ+ while being of Afro-Caribbean descent, and the impact of revealing non-religious or alternative beliefs. This is an area that hasn’t been studied much but is important for understanding this community and creating better support systems.
The study will use ideas from queer theory to focus on LGBTQ+ lives and Critical Race Theory to examine how colonialism enforced strict views about gender and sexuality. Data will be collected through interviews with Afro-Caribbean LGBTQ+ people who have experienced negotiating their sexual and gendered identities with their religious upbringing. Participants will be recruited through community organizations, LGBTQ+ services, and religious groups. The interviews will then be analysed using thematic analysis to identify key themes.
Key findings
This study is expected to provide a deeper understanding of several critical areas concerning the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals raised within religious environments. Specifically, it aims to explore:
• The psychological impact of reconciling LGBTQ+ identity with religious upbringing, contributing to knowledge on the role of internalised homophobia and pressure to conform to community expectations.
• Strategies employed by individuals to navigate conflicting identities.
The insights gained from this research will play a vital role in shaping culturally competent mental health interventions and support services tailored to the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals with religious backgrounds. These services would consider the unique intersections of race, religion, and sexuality, ensuring they are relevant and effective for this population. Furthermore, the findings will inform policy recommendations for religious institutions, urging them to adopt more inclusive practices, and for LGBTQ+ support organizations to create resources that specifically address the experiences of individuals from religiously conservative or culturally unique backgrounds. By addressing the significant gap in UK-based research on this topic, this study seeks to promote a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of the varied and complex experiences within the Black LGBTQ+ community.
• The psychological impact of reconciling LGBTQ+ identity with religious upbringing, contributing to knowledge on the role of internalised homophobia and pressure to conform to community expectations.
• Strategies employed by individuals to navigate conflicting identities.
The insights gained from this research will play a vital role in shaping culturally competent mental health interventions and support services tailored to the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals with religious backgrounds. These services would consider the unique intersections of race, religion, and sexuality, ensuring they are relevant and effective for this population. Furthermore, the findings will inform policy recommendations for religious institutions, urging them to adopt more inclusive practices, and for LGBTQ+ support organizations to create resources that specifically address the experiences of individuals from religiously conservative or culturally unique backgrounds. By addressing the significant gap in UK-based research on this topic, this study seeks to promote a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of the varied and complex experiences within the Black LGBTQ+ community.
Short title | Afro-Caribbean People’s Experiences of Coming Out |
---|---|
Acronym | ACRMH |
Status | Not started |
Effective start/end date | 1/09/25 → 1/09/28 |
Keywords
- sexuality
- Race
- Othering
- Religion
- Intersectionality
- LGBTQ+
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