LGBTQ People and Religious Trauma
Love, faith, friendship, and healing
LGBTQ people often must deal with lingering trauma from religious teachings they encountered as children, in many cases before they even realized they were members of a gender or sexual minority. Teens have it tough, but adults struggle too. Here are some numbers and a personal story to illustrate just how tough things can be.
LGBTQ kids and religious rejection —
LGBTQ kids raised in conservative religions often experience faith as poison. Most people who attend church regularly experience better mental health and more happiness than the general public. For LGBTQ people, the opposite is true. A 2018 study examined over 21,000 young adults and found that the more LGBTQ people go to church, the more mentally unhealthy they are.
Teenagers are most severely affected.
According to a Trevor Project survey, rates of LGBTQ youth suicide attempts, homelessness, and major depression are through the roof.
The survey found 39% of LGBTQ teens had seriously considered suicide in the past twelve months. More than half of transgender teens had seriously considered suicide. For LGBTQ kids living in supportive, affirming environments, these numbers plummet.
