The current study presents data from the first longitudinal examination of sexual minority (SM) Mormons (n = 132). Over the course of 2 years, SM Mormons reported decreased psychological (e.g., ort...
This is a study conducted over a two-year period of Mormons who are sexual minorities (gay, lesbian, bi). Tyler Lefevor hopes to have the funding to continue following this group in coming years.
Many studies show that religiousness has a positive impact on mental health and well being, although for sexual minorities the association is weaker. This study found the main way religiousness promotes health for sexual minorities in the LDS Church came via interpersonal religious commitment (things like they enjoy spending time with other Mormons, staying informed about their local congregation, and having some influence in its decisions).
Religiousness also has the potential to harm sexual minorities, especially religious traditions that prohibit same-sex sexual relationships. Interestingly, church attendance didn’t promote health for those in the LDS Church, I wonder if it’s because that’s where they’re likely to hear heteronormative messages that cause them anguish.
For sexual minorities in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they have a number of unique risks that may influence their mental health and well-being. For example, being taught that heterosexual marriage is required to reach the Celestial Kingdom of heaven, being taught eternal salvation is dependent on avoiding any same-sex behaviors. Additionally, The LDS Church leaders have criticized gay and queer rights movements and used church resources to support legislation against rights, such as gay marriage.
The process of religious deidentification - even if it is ultimately positive - often has an impact on both mental health and well-being, especially in the short term as it disrupts family & social structures, and complicates ideas about the purpose of life. As participants became less religious, they had a harder time finding meaning in life and experienced more depression. It’s thought that over time that they will likely regain a sense of meaning and purpose in life as they stabilize in their religious deidentification.
This study found that LDS sexual minorities generally became less religious in all ways over time. This study suggests it’s difficult to hold onto both a Mormon identity and a sexual minority identity, and being a sexual minority leads Mormons to disengage from their religious identity.
This makes sense to me, I can’t change my sexual orientation, but I change my engagement or even affiliation with a church.
Sexual minorities who de-identify from the LDS Church are similar to others in religions that discourage same-sex relationships in that they find better mental health and well-being. They have higher levels of self-esteem and quality of life and decreased internalized homophobia and depression.
However, unlike others, their health outcomes and experiences of minority stressors remain similar to those who remained in the LDS Church. One possible explanation, particularly in Utah, is they still live in a place where the majority identify as members of the LDS Church, thus even those who leave may be motivated to retain some cultural aspects of Mormonism as it can grant them some societal power and privilege.
As sexual minority Mormons understand, accept, and show pride in their sexual identity, they have a decrease in internalize homonegativity. However, they tend to take longer to reach these milestones of accepting themselves, which makes these milestones more impactful when they occur.
As LDS sexual minorities become more confident in their identity, they begin to dissociate from the negative messages regarding same-sex sexuality and ultimately disaffiliate with the church due to concerns over the church’s stances on sexual orientation.
