ABSTRACT
D. Sherkat investigated religious commitment in six sexuality groupings: female and male heterosexuals, female and male bisexuals, and lesbians and gay men. Gay men and heterosexual females had almost the same rates of church attendance, and gay men were more active in religious organizations than male heterosexuals. Given most US religious denominations condemn same-sex behavior as sinful, one would assume that gay and bisexual men would be less likely to be involved in religious organizations or institutions. Religious homonegativity experienced in a religious setting is often experienced in one’s family environment as well, which can only exacerbate one’s level of distress or discontent. Internalized homonegativity is when negative attitudes toward homosexuality are accepted or incorporated into the self as guiding principles about oneself and others. Conflict about their religious identity may be related to their sexual identity. Such conflict may result from religious teachings that were psychologically damaging, affecting the emotional wellbeing of gay men.
