ABSTRACT
This qualitative study explores the ways in which gay men and lesbian women create meaning out of spirituality and religion in their lives. As research indicates that spirituality and religion are salient aspects of identity and that homophobia exists in many religious institutions, gays and lesbians experience both similar and unique challenges in these areas when compared to heterosexual persons. Therefore, research literature and books about spirituality and religion were examined to create a foundation for conceptualizing this topic, and detailed interviews were conducted with gay and lesbian individuals in the United States who identifi ed with Judeo-Christian religious traditions. Interview transcripts were then analyzed, guided by the Consensual Qualitative Research approach (Hill et al., 1997), and this data provided rich descriptions of gay and lesbian experiences concerning both spirituality and religion. The resulting eight domains and categorical themes indicate a profound sense of inequity compared to heterosexuals in religious institutions, a dichotomy between spirituality and religion, and defi cient components of acceptance and belonging that are fundamental in religious and spiritual growth. Also, the fi ndings both support and challenge other theories about the nature of spirituality and religion and the applicability of these theories to gay and lesbian populations. In addition, implications of these results suggest ways to prevent religious abuse, cope with spiritual crises, and organize community interventions aimed at empowering gays and lesbians to lead integrated lives.
