ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the term “queer” to encapsulate the wide range of LGTBQIA, gender expansive, and gender creative client presentations. It proposes that queer teens from conservative religious environments may attempt to individuate in a similar fashion. The chapter explores the adolescent sibling bereavement coping model by applying it to queer youth who, through therapy, may reinvest in their religion in order to achieve identity synthesis and meaning. A companion study identified details in the identity development process of the youth in the study, by exploring the impact of religiosity on identity development in queer youth. Jerrod was able to express his fear and sadness over the community not being a welcoming place for queer people, and even challenge some ministers who maintained that being gay is a sin. Jerrod continued to go to church and participate in religious activities, though he frequently became depressed when he felt less than welcomed.
