ABSTRACT
This chapter explores religion and its relationship to sexuality and LGBTQ+ rights in the contemporary world. We provide examples that illustrate the religious controversies over the allowance of openly LGBTQ+ persons into faith communities, to be married, and to become religious leaders. Data are provided that illustrates changes in attitudes regarding homosexuality and LGBTQ+ rights. We provide basic statements from religious groups reflecting their views of same-sex persons and relationships, as well as providing an overview of how LGBTQ+ individuals themselves think about religion and spirituality. We provide a typology with detailed examples for understanding how LGBTQ+ people negotiate their religious and sexual identities, which includes having integrated identities, embattled identities, liberated identities, and disillusioned identities. The chapter concludes by asking readers to think about whether the roles of LGBTQ+ persons in society can change without a concurrent change in religion.
