Step 1: What is Sexual Identity?
Sexual identity is how an individual understands their own sex, gender, and sexuality. It encompasses everything from physical characteristics to emotional experiences related to one's body, mind, and relationships.
It may include things like genitals, secondary sex characteristics, hormones, reproductive functions, chromosomal makeup, personality traits, preferences for dressing, speaking, acting, socializing, dating, loving, relating, having sex, identifying oneself, and so forth.
Step 2: How does Religion Define Sexual Identity?
Religions often define sexual identity based on strict rules about what is acceptable, such as marriage between man and woman, abstinence outside of marriage, procreation for purposes of reproduction, no homosexuality or adultery, etc. These rules are typically enforced through shaming, guilt, threats, punishments, and exclusions. They create boundaries around what is considered 'normal', which can lead people to feel shame, fear, embarrassment, confusion, frustration, anger, sadness, and other negative feelings.
Step 3: Religious Repression and Grief
When individuals experience religious repression regarding their sexual identity, they may go through a process of grieving. This includes acknowledging that they have lost something important to them (e.g., acceptance in society, family, community), expressing their pain and sadness, seeking understanding and support, healing emotionally, finding new ways to meet needs, learning how to cope with the loss, and eventually moving forward in life.
Step 4: Coping Mechanisms
Coping mechanisms for dealing with religious repression of sexual identity may include talking to trusted friends and family members, joining online communities, seeking professional help, practicing self-care (exercise, meditation, journaling, art therapy), attending religious services without feeling judged, exploring alternative spiritual paths, changing one's name or appearance, going on dates with non-religious partners, and so forth. It can be difficult but possible to find peace within oneself despite external pressures.