Queer prayer, meditation, and contemplation have been around for centuries. People who are queer may find that they need to redefine spiritual practices to fit their own identities and experiences. In this essay, I will explore how new forms of prayer, meditation, and contemplation can be created through queer experience.
Queer Spirituality
The term "queer" has been used since the late 19th century to refer to people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, asexual, intersex, or other sexual orientations or gender identities. The word is often seen as an umbrella term that includes all identities outside of heteronormativity. This broad definition allows for many different types of spiritual practice to emerge from queer experience.
Prayer
One way in which queer spirituality manifests itself is through prayer. Prayers can be directed towards God, the universe, or one's self. Many religious traditions include prayers that can be adapted for queer individuals.
The Catholic church offers prayers of petition, adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, and supplication. These prayers can be adapted to reflect queer identity by replacing pronouns with ones that better represent the individual's identity.
Instead of saying "Our Father," a queer person might say "My Parent." Instead of saying "Lord Jesus Christ," they could say "Queer Messiah." Instead of saying "we," they might say "I."
Meditation
Meditation is another form of spiritual practice that can be reimagined through queer experience. There are many types of meditation, including mindfulness, loving-kindness, and visualization. Queer individuals may find that traditional forms of meditation do not fit their experiences. They may need to create new practices that reflect their unique perspectives on life and spirituality.
Queer people who identify as polyamorous may choose to focus on their relationships during meditation. They might imagine themselves surrounded by their partners and feeling love for each other. Or they might focus on the beauty of nature and how it connects them to their sexuality and gender.
Contemplation
Contemplation is a form of meditation that involves reflection on a specific question or idea. This type of prayer can also be adapted to suit queer experience. A queer person might contemplate their relationship with God or the universe. They might consider how they relate to others in their community and how they want to live their life.
They might ask: What does it mean to me to have sex? How does my faith affect my dating life? How can I bring more joy into my world?
Queer spirituality offers new opportunities for people to explore their identity and connect with others. By adapting traditional forms of prayer, meditation, and contemplation, we can create new ways of expressing ourselves spiritually. It's important to remember that these practices should always be tailored to the individual's needs and preferences.
What new forms of prayer, meditation, and contemplation emerge from queer experience?
Queer individuals may engage in unique spiritual practices that are not common in mainstream religions. One example is the use of rituals involving body parts such as genitals, which can be seen as transgressive and subversive acts challenging heteronormative norms. Additionally, many queer people find solace in collective spaces where they can connect with like-minded individuals who share similar experiences and struggles related to sexuality, gender identity, and religion.