The current discourse around religion is largely centered on an understanding that one's faith must dictate how they live their lives. This includes the way they dress, speak, act, behave, eat, pray, and even love. It also extends to matters of sex and gender identity, particularly for individuals who identify themselves as members of the LGBTQ community. These people are often alienated from mainstream religious circles due to prejudice and stigma against them.
There have been increased efforts towards interfaith solidarity among different religious communities, which can help marginalized believers view themselves through new lenses of self-worth and self-acceptance.
Interfaith solidarity refers to collaborative engagement between individuals of diverse belief systems based on mutual respect, tolerance, shared concerns, and collective action toward a common goal. There has been a growing trend in recent years wherein religious leaders are coming together to work on issues affecting their respective flocks such as poverty reduction, violence prevention, peacekeeping initiatives, climate change mitigation, and healthcare provision. Interfaith solidarity helps to reduce misconceptions about other religions while fostering cooperation and collaboration between believers. Through this approach, marginalized LGBTQ believers gain access to resources that promote inclusivity and acceptance within their religious spaces.
Exposure to interfaith solidarity allows marginalized LGBTQ believers to redefine their perceptions of divine worth. This is because it offers an opportunity to break down social barriers that create a divide between groups and individuals with differing beliefs. It also challenges stereotypes that portray homosexuals as immoral or sinful beings who lack the ability to practice faith. When members from different religious communities come together to promote unity and understanding, they are more likely to see each other's perspectives and learn that everyone has equal value before God regardless of sexual orientation. The idea of being created in the image of God is affirmed by all religions, and thus, marginalized individuals can understand themselves through the lens of divinity rather than gender or sexual identity.
Exposure to interfaith solidarity empowers LGBTQ believers to embrace their identities without fear or shame. As they engage with others outside their faith groups, they realize that they share common struggles such as prejudice, discrimination, and exclusion. By standing alongside other marginalized individuals, they are able to find strength in numbers and support networks that can help them navigate difficult situations. In addition, interfaith initiatives provide a platform for advocacy whereby LGBTQ believers can speak out against discriminatory practices within their own religious communities while promoting inclusivity and acceptance. They become ambassadors of change who can help foster greater tolerance and respect towards those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, or any other variant.
Exposure to interfaith solidarity encourages LGBTQ believers to view themselves as divine creations worthy of love and respect. It allows them to connect with people from different belief systems who recognize their humanity, value their contributions, and validate their existence. This helps to build bridges between disparate religious groups while promoting understanding and acceptance among members. Through this approach, marginalized individuals can redefine their self-perception and cultivate an attitude of inclusion and unity toward all believers regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, or identity.
How does exposure to interfaith solidarity affect the self-perception of divine worth among marginalized LGBTQ believers?
Interacting with individuals from different religions often leads to increased feelings of belongingness and acceptance that can positively impact an individual's sense of self-worth. This phenomenon has been observed among people who identify as marginalized sexual and gender minorities within religious communities, including those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community (Sanders et al. , 2019).