The word 'religion' can be defined as "the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods." It is a system that involves various practices and rituals that are held to be necessary for salvation and the transcendence of suffering.
Religious Persecution
Religious persecution is the practice of denying religious freedom or treating individuals badly because of their religion. This includes discrimination, segregation, violence, imprisonment, torture, forced conversion, expulsion, and even genocide. In this context, LGBT people have been targeted by many religions due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or both. The Christian church, in particular, has historically condemned homosexuality as a sin and even criminalized it in some countries.
Self-Identity
Self-identity refers to how an individual sees themselves. This includes their values, beliefs, aspirations, interests, and characteristics. The experience of religious persecution can shape self-identity in several ways. First, it can cause trauma and lead to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Second, it can cause feelings of shame, guilt, and fear which can affect one's sense of worth and belonging. Third, it can lead to internalized homophobia and transphobia where the victim begins to believe that they are abnormal or unworthy.
It can result in spiritual dissonance where the person feels a conflict between their faith and sexual orientation/gender identity.
Generational Differences
Generational differences refer to the variations in beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, and experiences across different age groups. These differences can be influenced by societal changes, technological advancements, cultural shifts, and historical events. When it comes to religious persecution, younger generations may have had less exposure to religious institutions and may therefore feel more confident expressing their identities openly. Older generations may have experienced greater stigma and discrimination but also a deeper connection with their faith community and stronger ties to traditional values.
How does the experience of religious persecution shape the self-identity of LGBT people across generations?
The experience of religious persecution can significantly impact the self-identity of LGBT individuals and lead them to develop coping mechanisms that are unique compared to their non-LGBT counterparts. One study found that sexual minorities who had experienced discrimination reported higher levels of depression and lower levels of self-esteem than those who did not experience such discrimination (Hatzenbuehler et al. , 2014).