Affirming Resources for LGBTQ+ Individuals Exploring Faith and Religious Identities: An Annotated Bibliography

Abstract

When care providers begin working with an LGBTQ+ client, they can often feel unprepared to help the client explore the role faith and religion play in that individual’s life. Even though cultural narratives tend to pit people of different orientations and genders against people of faith, the reality is that many LGBTQ+ people are trying to find ways to integrate their religious identity into a more complete sense of self. This chapter seeks to provide recommendations for affirming, faith-based resources that can help care receivers move from confusion and conflict to pride and synthesis in all areas of their identity. Recommendations for online and in-print resources, as well as for community organizations, are broken up into larger categories for those from Christian, Jewish, and Muslim backgrounds, with a shorter list provided for those from other religious traditions.