In recent years, the younger generations, Millennials and Gen Zers, have rejected traditional religion in favor of spiritual beliefs such as tarot, astrology, meditation, energy healing, and crystals. According to a Pew study, Millennials are increasingly identifying as spiritual rather than religious. This comes from a common youthful urge to reject the status quo and the beliefs of their parents and older generations. This is also because of radical religious groups and their harmful stances on social issues. Most notably, the religious refusal to fully acknowledge and accept the LGBTQ+ community.
While some traditions and communities are becoming increasingly open to accepting the LGBTQ+ community, there is a long history of persecution and shaming that is rooted in religious teachings. Many of the most outspoken figures against LGBTQ+ rights openly point to their faith as the origin of their prejudice, and religious groups or politicians lobbied against same-sex marriage, transgender rights, and other LGBTQ+ issues.
In the 1980s and 90s, Christian conservatives invested in the message that homosexuality was a curable disorder, and they offered conversion therapy as a “cure” for such ailments. Countless LGBTQ+ youths have been subjected to these atrocious groups and have been driven to depression, anxiety, drug use, and suicide. The American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, the World Psychiatric Association, among others have come out against conversion therapy. Despite this, it is still legal in some parts of the country.
According to a Gallup study, one in six Gen Z adults identify as LGBTQ+ and 12% of all Gen Z adults identify as bisexual. With a growing LGBTQ+ community, it is no wonder why the younger generations have turned their back on the religious institutions that have stood in the way of progress and equal rights. Even as these groups attempt to modernize and be more open-minded, they cannot erase or undo the trauma and harm they have caused in the past. Mainstream religions have historically been significant contributors to oppression and suffering for the LGBTQ+ community.
This has caused many to leave the community in search of other outlets. Many of these individuals have found what they were looking for in spirituality. According to the Journal of Occupational Science, “spirituality has been linked with meaning, purpose, motivation, inter-connectedness, hope, and essence of the self.” The LGBTQ+ community was able to find their connection to a higher power in a place where they felt accepted and loved rather than ostracized or shamed.
I am an LGBTQ+ ally, and I understand where the community feels disregarded by religious groups. Most religious groups are significantly prejudiced towards the LGBTQ+ community. I have seen it first hand. My high school was Christian, and my friends who identified with the LGBTQ+ were treated like trash and were "asked to leave" the school if there were talks of their sexuality going around the school. This was very painful to see. I do not think it is Christianity as a whole but instead the large sum of people who practice it. I believe in God, but I do not condone the judgemental behavior of people who say they're Christians. I think spirituality is an excellent aspect of today'…
In my first semester at USC, I took an LGBTQ+ Representation in the Media course. I honestly did not believe I was well-suited to this class because I do not fall into a queer category, but I am a strong ally of the community and am grateful that I had the opportunity to learn more about the history and visibility of this minority. I was fascinated by the content I learned over that semester and feel that I am able to offer much more support to the community, now that I have a better understanding of what they have gone through. There are so many narratives essential to understanding the LGBTQ community which are never discussed in the mainstream media…