Supporting LGBT Individuals and Couples as Parents

The differences between states and within states are profound, and while that has long been true, it is much more consequential to LGBT individuals since the legalization of same-sex marriage. Social change relating to LGBT issues were originally addressed in a 1997 article written by Thomas Stoddard titled “Bleeding Heart: Reflections on Using the Law to Make Social Change.” This chapter uses his framework and examines legislative responses to the legalization of same-sex marriage focusing on place.

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Sexual Minorities and Spirituality

Spirituality and Mental Health Across Cultures ◽

10.1093/med/9780198846833.003.0010 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 147-164

Author(s):

Dinesh Bhugra ◽

Cameron Watson ◽

Susham Gupta

Keyword(s):

Identity Formation ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Coming Out ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Religion And Spirituality ◽

Religious Attitudes ◽

Number Of Factors ◽

Bisexual And Transgender ◽

The Individual ◽

Lgbt Individuals

For some lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, organized religion can sometimes be a major source of stress and difficulty in identity formation and acceptance whereas others may find solace in it. Belonging to a religion and following it are different aspects of an individual, and often an important part of the culture they have been brought up in. One of the micro-identities for the individual is religion and associated rites, rituals, and taboos. Multiple micro-identities can play a major role in the smooth functioning of an individual. ‘Coming out’ is a process of self-validation and religious views of the individual and those around them can sometimes create major difficulties. Clinicians need to be cognizant of social and religious attitudes of their patients to their own sexuality and also to specific stages of coming out. It is likely that religion and spirituality can be both obstructive or facilitatory for LGBT individuals depending upon a number of factors including homophobia or transphobia related to strong religious views. Various tenets of religions are described briefly in this chapter and their attitudes to alternate sexuality or sexual variations referred to. An attempt is made to advise clinicians and other mental health professionals on how to engage with LGBT individuals. Spirituality can play a major role in some people’s lives even when they do not follow specific organized religions.

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Secularisation and intimate relationships in a Catholic community: Is Malta a resistant niche?

Social Compass ◽

10.1177/0037768620920173 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 67 (3) ◽

pp. 372-388

Author(s):

Angele Deguara

Keyword(s):

Intimate Relationships ◽

Sexual Morality ◽

Contemporary Society ◽

Same Sex ◽

Civil Marriage ◽

Catholic Faith ◽

The Relationship ◽

Depth Interviews ◽

Lgbt Individuals

This study explores secularisation in a traditionally Catholic community through the analysis of intimate relationships which fall outside Catholic morality. It gives an indication of how individuals in contemporary society perceive Church teachings on sexuality in terms of the relationship choices they make. The research draws upon 2 years of fieldwork carried out with Drachma LGBTI, a space where lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex (LGBTI) people of faith may explore and deepen their spirituality. I also conducted 35 in-depth interviews with LGBT and non-LGBT individuals whose lifestyle runs counter to official Church teachings on sexuality, despite their Catholic faith that is, who are in a same-sex relationship or else divorced, cohabiting or in a civil marriage. The study revealed that while informants may disregard Church teachings on matters of sexuality, their reconstructed sexual morality is still embedded within a Catholic framework.

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