Religious trauma still haunts millions of LGBTQ Americans

[Jessica_Rose]

Religious trauma still haunts millions of LGBTQ Americans

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/religious-trauma-still-haunts-millions-of-lgbtq-americans/ar-BB1hogkN?cvid=732696736b294d3bb70e230987f5fff3&ei=8

Story by Spencer Macnaughton (28 Jan 2024)

Kellen Swift-Godzisz, 35, said he doesn't go on dates, struggles with erectile dysfunction and is hesitant to trust people. For more than 20 years, he's experienced intense bouts of anxiety and depression that have had a "major hold on his life."

"Imagine being told by everyone you trusted that you're going to hell because you like men."

At just 11 years old, Swift-Godzisz recalled, he would sit in his bedroom every night praying or writing letters that said, "Please God, remove my affliction of same-sex attraction," and would then store each letter in an overflowing shoebox in his closet.

Swift-Godzisz is among the 1 in 3 adults in the United States who have suffered from religious trauma at some point in their life, according to a 2023 study published in the Socio-Historical Examination of Religion and Ministry Journal.

Experts say LGBTQ people — who represent more than 7% of the U.S. population, according to a 2023 Gallup poll — experience religious trauma at disproportionate rates and in unique ways. Very little research has been done in this field, but a 2022 study found that LGBTQ people who experience certain forms of religious trauma are at increased risk for suicidality, substance abuse, homelessness, anxiety and depression.

[D'Amalie]

Religious trauma still haunts millions of LGBTQ Americans

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/religious-trauma-still-haunts-millions-of-lgbtq-americans/ar-BB1hogkN?cvid=732696736b294d3bb70e230987f5fff3&ei=8

Story by Spencer Macnaughton (28 Jan 2024)

Kellen Swift-Godzisz, 35, said he doesn't go on dates, struggles with erectile dysfunction and is hesitant to trust people. For more than 20 years, he's experienced intense bouts of anxiety and depression that have had a "major hold on his life."

"Imagine being told by everyone you trusted that you're going to hell because you like men."

At just 11 years old, Swift-Godzisz recalled, he would sit in his bedroom every night praying or writing letters that said, "Please God, remove my affliction of same-sex attraction," and would then store each letter in an overflowing shoebox in his closet.

Swift-Godzisz is among the 1 in 3 adults in the United States who have suffered from religious trauma at some point in their life, according to a 2023 study published in the Socio-Historical Examination of Religion and Ministry Journal.

Experts say LGBTQ people — who represent more than 7% of the U.S. population, according to a 2023 Gallup poll — experience religious trauma at disproportionate rates and in unique ways. Very little research has been done in this field, but a 2022 study found that LGBTQ people who experience certain forms of religious trauma are at increased risk for suicidality, substance abuse, homelessness, anxiety and depression.

ARGH!  Organized religion.  Hmmm.  I have to tread carefully here.

[D'Amalie]

ARGH!  Organized religion.  Hmmm.  I have to tread carefully here.

wouldn't care to run afoul of "The Foul Language and Respectful Communication Policy."