Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Christians: Queer Christians, Authentic Selves

Description

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Christians details the processes through which LGBT Christians resolve the fraught tensions between their religious, sexual and gendered identities, and examines the associated changes to their religious practice in the pursuit of "authenticity." The book moves between richly described first-person accounts and clear theoretical analysis, contextualising the disucssion within contemporary theories of religion and same-sex attraction. Through careful qualitative research with LGBT Christians in the Australian Metropolitan Community Church (MCC), and the Uniting Church, Bronwyn Fielder and Douglas Ezzy show that although painful self-questioning and struggle is experienced by some LGBT Christians, many people ultimately find a resolution and a sense of peace with their sexual identity as LGBT Christians. The pursuit of authenticity is shown to be driven by participants' essentialist understanding of sexuality and gender, and the centrality of religiosity to their sense of self. Offering insight into how participants transform their relationships, emotions, beliefs, and ritual practices in order to make this authentic life possible, this study is an important contribution to the field of religion and sexuality.

Bronwyn Fielder is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Tasmania, Australia. Her research focuses particularly on the reproduction of inequalities in society and ways in which these inequalities can be addressed. Douglas Ezzy is Professor of Sociology at the University of Tasmania, Australia. He has published eight books, including Reinventing Church (2016), Sex, Death and Witchcraft (2014, Bloomsbury Academic), and Teenage Witches (2007).

A very welcome contribution to the field. Well researched, accessible, and in deep conversation with existing research, Fielder's work will be of interest to scholars and practitioners alike, not only in Australia but internationally as well. * Melissa M. Wilcox, Professor of Religious Studies, University of California, USA * Carefully researched and interpreted stories, both painful and delightful, but always faithful, make this a powerful presentation. A great read for most; a must read for those who need help coming to accept that being LGBT and Christian is not easy but really happens. * Gary D Bouma, Professor, Monash University and St John's Anglican Parish East Malvern, Australia * Is there such a thing as "Queer Christianity" in practice? This sensitive and illuminating study considers how LGBT Christians in a hostile climate and try to carve out new Christian space. * Linda Woodhead, Professor of Sociology of Religion, Lancaster University, UK * This thoughtful ethnography explores the desire for authenticity among LGBT Christians who seek lives true to their sexual, gendered and religious selves. * Mary Jo Neitz, Professor of Sociology, University of Missouri, USA * This book balances well intellectual rigour and an accessible writing style. It is an important contribution to the current debate on sexuality, gender, and religion. * Andrew Yip, Professor of Sociology, University of Nottingham, UK * In their careful and thoughtful analysis, the authors provide insight into how such conflicted identities resolve religion and sexuality within the creation of "liveable lives". * Sally R. Munt, Professor of Gender Studies and Cultural Studies, University of Sussex, UK *