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Article
A Survey of Gay/Lesbian Catholics Concerning Attitudes Toward Sexual Orientation and Religious Beliefs
Journal of Homosexuality (1991)
  • Thomas W O'Brien, DePaul University
Abstract
The negative assessment of lesbian/gay relationships in Catholic circles is most often based on scanty information gathered from folklore, the commercial media, and a narrow, literal reading of Biblical texts. Assumptions are made about the personal adjustment of individual gay/lesbian persons and the quality of their relationships without recourse to actual lived experience. This survey of 263 gay/lesbian Catholics and 20 controls was designed to receive direct feedback from lesbian/gay persons concerning their religious attitudes, personal adjustment, and relational quality. The results contradict many preconceptions, and a remarkable similarity is demonstrated between the gay/lesbian responses and those of the control group.
Keywords
  • Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith,
  • gay,
  • lesbian,
  • homosexual,
  • straight,
  • catholic,
  • church
Publication Date
August, 1991
Citation Information
Thomas W O'Brien. "A Survey of Gay/Lesbian Catholics Concerning Attitudes Toward Sexual Orientation and Religious Beliefs" Journal of Homosexuality Vol. 21 Iss. 4 (1991)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/thomas_obrien/3/