Coming Out In Christianity: Religion, Identity, And Community

For many Christians, "homosexuality" is an issue. It is often considered a matter of "us" versus "them," or worse, a question of "behavior," not something intrinsic to a person's identity. "Coming Out in Christianity examines this identity conflict from the point of view of some lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Christians. It focuses on current and former members of two Metropolitan Community Churches in California that serve predominantly LGBT Christians. Based on original research, including more than 70 indepth interviews, the book explores life histories, current beliefs, cultural settings, and community influences in an attempt to understand the variety of factors that affect the construction of an integrated LGBT Christian identity. These powerful case studies will help to deepen our understanding of both religion and personal identity.