Religious Trauma and LGBTQIA+ Individuals

As Easter has come and passed by, some individuals might have had a startling realization or reminder: religious trauma is real and does not always go away with distance from the religion or time. Those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community whose family practices religion, who previously practiced themselves, or who still are a part of organized religion have a keen awareness of how religion can exact harmful words or actions against them.

There are some organized religions that have taken steps to welcome and love their LGBTQ+ members, but there are many that are still rooted in some of the following beliefs, such that:

• Members of the LGBTQIA+ community cannot practice religion if they identify as anything other than heterosexual

• LGBTQIA+ individuals are committing a sin and will be condemned when they die

• LGBTQ+ weddings and relationships shouldn’t be allowed or acknowledged

• LGBTQIA+ identity is because of demon possession or the work of the devil

• Members of the LGBT+ community need to be “healed,” and that when they are, they’ll be able to change their sexual orientation and/or gender identity

When big religious events such as Easter, Passover, Ramadan, or Vaisakhi come around and individuals who spend time with their family – who perhaps still practice an exclusionary religion or reside in a closed-minded place – it might be difficult to come to terms with the fact that religious trauma and its effects last far past being in a specific place or with specific people that trigger that trauma.

Why Addressing Religious Trauma is Important

Physical Health

The LGBTQIA+ community – who studies have shown are more at risk for mental illness, suicidal ideation, and self harm – are disproportionally at risk for distress, abuse, victimization, and bullying, especially in their teen or high school years, according to the statistics reported in the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey (YRBSS):

• Increased bullying at school

• 33% among LGBT+ students vs 17% among heterosexual students

• Increased sexual dating violence by dating partners

• 16% among LGBT+ students vs 6% among heterosexual students

• Increased suicide attempts

• 23% among LGBQ+ students vs 5% among heterosexual students

This trauma can carry over into your adult years and cause a distorted view of self. People or institutions that hold strict, intolerant religious views have a strong correlation to negative attitudes towards sexual and gender identities and can be the source of the abuse, bullying, and alienation from peers and their community that LGBTQIA+ individuals experience, which can cause individuals to develop a sense of contrasting identities, internalized homophobia, or internalized heterosexism. 

All of these factors can put an individual in a difficult position and lead to mental illness, suicidal ideation, and self harm that can surface when trauma triggers come around again.

It’s important to address the trauma at the source to keep individuals safe for a longer, more consistent period of time. Putting bandaids over wounds doesn’t always help them heal, and the thoughts and feelings inspired by religious trauma can be dangerous to an individual, especially if the individual still lacks a sense of belonging and community.

Remembering that religious trauma can happen in many different forms, and can manifest in many different forms, as well, is why therapy for trauma is necessary.

Mental Health

Just like addressing any other kind of trauma is important, trauma therapy has been known to benefit multiple different areas of life and wellness. By addressing the source or the root of the trauma, you can reframe life and create a better, more peaceful existence for yourself. This can include:

• Improving close relationships and connections

• Developing healthy coping skills for distorted, negative, or painful thoughts and feelings

• Reducing negative feelings such as shame, irritability, anger, guilt and frustration

• Increasing peace of mind

• Building a better sense of self to boost self-worth, confidence, and image

• Understanding and making some sense of what happened and why you feel the way you do

Mental health requires a holistic view to address trauma at every level, meaning even the trauma that seems seasonal or that doesn’t seem to affect you anymore. Especially if the religious trauma stems from childhood involvement with organized religion and religion is still a part of your identity whether you still practice it or not, the trauma could potentially be acting as a barrier to your growth and acceptance of the best you that there is. 

Religious trauma might be tempting to repress, particularly if you’ve cut yourself off from the religion and those who associate with it, but repressing trauma only breeds heightened resentment and a lower mental well-being. Religious trauma can inspire feelings of shame or guilt, especially around religious holidays, and reducing the triggers of religious trauma leads to a life less constricted by attempts to avoid people, places, or holidays that spark trauma responses. 

Start Your Journey To Relief From Religious Trauma Today

Whether you are currently struggling with religious trauma as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or you have previously experienced it, Dawn Pendleton has specialties in both trauma therapy and therapy for LGBTQIA+ individuals. 

As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community herself, Dawn knows how to navigate the sometimes tricky waters of trauma, resolution, and coping mechanisms for LGBT+ individuals. With tools such as PEAT and EMDR, Dawn Pendleton has the ability to guide you through uncertainty and existing trauma and into understanding and inner peace.

If you or someone you love is looking for a reliable, trustworthy counselor with specialties in the LGBTQIA+ community, sports and performance enhancement, and those affected by trauma, Dawn Pendleton of Pendleton Counseling Collaborative, EMDR-certified and Licensed Marriage and Family therapist, is currently accepting new clients. With over 20 years of experience working in both the public and private sectors of the mental health field, Dawn is licensed to provide in-person and telehealth services in both Kentucky and Indiana. Feel free to fill out an inquiry form with any additional questions, call (502) 377-1690, or visit her website to book an appointment.