Finding their way: A qualitative study of life course experiences of lesbian older adults with religion and spirituality

Two streams of gerontological research suggest that religiosity increases in the latter years of life and that religiosity contributes positively to the well being of older adults. A separate line of research suggests that gay and lesbian persons experience significant conflict with religion and points to a variety of strategies for reconciling with religion, including turning away from it: in fact, research suggests that most gays and lesbians identify as either nonreligious or as spiritual, but not religious. However, the gerontological research on religion has not asked about sexual orientation and the research among gays and lesbians has focused on younger persons. As a result, it's unclear how the vexed relationship that gays and lesbians have with religion impacts involvement with religion or well being over their life courses.;This exploratory study begins to fill research gaps. Through conversations with twenty lesbian older adults (60 years of age and above), purposefully selected to represent a range of religious identifications, including the nonreligious and spiritual, this qualitative study explored how lesbian older adults have engaged with religion and spirituality across their life courses.;The study reflected back on extant research, and other findings emerged as well. Participants did not increase in religiosity as they aged, nor did there seem to be a positive relationship between religiosity and well being. And, contrary to what might have been expected, few reported that religious conflict impacted religious identities or affiliations including those that identified as nonreligious or spiritual. On balance, participants reported more positive experiences than negative with religion. Nonetheless, participants faced challenges, and they adopted strategies to engage with religion that were conditioned by their sexual orientation: for example, all did work to either dismiss or explain religious doctrine that condemned homosexuality and most traveled long distances to attend services in gay-safe religious and spiritual congregations.;Religion and spirituality met many needs, including providing refuge from homophobia experienced in the general society. However, participants engaged strategically with religion because homophobia continues to exist in subtle and not-so-subtle forms in the majority of mainstream religious congregations.