| Practically no research exists to date on sexual minorities' positive experiences in faith communities, although such information might be helpful to those individuals who are struggling to find a spiritual or religious "home," as well as to those who care about and support them. The purpose of this IRB-approved, phenomenological study was to gain an in-depth understanding of sexual minorities' lived experience of at-homeness in a faith community, by conducting, one-on-one interviews with individuals from various faith communities in Chicagoland. The transcribed interview data from five participants were analyzed to derive a situated structure of the phenomenon of interest for each, and participants confirmed the accuracy and adequacy of their respective descriptions prior to the development of a general structure of the at-homeness experience. One meaning theme was common to all participants: having opportunities to interact with fellow sexual minorities in the larger faith community, so as to have one's life experiences validated by others who share their sexual identity. Several additional themes were common to most of the participants as well, and these are discussed, as are limitations of this study. Finally, directions for future research and clinical practice are suggested. This is the first research study seeking to understand the lived experience of being ''at home" in a faith community as a sexual minority. The findings should serve as useful information for mental-health professionals, faith communities, and others wishing to extend hospitality and support to this population. |
