Coming Out in Christianity: Religion, Identity, and Community

by Melissa M. Wilcox

For many Christians, "homosexuality" is an issue. It is often considered a matter of "us" versus "them," or worse, for gay men and women, a question of their behavior, not something intrinsic to their identity. Coming Out in Christianity examines this conflict from the point of view of a group of 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 in-depth interviews, the book explores life histories, current beliefs, cultural settings, and community influences to learn what helped each forge an identity as both gay and Christian. These powerful case studies will help to deepen our understanding of both religion and personal identity.

Genres: Christian

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Melissa M. Wilcox is Professor and Holstein Family and Community Chair of Religious Studies at the University of California, Riverside. She is the author of Queer Women and Religious Individualism, winner of the 2010 Book Award of the ASA’s Sociology of Religion Section.

Reviews

[Christopher Broadwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

An immense archive of LGBT voices who "come out" as Gay and Christian.