LGBTQ+ Youth, Mental Health, and Faith
- Robert Daniel Arnau
- Feb 7, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 29, 2024
A short piece on conversion therapy
According to The Trevor Project's National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health 2021, 94% of LGBTQ youth reported that recent politics negatively impacted their mental health. 48% of LGBTQ youth reported they wanted counseling from a mental health professional but were unable to receive it in the past year. 13% of LGBTQ youth reported being subjected to conversion therapy, with 83% reporting it occurred when they were under age 18.
I wonder how this impacts the way queer young people perceive faith leaders.
As a community faith leader doing pastoral work/spiritual companionship with folks who have experienced religious trauma, I am often amazed at how many young people still experience toxic theology. In this day and age where so much progress has been done with LGBTQ+ rights, there continues to be an epidemic of increased religious trauma.
And the previous administration of this country added to the preservation of this.
The solution to many of those who hold conservative beliefs on sexual orientation includes conversion "therapy." But, as we learned from the recent past, this type of "therapy" does not work. It only fuels more fire to the flame of mental illness.
Now for those that don't know what conversion "therapy" is:
'Conversion therapy' is the discredited practice that aims to convert a person's sexual orientation or gender identity to heterosexual or cisgender. It is often religious in nature, with groups claiming sexual orientation and gender identity can be changed through prayer. - https://tinyurl.com/yd22a8v7
This type of "therapy" is often suggested by parents/caregivers and young people who undergo this type of cruel treatment often experience depression, anxiety, drug use, homelessness, and suicide.
But, according to the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry and its policy on conversion therapy,
[It] finds no evidence to support the application of any “therapeutic intervention” operating under the premise that a specific sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression is pathological. Furthermore, based on the scientific evidence, the AACAP asserts that such “conversion therapies” (or other interventions imposed with the intent of promoting a particular sexual orientation and/or gender as a preferred outcome) lack scientific credibility and clinical utility. As a result, “conversion therapies” should not be part of any behavioral health treatment of children and adolescents. https://tinyurl.com/2daxvc7z
It's no wonder why young people steer away from religious or spiritual institutions.
I have found that through my work, all kinds of people often seek me out because they are curious.
Curious to how I can be queer and clergy.
Curious to how I managed to survive conversion "therapy."
Curious to know how they can find healing.
Faith communities that are open and affirming play a vital role in the mental health of young people when their identities are not only welcomed in the church but celebrated. The challenge for some is finding those spaces and leaders who can offer the spiritual support they need.
That is why I try and speak up about this.
That is why I try to be visible in various conversations so that it is known that folks like us exist.
If you, or someone you know, is going through some tough times with their faith and identity, I am here. I will also leave some resources below that you can read or share.
You are not alone in this world, and you are loved by the Source of Love.
Amen, ashé, and may it be so.
Resources:
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