The Intersectionality Identified Within Cognitive Dissonance with a Concentration on the Interactions Between Religiosity and the LGBTQ+ Community

Abstract

Since their individual conceptions, the LGBTQ+ community and religion have been at odds. I believe that this feud is rooted in the cognitive dissonance of the individuals involved in both of these communities. Both of these communities are identity centered, yet for some reason, there are these unwritten reasons why participation in both is unacceptable. The LGBTQ+ community does not believe that religion is affirming of the community, whereas large groups of the religious community view the LGBTQ+ community as wrong or bad. In my thesis, I examined the different coping mechanisms used by individuals affected by a specific form of cognitive dissonance, specifically, people who participate in religion while simultaneously being a member of the LGBTQ+ community. I used a qualitative and quantitative approach by combining an interview followed by a self-report survey with a variety of well-being measures. These measures indicated the overall effectiveness of the different coping mechanisms. As my experimentation window is coming to close, I am starting to identify some very interesting conclusions. Specifically, regarding the individuals that are in the LGBTQ+ community and have left religion.