The Struggle Between Faith and Identity
For many LGBTQ+ individuals, the intersection of faith and identity is fraught with conflict. While religious teachings often emphasize love and acceptance, many mainstream institutions have historically condemned or excluded LGBTQ+ people. This contradiction fosters deep emotional turmoil, leaving many to struggle with feelings of shame, rejection, and spiritual dissonance. The result is often religious trauma—a form of psychological distress stemming from harmful religious teachings and environments that leave lasting emotional wounds.
Ann Russo, a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and founder of AMR Therapy, has dedicated her career to addressing this complex intersection. Raised in a queer household during a time of intense religious opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, she sought to understand why faith communities perpetuated exclusion. With an academic background in religious studies and theology, she has committed herself to “queering Christianity,” helping LGBTQ+ individuals reclaim their faith, heal from religious trauma, and embrace sex positivity without fear or shame. Through her work, she sheds light on the pain within the community and offers a path forward for those seeking both spiritual and personal liberation.
Understanding Religious Trauma in the LGBTQ+ Community
Religious trauma is a profound yet often overlooked issue that disproportionately affects LGBTQ+ individuals. Many grow up in faith communities that condemn their identities, instilling deep-seated shame, fear, and self-doubt. Non-affirming religious institutions often reinforce the belief that being LGBTQ+ is inherently wrong, forcing individuals to suppress their identity in order to maintain their faith and community ties. This internal struggle can lead to anxiety, depression, and a diminished sense of self-worth.
According to Ann, the symptoms of religious trauma often resemble those of PTSD. “There’ll be guilt and shame. Specific to religion would be fear of punishment from faith or divine retribution, identity confusion, relationship strain, and you’re going to be experiencing the anxiety, panic, nightmares, hypervigilance, self-doubt, depression, substance abuse.” This psychological toll is particularly severe in high-control religious environments, where strict dogma reinforces negative coping mechanisms and deepens the conflict between faith and identity.
Although affirming religious spaces are becoming more common, many LGBTQ+ individuals continue to struggle with the long-term effects of religious trauma, highlighting the need for healing, support, and self-acceptance.
Reconciling Faith and LGBTQ+ Identity
For many LGBTQ+ individuals, religious trauma creates a painful rift between faith and identity. Rigid doctrines and exclusionary teachings often force people to choose between their spirituality and their true selves. However, for those who wish to maintain a connection to their faith, reconciliation is possible.
Ann highlights the role of education in this process. “Oftentimes people haven’t even read the scriptures themselves, or [don’t] understand the context... but it’s been fed to them since birth that this is wrong, this is a sin. So, they don’t even think that it’s something to question.” Many struggle with inherited beliefs that have never been critically examined, making it essential to explore the origins and interpretations of religious teachings.
Christianity has historically been used to justify oppression, from slavery to the condemnation of LGBTQ+ identities. However, as Ann points out, the Bible is a collection of texts written across centuries, shaped by cultural and historical contexts. She encourages those seeking reconciliation to ask critical questions: Who wrote this passage? What was the cultural context? How has its meaning evolved through translation?
Beyond individual study, finding affirming faith communities can be crucial. “There are plenty of affirming Christian churches, groups, and people that are following the Bible too,” Russo affirms. With over 45,000 Christian denominations worldwide, interpretations vary widely, and some congregations embrace LGBTQ+ members while rejecting exclusionary teachings.
For those seeking to integrate their faith with their identity, the path forward involves unlearning harmful messages, finding affirming spaces, and embracing a spiritual framework rooted in love, inclusion, and self-acceptance.
Healing from Religious Trauma and Reclaiming Sexuality
Religious trauma often instills shame and guilt around identity and sexuality, particularly for LGBTQ+ individuals. These beliefs, reinforced from a young age, can be difficult to unravel. However, healing is possible through education, community support, and self-exploration.
Seeking professional guidance is an essential step. “I do think that it's a great idea to go to a therapist who's versed in this stuff. And if that's not something that you can find, I would suggest looking for even an online community of LGBTQ Christians or other folks that are going through similar experiences,” Ann advises. Finding support among those who have shared experiences provides validation and guidance in navigating faith and sexuality.
Religious condemnation of homosexuality often stems from cultural and political influences rather than explicit biblical teachings. Ann stresses the importance of understanding these origins, noting that much of what is preached about sexuality is based on human constructs rather than divine law.
Beyond religious guilt, Western Christianity often promotes purity culture, reinforcing the belief that sexuality is sinful unless tied to procreation. This messaging extends beyond LGBTQ+ individuals, shaping attitudes toward sex even within heterosexual relationships. Embracing sex positivity is a critical step in reclaiming personal identity and mental well-being.
“Sexuality is a natural part of being a human being. We are built to be sexual,” Ann states. “Now, I want to make it clear that I'm not dismissing people that are asexual because that's a sexuality as well. But basically, what you're asking me is, how do we accept how we're built? Unfortunately, it is work.”
Healing from religious trauma involves challenging long-held beliefs, seeking affirming spaces, and reframing sexuality as an intrinsic and natural part of identity.
Protecting Mental Health Amid Religious and Political Adversity
Religious trauma and systemic discrimination continue to affect the mental health of LGBTQ+ individuals, especially in the face of political hostility. The rise of so-called religious freedom laws and other policies targeting marginalized groups fosters uncertainty, fear, and emotional exhaustion.
Community support is essential in navigating these challenges. “We have to find the area in which we're passionate because right now, I think what is happening is that this administration is trying to confuse us by doing so many things at once that is like a psychological warfare on people that don't agree with this administration, and we become numb and complacent and just overwhelmed, right?” Ann explains. Rather than becoming consumed by every issue, focusing on one cause and working within a supportive group can be an effective way to create change while avoiding burnout.
Self-care is equally important. Ann acknowledges that the current political climate presents unprecedented challenges. “If you're overwhelmed, if you're having psychological warfare happening for yourself, it is okay, it is normal, it is natural,” she reassures. Maintaining a balance between staying informed and preserving mental health is crucial—limiting doomscrolling, engaging in relaxing activities, and leaning on community support can help alleviate stress and anxiety.
Queering Christianity and Reclaiming Faith
For many LGBTQ+ individuals, religious trauma stems from being told their identity is incompatible with faith. However, a deeper examination of religious texts challenges this notion, revealing that queerness has always existed within Christianity.
“There are queer people in Christianity. If you go into the Bible and study it, you'll see queer relationships. You'll see loving relationships between the same gender. And you'll see conversations even around gender identity, so look for those stories,” Ann explains. This aligns with queer theology, which falls under the broader movement of liberation theology—a framework emphasizing justice and freedom for marginalized communities.
Reclaiming faith from those who weaponize it against vulnerable groups is a radical act of resistance. “Who is Jesus? Jesus is the liberator of all liberators,” Ann asserts. “Jesus was a revolutionary, and we need to be revolutionaries too.”
Moving Forward with Faith and Identity
For those who wish to maintain a connection to their faith, it is essential to seek out affirming interpretations and inclusive communities that embrace individuals as they are. Education plays a key role not only in healing from religious trauma but also in challenging those who misuse faith as a tool for oppression. By deepening their understanding of scripture and theology, LGBTQ+ individuals can reclaim their place in religious spaces and, in doing so, help reshape the conversation around faith and identity.
Queer people have always existed within religious traditions, and their presence is undeniable. By reinterpreting faith through a lens of liberation and inclusion, they can forge a path forward—one that is not defined by shame, but by authenticity, resilience, and belonging.
And remember: every day is all we have, so you've got to make your own happiness.
For more information on this topic, listen to Episode 142. Heal from Religious Trauma (with Ann Russo).
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