Yes Gawd! : how faith shapes LGBT identity and politics in the United States / Royal G. Cravens III.

How faith shapes Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trans identity and politics in the United States

"Systematically examines how religious development affects LGBT identity, political attitudes, and political behaviors in the United States"-- Provided by publisher.

"Yes Gawd! explores the effects of religious belief and practice on political behavior among the LGBT community, a population long persecuted by religious institutions and generally considered to be non-religious. Royal Cravens deftly shows how faith impacts the politics of LGBT people. He details how the queer community creates, defines, and experiences spirituality and spiritual affirmation as well as the consequences this has for their identity, socialization, and political development. Cravens also demonstrates the mobilizing power of faith for LGBT people by contrasting the effects of participation in faith and secular communities on political activism. He explores how factors such as coming out, race, and LGBT-affirming churches influence political attitudes and behavior and explains how the development of LGBT politico-religious activism provides opportunities for LGBT people to organize politically. Ultimately, Cravens provides a cohesive account of how religion acts as a catalyst for and facilitator in the political development of LGBT people in the United States. In the process, he shows that there is room for both religion in LGBT communities and LGBT people in religious communities." -- Publisher's description.

Philadelphia : Temple University Press, 2024.

229 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

An online supplemental appendix containing a methodological appendix, data files, and graphics is available through the Harvard Dataverse--Leaf after Table of contents.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Making Room for LGBT People in American Religion & Politics -- The LGBT Faithful in America -- Faith & Early LGBT Identity Development -- Faith & LGBT Identity Development After Coming Out -- "I cannot separate myself from either my religious beliefs or my sexual identity" : Faith in LGBT Culture and Politics -- "Faith Without Works is Hollow" : Religion, Resources, and Political Mobilization -- "My Politics are My Religious Beliefs" : Faith & Political Attitudes of LGBT People -- Conclusion: Yes Gawd! How Faith Shapes LGBT Politics.