Denise L. Levy

Resolving Identity Conflict: Gay, Lesbian, and Queer Individuals with a Christian Upbringing

Gay, lesbian, and queer individuals with a Christian upbringing often experience conflict between religion and sexual identity. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to understand how gay, lesbian, and queer-identified individuals with a Christian upbringing resolve conflict between sexual identity and religious beliefs. Analysis of in-depth interviews with 15 participants led to 3 conclusions. First, resolving the discord between sexual identity and religious beliefs is a five-stage process of internal conflict resolution. Second, personal and contextual factors affect every aspect of the resolution process. Finally, faith development and sexual identity development are intertwined and fluid constructions.

The Importance of Personal and Contextual Factors in Resolving Conflict Between Sexual Identity and Christian Upbringing

ABSTRACT This study explores how gay, lesbian, and queer (GLQ) individuals who are raised in Christian families resolve conflict between their sexual identity and religious beliefs. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 GLQ participants who revealed a five-stage process by which they resolved conflict between sexual identity and religious beliefs. Analysis of interview transcripts delineated core categories of personal factors (reflective abilities, strength and resiliency, anger, creativity, and humor) and contextual factors (family, community, church) that affected each of the five stages. In addition to providing details about the core categories of personal and contextual factors, this article will also address implications for social workers serving GLQ clients with a Christian upbringing. Recommendations for future research include the development of evidence-based interventions designed to enhance these personal and contextual factors.

Gay and Lesbian Identity Development: An Overview for Social Workers

Social work literature on the topic of gay and lesbian identity development is sparse. Although some texts do include sections on social work practice with gay and lesbian individuals, rarely is this information presented within the broader context of the history of sexuality and contemporary gay and lesbian theory. Practitioners, students, and researchers often have to look outside the field to find resources on this topic. In an effort to advance social work literature, this article provides a comprehensive description of gay and lesbian identity development and recommendations for advancing the literature.

When love meets hate: The relationship between state policies on gay and lesbian rights and hate crime incidence

Do public policies on gay and lesbian rights affect the incidence of hate crimes based on sexual orientation? We propose that legal inequalities increase hate crimes because they provide discursive opportunities for bias, discrimination, and violence. Legal equality, however, will reduce violence. Using annual panel data from 2000 to 2012, a period of substantial policy change, we analyze how three state policies affect reported hate crimes: same-sex partnerships, employment non-discrimination, and hate crime laws. Hate crime and employment non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation reduce hate crime incidence. Partnership recognition increases reported hate crimes, though it may not increase actual crime incidence. Because incidence is spatially correlated, policy changes in one state yield spillover benefits in other states. These results provide some of the first quantitative evidence that public policies affect hate crimes based on sexual orientation. Findings confirm the roles of institutional heterosexism and discursive opportunities in producing hate crimes.

On the Outside Looking In? The Experience of Being a Straight, Cisgender Qualitative Researcher

Research with disenfranchised and marginalized populations is often completed by those traditionally considered outsiders who are not part of the studied population. The history of outsider research has been somewhat tumultuous, and some outsider researchers have manipulated participants or carried out unethical studies. However, the insider/outsider dichotomy is overly simplistic and does not always accurately reflect the researcher position. Using lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals as an example, this article will review the literature on insider/outsider researchers, suggest a more fluid concept of researcher positionality, and identify several recommendations for qualitative researchers.

Preparing Students for Research and for Work with the Transgender Population: Exploring the Results of an Innovative Course Pairing

In an effort to provide opportunities for social work students to develop competencies for research and for working with transgender individuals, the authors paired content in two separate undergraduate courses: cultural competence and research methods. A qualitative research study was designed to assess the impact of this curricular approach. Following completion of the two courses, students participated in focus groups to discuss their experiences and what they learned through the unique course pairing. Analysis of the focus group transcripts revealed that students developed new understanding and knowledge related to research, the transgender population, attitudes about this population, and how to advocate for this population.

Sexual Identity, Gender Identity, and a Christian Upbringing Comparing Two Studies

This article compares the results of two qualitative studies, the first examining conflict between sexual identity and a Christian upbringing and the second examining conflict between gender identity and a Christian upbringing. After briefly reviewing the theoretical frameworks, methodology, and results of these two studies, similarities and differences will be discussed. Finally, this article will offer implications for theory and practice as well as recommendations for future research.

Spirituality, Religion, and Faith in Psychotherapy: Evidence-Based Expressive Methods for Mind, Brain, and Body, by H. Land: (2015). Chicago, IL: Lyceum Books, 470 pp.,

Health and mental health settings are embracing the use of expressive arts therapies as evidence-based, holistic treatment methods. Simultaneously, social workers, counselors, and clinicians are incorporating culturally and spiritually competent assessments and interventions in their work with people of faith. In her groundbreaking new book, Helen Land brings these topics together. Spirituality, Religion, and Faith in Psychotherapy: Evidence-Based Expressive Methods for Mind, Brain, and Body describes the use of various expressive therapies to address mental health needs related to spirituality, religion, and faith. The book begins with a discussion of the impact of globalization on psychotherapy, highlighting the need for spiritually sensitive clinicians. Although this need is increasing, some therapists have been reluctant to address religion, spirituality, and faith with their clients due in part to their lack of knowledge and skills. Land’s book addresses this knowledge gap and offers information about expressive methods to utilize for religious, spiritual, and faith issues in therapy. In Chapter 1, Land explains that expressive methods are well suited to treat issues in clients’ sacred lives because they utilize all of the senses, allow for communication outside of the bounds of language, assist with meaning making, and promote connections. These connections may be within the client, between the client and therapist, and between the client and his or her sacred or existential world. Chapter 1 ends with a brief outline of the book and description of each expressive method discussed in the book. In Chapter 2, Land defines what she calls the sacred triad of spirituality, religion, and faith. Religion is external to self, includes specific doctrines and rituals, and is associated with a group or community. Spirituality is part of the internal self, relates to an individual’s worldview, and has to do with a connection to something that is transcendent and provides meaning in life. Faith refers to a belief in an idea or something greater than oneself. Individuals may identify with none, some, or all of these terms, and they may define these terms very differently. Land explains that it is important for clinicians to assess each of these dimensions of the sacred triad in order to best