Faithful Allies: The Experiences of LGB-Affirming Christian Clergy

196 Pages·2017·2.18 MB·English

Seton Hall University
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Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses
Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses
(ETDs)
2011
Faithful Allies: The Experiences of LGB-Affirming
Christian Clergy
J.Jane H. Dewey
Seton Hall University
Follow this and additional works at:https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations
Part of theClinical Psychology Commons,Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies
Commons, and theSocial Psychology Commons
Recommended Citation
Dewey, J.Jane H., "Faithful Allies: The Experiences of LGB-Affirming Christian Clergy" (2011).Seton Hall University Dissertations and
Theses (ETDs). 35.
https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/35
Faithful Allies: The Experiences of LGB-affirming Christian Clergy
BY
J. Jane H. Dewey
Dissertation Committee
Lewis Z. Schlosser, Ph.D., ABPP, Mentor
Cheryl Thompson-Sard, Ph.D
Ben K. Beitin, Ph.D., Chair
Margaret J. Farrelly, Ph.D.
W. King Mott, Ph.D., Outside Reader
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology
Seton Hall University
SETON HALL UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES
APPROVAL FOR SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE
Doctoral Candidate, Jane H. Dewey, has successfully defended and made the required
modifications to the text of the doctoral dissertation for the Ph.D. during this Spring
Semester 2011.
N COMMITTEE
beside your name)
Mentor: ---
31 1/11
Dr. Lewis Schlosser
Committee Member:
P &A I/////
Dr. Cheryl Thompson-Sard / L.
0
Committee Member:
Dr. Ben Beitin
Committee Member:
Dr. Margaret Farrelly
External Reader:
Dr. W. King Mott -
w
The mentor and any other committee members who wish to review revisions will sign
and date this document only when revisions have been completed. Please return this
form to the Office of Graduate Studies, where it will be placed in the candidate's file and
submit a copy with your final dissertation to be bound as page number two.
O Copyright by Julia Jane Hart Dewey
All Rights Reserved
This work is dedicated to clergy-allies across religious traditions (including my father.
Rev. Dennis Dewey and grandfather, Rev. Keith Dewey) who have taken risks to create
safe spiritual space for our gay, lesbian and bisexual brothers and sisters.
I am indebted to my mentor Dr. Lewis Schlosser whose support was unshakeable and
guidance invaluable from beginning to end. I am so thankful for the love and support of
my incredible parents, Susan and Dennis, who taught me to live with open eyes and an
open heart. I am much indebted to my partner (and soon to be husband), Alan, who
coached and kept me laughing every step of the way. Finally, I am eternally grateful to
my grandmothers (Flo Dewey and Shirley Hart), two of the wisest women I have known,
and grandfathers (Keith Dewey and Jim Hart) for their loving presence in my life.
Faithful Allies: The Experiences of LGB-affirming Christian Clergy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
. .
List of Tables .......................................................................................v..i ~
Chapter I: Introduction
Researching Sexual Minority Issues ................................................................2
Religion, Culture and Homosexuality ..............................................................3
Background of Proposed Study ......................................................................6
Statement of the Problem and Significance of the Study ......................................9.
Application to the field of Counseling Psychology ............................................1. 2
Conclusions .........................................................................................-.1 2
Research Questions ................................................................................1.3
Definitions ........................................................................................... 13
Chapter 11: Literature Review
Intersection of Religion. Sexuality and Mental Health ..........................................1 8
Managing LGB and Christian Identities ........................................................- 20
Identity Management Strategies ........................................................2. 1
Affirming Faith Experiences .............................................................2 3
Intersection of Christianity, Hoinosexuality and Culture ......................................2 5
History of Christianity and Homosexuality .............................................2 5
Christianity and Homosexuality Today ................................................2. 9
Denominational Assumptions Regarding Homosexuality .................- 29
Denominational Positions Regarding LGB ordination and marriage .....- 36
Christian Privilege ................................................................4 3
Clergy Composition and Scope of Influence on LGB Issues .................................4 5
LGB Affirming Clergy ............................................................................4. 7
Chapter 111: Methodology
Overview of Methodology ........................................................................4. 9
Consensual Qualitative Research .........................................................4 9
Preserving Scientific Integrity ............................................................5 2
Owning One's Perspective ......................................................5 3
Situating the Sample .............................................................5. 3
Grounding Examples .............................................................5 4
Providing Credibility Checks ..................................................5. 4
Coherence ..........................................................................5 5
Accomplishing General vs. Specific Tasks ....................................5 5
Resonating with readers .........................................................5 6
Participants ........................................................................................5..6
Interviewees ...............................................................................S. G
Interviewers and Judges .................................................................S. 7
Inclusion Criteria ..........................................................................5.7
Recruitment ................................................................................S 8
Protection of Participants .................................................................6 0
Data Collection ............................................................................. 60
Measures ............................................................................................6. 1
Demographic Form and ATLG-S .......................................................6. 1
Interview Protocol .......................................................................-.6 2
Procedures ..........................................................................................6. 4
Team Dialogue about Biases and Expectations ........................................6 4
Consensual Qualitative Research Process ..............................................6 7
Coding of Domain ...............................................................6. 7
Coding of Core Ideas ...........................................................6..7
Cross-Analysis ......................................................................6 8
Chapter IV: Results
Personal Conceptualization of Being LGB Affirming ..........................................7 2
Factors and Contexts that Impacted the Development of an LGB Affirming Identity .....7 5
General Social Advocacy ..........................................................................8. 2
Understanding, Feeling and Opinions Regarding Denominational Position ................8 4
Conceptualization of Human Sexuality ..........................................................8 8
Costs Associated With Being LGB Affirming ............................. 9 6
Gains Associated With Being LGB Affirming ..................................................9 9
Manifestation of LGB Advocacy ...................................................................1.0 3
Purposeful Abstentions from Advocacy .......................................................1.0 8
Beliefs Concerning Spiritual Needs of LGB Parishioners ...................................1. 12
Handling Expressions of LGB Bias ............................................................1. 16
Impact of LGB Stance ..........................................................................1.2. 5
Perceived Factors Contributing to LGB Bias in Christianity and Society .................1 32
Attitudes Toward Lesbian and Gay Men Scale ................................................1 38
Chapter V: Discussion
Overview of Findings ............................................................................- 140
Agents of Change and Their Actions ..................................................1 40
Developing and Sustaining and Affirming Identity .................................1. 42
Perceptions Related to Sexual Orientation and Inclusion ..........................1. 45
Managing an Affirming Identity in a Non-affirming Denomination .............. 148
Summary and Conclusions ......................................................................1. 51
Limitations .....................................................................................................................1. 52
In~plicationsfo r Research and Practice .........................................................1 53
References ..........................................................................................1 57
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Recruitment Letter ...............................................................1.7 2
Appendix B: Formal Letter of Solicitation .....................................................1 74
Appendix C: Demographic Information Survey ................................................... 177
Appendix D: Interview Questions ............................................................... 179
Appendix E: Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men - Short ............................1 82
Appendix F: Informed Consent .................................................................1. 84
Faithful Allies: The Experiences of LGB-affirming Christian Clergy
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Assunlptions of Largest Denominations Regarding Homosexuality ............3 4
Table 2: Positions Statements on the Issue of LGB marriage ...............................3 9
Table 3: Position Statements on the Issue of Ordination ......................................4 1
Table 4: Frequencies by Domain, Category and Subcategory ..............................6 9
vii
Abstract
This study explores a subset of Christian clergy who are allies of the LGB
community and invested in creating changes in their churches, denominations and
comn~unitiesto ward the end of making them more affirming and inclusive. As leaders
within a faith community that has historically set up barriers to the LGB community,
these men and women are in a unique position to create change from within that may
have far-reaching implications. The findings provide detailed information about the
factors that fostered the development of their worldviews, the behavioral manifestation of
their advocacy, the conditions that have sustained their efforts and the practices they have
implemented in order to manage their potentially conflicting roles as clergy and allies.
Keywords: Clergy allies, LGB-affirming clergy, LGB advocacy