Faith and homosexuality: grace, religious problem-solving styles and the internalized homophobia of homosexuals

The current research examines the grace-orientation and problem-solving styles of gay and lesbian people of faith relative to their relationship with God and the extent, if any, of their internalized homonegativity. This issue was investigated using psychological measures involving a) the style of religious problem-solving, b) internalized homonegativity, c) feelings of shame and guilt and d) personal experiences of grace. Statistical analyses found that having less homonegativity toward oneself and the disclosure of homosexuality is associated with higher levels of experienced grace and lower feelings of shame and guilt. Collaborative and deferring religious problem-solving styles correlated positively with both experienced grace and awareness of grace. Additionally, personal feelings of guilt are significantly positively correlated with the awareness of grace. The lower feelings of shame, guilt, and internalized homonegativity suggest that an adaptive integration of sexuality and spirituality is positively correlated with experiences of grace