Religion and queerness in contemporary Georgia: LGBTQIA+ individuals negotiate their faith

Abstract

<p>Queerness and religiosity are important and relevant issues in Georgia today. The largest religious organization, the Georgian Orthodox Church, not only plays a decisive role in the legal status of the LGBTQ+ community in Georgia but also significantly shapes public opinion towards the LGBTQ+ community, activism, and individuals. This study delves into the interplay between religion and queerness in contem porary Georgia. It sheds light on the unique ways LGBTQIA+ individuals navigate their faith in the context of religious constraints. The study’s findings, derived from a robust methodology of 34 in-depth interviews conducted with LGBT QIA+ individuals over three months, offer valuable insights into the agency of LGBTQIA+ religiosity, enriching our understanding of this complex intersection. The study extends the discussion to the intersections of gender, sexuality, and religiosity and analyzes how these dimensions shape the religious experiences of the participants. It particularly highlights the strategies LGBTQIA+ believers use to reconcile their spiritual and queer identities, such as reinterpreting faith on an individual level or practicing spirituality without institutional affiliation. The resilience and adaptability of the community are significant aspects of the study.</p>