Religion: The Queer Experience

By Jacqueline Shaw

On March 19 in the Samuelson Chapel Lounge, the Religion Department hosted an event for queer folx at Cal Lutheran to discuss their experiences with religion. 

After a brief introductory talk on queerness and its relationship with religion from Dr. Peter Carlson, participants shared their own experiences in religious communities and how it has affected their self-perception and their struggles to come to terms with their queer identity. 

“Queer people of faith live in a state of tension because those two identities are not always comfortable with each other,” says Dr. Carlson. “This is because so many queer people have experienced spiritual violence from their communities of faith.”

The department was honored to provide a safe space where students were able to share their experiences and perspectives. There were many fruitful and thought-provoking conversations about how to be true to who you are in a world where queerness is met with hostility. 

We’d also like to thank Dr. Carlson and Rev. Dr. Colleen Windham-Hughes for contributing their unique perspectives and helping to create a welcoming space for queer folx on campus!

Thank you to everyone who attended our last event of this academic year. We look forward to seeing you all in the Fall!