Religious services
Religious services were not included in the 2013 Bi+ Survey, so it is not possible to compare previous data. When asked about being comfortable sharing their sexual orientation in religious spaces, 58% of those who used religious services said that they never felt comfortable doing so. This is especially troubling given that, for some people, religion is linked to their home and family life:
“I don’t feel fully accepted in my current denomination, but I also feel I cannot leave it. It is my culture.”
“I was raised Catholic. In my church I cannot come out. I am not out to my family. Sometimes there is progress […], but then I see there is so much phobia disguised as love.”
Some respondents commented that they had been the subject of discrimination in religious settings in the past, and this pushed them away from religion altogether:
“I did tell the people at the church when I used to go as a teenager and they told me I was ‘sexually deviant’ so I didn’t go back.”
“I was brought up Roman Catholic in the 90s under section 28. It wasn’t allowed to be talked about.”
“It was never safe to be anything but ‘straight’ when I was in a religion. The religion I was brought up in referred to queer people as ‘worthy of death’ and ‘disgusting’.”
Religion can be an important part of people’s identities. Unfortunately, many bi+ people have difficulty reconciling their religious and sexual identities, and are sometimes forced to leave a community, if not their religion altogether. Doing so can further alienate people from their family, friends, and the community they live in, as well as forcing a “choice” between their family/religious community and the LGBT+/bi+ community.
Many of these comments reflect bi+ people being at high risk of experiencing conversion practices in their communities. Work towards legislation on conversion practices and support services for survivors and those at risk continues at Scottish Government level and is essential to ensuring the safety of bi+ people.
However, it is important to acknowledge that many religious organisations are inclusive of LGBT+ people or have made changes to become more inclusive. Pagan societies were cited by five respondents as examples of this, along with other faiths:
“My church, the Unitarians, is exceptionally pro-LGBTQ+ and has multiple queer faith leaders. It is not only a safe space but actively reinforces it.”
“I am a Quaker, as far as I know there is no discrimination within this religious group.”
“I once attended a religious event at a different denomination church that addressed LGBT community in a positive way. It was incredibly affirming.”
“My church family [are] very supportive, and tolerant.”
We strongly recommend that religious organisations and groups who are welcoming to the LGBT+ community make themselves visible to the community as often and as clearly as possible. The bi+ community especially is often excluded or missed when it comes to LGBT+ inclusion, so having spaces where bi+ inclusion is specifically mentioned will reassure the community that they will be included, believed, and accepted.
