Evidence for Hope?: Mississippi Christians’ Views Toward Gay and Lesbian Equality Post Obergefell v. Hodges
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2021
Publication Title
Sexuality Research and Social Policy
DOI
10.1007/s13178-021-00562-1
ISSN
1553-6610
Abstract
Introduction
Despite the legalization of same-sex marriage, gay and lesbian people still lack full rights and equality in the USA. People in the USA who adhere to conservative religion and politics continue to create obstacles to full equality for gay and lesbian citizens.
Methods
Through semi-structured, qualitative interviews, I provide an exploratory look at the shifting views toward gay and lesbian equality by highlighting the stories of six Mississippi Christians’ over a 6-year period.
Results
Overall, the six Mississippi Christians who agreed to participate in a follow-up interview in 2019 all became more accepting of gay and lesbian people and more open to gay and lesbian equality in the USA to various degrees.
Conclusions
Continued social contact with gay and lesbian people, along with policy changes in the USA, led to more acceptance of gay and lesbian Americans by southern Christians.
Policy Implications
Striving to bring conservative Christians along on this journey toward more acceptance and support of gay and lesbian equality is not a futile effort. Christians who are “on-the-fence” are slowly progressing toward more acceptance. While religion may serve as a negative feature that deters the positive benefits of social contact, knowing someone who identifies as gay or lesbian remains a vital component of bringing more moderate Christians to acceptance of gay and lesbian people and rights.
Recommended Citation
Rogers, Baker A..
2021.
"Evidence for Hope?: Mississippi Christians’ Views Toward Gay and Lesbian Equality Post Obergefell v. Hodges."
Sexuality Research and Social Policy: Springer.
doi: 10.1007/s13178-021-00562-1 source: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13178-021-00562-1
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/soc-anth-facpubs/168
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Comments
Springer:
Copyright belongs to Springer. Information regarding the dissemination and usage of journal articles can be accessed through the following links.
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