Synopsis

The recent agitation of lesbians, gays, and other sexual minorities for political recognition has provoked a heated response among religious activists, many of whom fear that moral decay is a necessary accompaniment to the public recognition of sexual diversity. In this remarkable comparative study, expert authors explore the tenacity of anti-gay sentiment, as well as the dramatic shifts in public attitudes towards gay and lesbian groups across all faith communities in both the United States and Canada. They conclude that, despite the ongoing conflict, religious adherence does not invariably entail opposition to the political acknowledgment of gay and lesbian rights.

Staying true to their academic roots, Dr. Jones and Mr. Cox contributed a chapter to a new edited volume, tackling the issue of African-American Protestants and legal rights for gay and lesbian couples.  While same-sex marriage ranks low as a voting issue for African-American Protestants, a substantial majority also oppose the legalization of same-sex marriage.  They note that issues concerning gay and lesbian equality spark theological tensions within black churches, which may determine how individual congregations address these questions in the long run.

Citation

Robert P. Jones and Daniel Cox, “Liberal, with ‘Conservative Vibrations’: African American Protestants and the Struggle Over Legal Rights for Gay and Lesbian Couples” in Clyde Wilcox and David Rayside, eds., Faith, Politics, and Sexual Diversity in Canada and the United States (University of British Columbia Press, April 30, 2011).