LGBTQ+ people’s religious and spiritual experiences in the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Personal religion and spirituality can be sources of strength during a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing from a larger study of LGBTQ+ wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic, this article reports on the faith and spirituality of LGBTQ+ adults in the United States. Nearly 700 diverse LGBTQ+ individuals were recruited via Qualtrics Panel. Analysis showed that those who prayed more and who were religious or spiritual prior to the pandemic were more likely to rely on their religion or spirituality to understand and cope with the pandemic. This study has implications for social workers, helping professionals, and faith leaders, including avoiding assumptions, utilizing a person-centered approach, and being familiar with community resources.