For the Love of God

Themes from Interviews Regarding Religious Students’ Beliefs on LGBTQ+ Issues

Authors

  • Katrina Raynes BPhil Graduate

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/pur.2025.140

Keywords:

Religion, Religious Studies, Gender Studies, Sexuality

Abstract

The following essay is a segment of a larger BPhil defense centered around 15 interviews conducted with college students who self-identified as religious, all of whom were either Christian, Muslim, or Jewish. The participants were asked a series of questions in one-on-one interviews with a researcher, delving into their religious practices, backgrounds, and beliefs, alongside questions on political identity specifically focused on perceptions of LGBTQ+ people and issues. Given the recent political discussions centered around LGBTQ+ identities and religious ideals, this paper seeks to highlight the perspectives of young people who are a part of religious communities. The scope is set to the University of Pittsburgh’s student body, and themes of these interviews include hope for greater inclusion, nonjudgement as a guiding principle of faith, and the idea of community as a tool for both religious and LGBTQ+ people.

Author Biography

Katrina Raynes, BPhil Graduate

Tri Raynes received their BPhil in Gender Sexuality and Women’s Studies from the University of Pittsburgh in 2024. Tri Raynes currently serves as an AmeriCorps member with ambitions of applying to law school in this current cycle.

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Published

2025-11-03

How to Cite

Raynes, K. (2025). For the Love of God: Themes from Interviews Regarding Religious Students’ Beliefs on LGBTQ+ Issues. Pittsburgh Undergraduate Review, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.5195/pur.2025.140

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): Pittsburgh Undergraduate Review

Section

Research

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Katrina Raynes

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