Why Is The Lgbtq Community As Dangerous And Deviant To Society?

Both right-wing Catholics and Christians have deemed the LGBTQ community as dangerous and deviant to society. Judith Butler explains the religious use of anti-gender ideology, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, and sexism in their justification of oppressing queer and trans people. Religion has been placed against the LGBTQ community in constraining their bodies, legal and social rights, and overall freedom to exist. Since religion plays a large role in societal and cultural norms and values, Latinxs perceive Catholicism as part of their cultural identity despite its rejection of the LGBTQ community. As a queer Mexican American, I often battled with accepting my sexuality while maintaining a relationship with God. As much as I wanted to fully

For instance, many Latinxs are raised Catholic throughout childhood and surrounded by Catholicism in many, if not all, aspects of their lives. Thus, it can be difficult to separate one’s gender or sexuality from their Catholic cultural identity. Jack Caravez describes the role religion plays in Latinxs' understanding of who they are individually and what it means to be Latinx. Catholicism in a sense informs Latinx of their identities in terms of ethnicity, race, gender, and values, and becomes the glue for maintaining these connections (Caravez, 211). Thus, to separate or leave behind Catholicism can cause tremendous feelings of loss in who one is as a person, in this world, community, and family. Despite the use of Catholicism to justify homophobia, transphobia, sexism, and discrimination, some Latinxs feel the pressure to continue participating in Catholic practices to maintain a sense of belonging and avoid being rejected by their families and

Some Latinxs may feel that their queer or trans identity is unable to coexist with their religious identity, as Catholicism carries particular expectations, norms, and behavior that go against or are contrary to the LGBTQ community (Lockett, 6). This can cause some Latinxs to feel like they cannot or are not allowed to identify as Catholic as it does not accept their queer or trans identity. Latinxs may choose to reject their faith as they understand their LGBTQ identity will always be met with ridicule and discrimination. However, not all Latinxs will completely disidentify as Catholic, rather, they will choose to reject and disidentify with traditional Catholicism by “refram[ing] previously held beliefs” and exploring other religions (Lockett, 6). Fear of losing a sense of belonging meant finding an alternative. Latinxs can still choose to identify as Catholic and reinterpret traditional and conservative beliefs and values that will support and align with their queer and/or trans