Queer Spirituality: What You Should Know

Is it politically correct?  Is it woke?  Is there something to Queer Spirituality?  Well, yes!  And whether or not you understand yourself as a queer person, there’s something in queer spirituality that’s important for you.

The following is a text version of this posting.

Queer spirituality?  That probably seems like a very odd term.  Is it some kind of political correctness or does queer spirituality have substance?

The Oxford English Dictionary explains that the word “queer” refers to something out of the ordinary or different from the norm.  The term queer has come to be used as an umbrella term for people who experience their sexual orientation or gender identity as being outside of the norm, with the norm being a heterosexual, traditionally male and female expression.  What makes this important?

To be different from the norm means that people who describe themselves as queer are saying that they are outsiders.  This “outsider” perspective means that assumptions about the way things should be, the normative way, aren’t accepted at face value among queer people.  That’s because queer people have experienced themselves, their core identity, as being outside of the norms.  The norms just don’t fit who we know ourselves to be.

Think about this:  for most people to be able to identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual, transgender, or something outside of the heterosexual male/female roles, they’ve had to seriously consider who they are and what they are experiencing.  They’ve needed to question societal and family messages of who they should be to arrive at conclusions about their own identity.  It’s that process of questioning society’s assumptions and considering what’s true for oneself that’s at the heart of being queer.  Yes, other people ask similar questions.  But, in general, queer people have to engage in asking questions about societal norms because of who they are as people outside of those norms.

By affirming a queer identity, based on a process of questioning social norms and comparing those norms to who one is most deeply, there are implications for every dimension of life including spirituality.  When I think of queer spirituality, I find three relevant aspects. 

The first is that because queer folks have experienced social marginalization as well as direct prejudice from religious groups, queer people in general approach spirituality as wounded people.  Whether it’s happened directly to us as individuals or not, we know that many religious people are not safe for us and will be hurtful.  Because of this, queer folks don’t approach spirituality or religion uncritically.  There’s a heightened sensitivity to hypocrisy and a tendency to question things that others may overlook.  In essence, we look to see if what we encounter is what it appears to be.

Secondly, queer people look for spirituality to make a positive difference in our lives.  While religion and spirituality are viewed with caution, there is also the desire or hope to experience something that will be healing or bring a greater sense of wholeness to our lives.  In other words, even when spirituality is expressed through traditional religion, the focus generally isn’t on beliefs or dogma but on a path forward toward healing and wholeness.

Thirdly, whether a queer person becomes part of a group, or organization, or charts a personal spiritual path, once a person is on the path, there is a sense of gratitude and joy – and sometimes a playfulness – about the freedom to explore one’s inner spirit.  It’s in this way that spirituality can be very healing and lead to greater wholeness.

I think that all people interested in spirituality and the spiritual dimension of life can learn from the ways queer people approach spirituality and religion.  Question the authenticity of spiritual teachers and purported spiritual paths.  Look for avenues that enhance life rather than diminish it.  And find healing, happiness, joy, and yes, playfulness rooted in your spiritual path.