Religious and Spiritual Values Conflicts in Queer Partnerships: Implications for Couples and Family Counselors

Authors

Thomas Killian, Marist College
Harvey C. Peters, The George Washington University
Lainey J. Brottem, University of Northern Colorado

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2019

Journal / Book Title

Family Journal

Abstract

In providing couples and family counseling to sexual/affectional and gender variant minorities (i.e., queer persons), couples and family counselors (CFCs) need to recognize that religious and spiritual identity can be salient topics. While many queer persons embrace an irreligious identity, some queer individuals embrace varied degrees of religious/spiritual identification. In a partnership, an intrarelational conflict could result when the partners do not adhere to a similar level of religiosity or spirituality. CFCs must be prepared to accept the possibility of such conflict, allow for the embrace of religious identification, and offer counseling practices that will bridge that relational gap.

DOI

10.1177/1066480719853012

Journal ISSN / Book ISBN

85067339030 (Scopus)

Montclair State University Digital Commons Citation

Killian, Thomas; Peters, Harvey C.; and Brottem, Lainey J., "Religious and Spiritual Values Conflicts in Queer Partnerships: Implications for Couples and Family Counselors" (2019). Department of Counseling Scholarship and Creative Works. 112.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/counseling-facpubs/112