Sexual minorities (SMs) in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) experience a number of unique risks related to their religious/spiritual and SM experience that may increase their likelihood of experiencing suicidal ideation (SI) and ultimately dying by suicide. However, it is unclear which aspects of these experiences are responsible for elevated SI. It is further unclear whether religiousness/ spirituality and minority stress relate to SI similarly for active and nonactive/former LDS SMs. To address this gap, we examined data from 602 active and nonactive/former LDS SMs. Active and nonactive LDS SMs reported similar degrees of SI and minority stress but differing degrees of religiousness/spirituality with active LDS SMs reporting more religiousness/spirituality than nonactive/former LDS SMs. Several variables were associated with increased SI in both groups including positive religious coping, interpersonal religious struggles, internalized homonegativity, and concealment. Other variables were associated with decreased SI in both groups including resolving conflict between sexual and religious identities, family support, and friend support. Our results suggest that whether LDS SMs are active in their faith is an important factor to consider when understanding how religiousness/spirituality and minority stress relate to SI.

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Like other teens in conservative religious environments, LGBTQ+ teens raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‐day Saints (CJCLDS) likely experience unique microaggressions. Furthermore, like other conservatively religious parents of LGBTQ+ teens, active Latter‐day Saint (LDS) parents who openly support their LGBTQ+ teens likely both witness microaggressions toward their teens and may personally experience microaggressions. The present study sought to understand parents' and teens' experiences of microaggressions in conservative religious contexts by focusing specifically on the microaggressions experienced by (a) LGBTQ+ teens raised in the CJCLDS and (b) their active LDS parents. Thematic analysis of separate interviews with 19 dyads of LGBTQ+ teens and their active LDS parents (38 total interviews) revealed various ways in which they experienced verbal, nonverbal, and environmental microaggressions. We highlight parents' and teens' shared experiences of microaggressions that may be uniquely related to their religious contexts, such as assumptions that LGBTQ+ teens or their parents are not faithful and exclusionary Church policies. Additionally, we identified microaggressions that specifically targeted parents of LGBTQ+ teens, such as comments suggesting parents should limit their support for their teens. Finally, we found that parents had vicarious experiences with microaggressions through witnessing or learning about microaggressions that targeted their teens. Findings highlight the ways that the religious contexts in which microaggressions occur can influence the way that microaggressions are communicated to and experienced by LGBTQ+ teens – and their parents.

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This study explored common challenges and benefits reported by sexual minority people (SMP) in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (CJCLDS). A sample of 438 SMP members of the CJCLDS responded to a qualitative survey that asked participants to identify the challenges and benefits of identifying as SMPs in their faith. Participants reported several common challenges to identifying as an SMP in the CJCLDS, including lack of belongingness, identity conflict/confusion, distal stressors, proximal stressors, religious/spiritual struggles, mental health problems, and sexuality struggles. Participants reported several common benefits including increased empathy or compassion, a sense of belonging and happiness, religious/spiritual improvements, and perspective/personal growth. The results suggest that some SMP members of the CJCLDS experience more religious and sexuality struggles as well as a lack of belongingness due to their intersecting identities, whereas others seem to benefit from their religious involvement and find a sense of belongingness. Therapists who work with SMPs in the CJCLDS, and potentially other SMPs in nonaffirming religions, should be aware of both the challenges and benefits reported by SMPs to help clients most effectively navigate difficulties arising from their intersecting identities. Public Significance StatementThis study suggests that Latter-day Saints (LDS) sexual minority people (SMPs) commonly experience both challenges and benefits as a result of their identities, although challenges are more common. Understanding the specific challenges and benefits most commonly reported by this population can contribute to understanding such individuals and assisting mental health professionals working with LDS SMPs and SMPs in nonaffirming religions more broadly.