Gender, Sexuality, and Religion: A Critical Integrative Review and Agenda for Future Research

Abstract

This article sets forth a critical integrative review of the study of gender, sexuality, and religion. Treating religion as a cause, an effect, and an intermediary factor in relation to gender and sexuality, it draws on and synthesizes multiple theoretical approaches including gender and queer lenses on religion, cultural analysis, and intersectionality. The article is structured around ten big-picture questions about gender, sexuality, and religion and argues that gender and sexuality are a key symbolic boundary and cultural divide in religious and political life in the United States and around the world. It concludes with an agenda for future research.

Swapping Gender Traditionalism: Christianity, Buddhism, and Gender Ideology in South Korea

“…Most previous literatures on gender ideology and religion, however, have studied on Western societies where Christianity is a dominant religion, despite recent studies that have examined non-Christian religions and/or non-Western societies (Avishai, Jafar, and Rinaldo 2015;Schnabel et al 2022). Importantly, these studies highlight the importance of religious practitioners' agency in shaping their own understanding of gender against existing hierarchical gendered relations (Di 2021;Mahmood 2011;Rinaldo 2008Rinaldo , 2014.…”

“…Although previous research has provided a nuanced understanding of religion and gender attitudes, many of these studies have studied Western Christian societies and few other cultural settings have been considered (Avishai, Jafar, and Rinaldo 2015; Schnabel et al. 2022). Depending on the cultural context, however, the notion of gender traditionalism may differ, rendering the use of separate spheres as the only metric of gender ideology inappropriate.…”

Empowering Students via Autoethnography Assignment: Fostering Inclusive Communities for Gender and Sexuality in Social Inequality Class

“…We need to note that topics like gender and sexuality with religion have been entangled in America since the 20th century. Religion has played a significant role in controlling and shaping decision-making initiatives, particularly in sensitive social and political contexts that impact our daily lives (Schnabel et al, 2022). Whether in a public or private setting, systems referencing religion have wielded Soyer, M. significant influence over the LGBTQ+ community in Turkey, resulting in tangible effects on their daily lives (Muedini 2020;Sansal, 2020).…”