Reconciling our religion or spirituality and sexuality can be a difficult dance for many of us. We all expect and accept different things for ourselves based upon our upbringing, culture, personality, and other factors. I believe that we are each the expert of our own experience. Counseling can provide a safe and nonjudgmental space to explore and make meaning from our deeply personal experiences such as sexuality and spiritual identity. What you talk about in counseling is confidential and up to you; however, you need not come into counseling to begin exploring your experience.
Much has been written about the important subject of faith and sexuality lately, including God Believes in Love: Straight Talk About Gay Marriage, a book hot off the presses by Episcopal bishop Gene Robinson (check out this recent interview with the author on NPR), and "Overcoming the schism between spiritual identity and sexual orientation," a recent article from The American Counseling Association's monthly magazine, Counseling Today. Talking with someone you trust and feel safe with can be immensely powerful, as well. Just know that you can go at your own pace.
People are complex. May we each come to the understanding that is right for us and allow others to come to their own understanding on their own time, as well.
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