Heaven Bent: Australian lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and intersex experiences of faith, religion and spirituality

Abstract

Heaven Bent brings together academics, religious leaders, activists, politicians, theologians and everyday people engaged in spiritual lives. This book examines the past, present and future of religion/spirituality and LGBTIQ people and has been written by people on very different spiritual journeys. We have put together a collection of Australian stories that will hopefully enlighten the religious and non-religious, the spiritual and the atheist, the LGBTIQ and the straight people who desire to join us on our journeys. It covers topics including 'Young People', 'Multiple Layers of Prejudice', 'Reparative Therapies & Ex-Gay Movements', 'Minority Religions' and 'Positive Futures of Change'. We explore a diverse range of spiritual expressions, from Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Christian journeys, to Islamic, Jewish, Buddhist, Pagan and Atheist experiences. As you read each piece, we invite you to join the writer on their journey, navigating life, religion, spirituality, sexuality, gender identity and the profane. The major part of this book is framed as 'Australian stories' aimed at a broad interested readership. We have also included at the end of the book an Addendum of more academic writing and in-depth research drawn from Australia and overseas to provide some alternative analytical 'workpoints'.