The Nexus of Stigma and Social Policy: Implications for Pastoral Care and Psychotherapy with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Persons and Their Families

Dykstra (2006) explains the well weathered approach to homosexuality in the Christian community “love the sinner, hate the sin” may leave many gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people feeling unloved and alienated from a community of faith. As clergy and therapists grapple with personal ethics and institutional policy when working with individuals of differing sexual orientations, they may avoid speaking directly about sexuality and may perpetuate the factors which contribute to internalized homophobia. Psychotherapy and pastoral care by nature is political, as decisions are made about which behavior is adaptive or dysfunctional. This article presents an integrated conceptual framework for clergy and clinicians to understand the impact internalized homophobia has on GLBT clients and their families from a person-in-environment perspective.