The Relationship between Religious Identity and Ally Identity/Expression within Affirming Contexts

ABSTRACT

We set out to understand how identifying within affirming religious contexts can impact one’s allyship toward LGBTQ+ communities. Using a sample of 315 people, we conducted a multiple regression analysis with an interaction effect to determine if religiosity moderated the relationship between ally identity and ally expression. We found that religious identity moderates the relationship between ally identity and ally expression. Specifically, those high in ally identity and religious identity report more ally expression than those high in ally identity but low in religious identity. Our findings inform implications for facilitating LGBTQ+ allyship within counselor preparation and practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Ally expression
• ally identity
• LGBTQ+
• religious identity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Thomas Killian

Thomas Killian (he/him/his), Ph.D., serves as an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling at Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey. With extensive experience as a licensed counselor and supervisor, Dr. Killian has gained valuable expertise in various settings, including university counseling and psychological services, a university athletic department, and a residential facility. His research interests span a broad spectrum, encompassing topics such as multicultural and social justice competency, community-engaged research and evaluation, and queer issues in counseling.

Harvey Peters

Harvey Peters (he/him/his), Ph.D., is an assistant professor at The George Washington University in the Department of Counseling and Human Development. His interdisciplinary research involves the expansion of cultural responsivity, social justice, and anti-oppression within counseling, counselor education, and qualitative methodology.

Michael Floren

Michael Floren (he/him/his), Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Data Analytics at the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama. Dr. Floren engages in applied research in fields such as psychology, education, public health, medicine, and business, where he primarily focuses on implementing sound research design, conducting meaningful analysis, and providing contextually valid interpretations

Emma Fredrick

Emma Fredrick (they/them), Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. Their research lies at the intersection of social and health psychology, exploring stigma, health disparities, and health care in sexual and gender minority communities.