By Ricarte’s sophomore year of high school, catechism classes play second fiddle to her interest in someone of the same sex. She realizes she is a homosexual. Suddenly, the faith she has dedicated much of her life to do not welcome her because she loves someone of the same gender.
One of the most popular teachings of the Bible, to “love one another”, is the basis of many debates of Christian sects. Groups would argue that Jesus does not specify whether to love one of the same sex or if it is acceptable to love one of the opposite.
It was this kind of conflict that made Ricarte feel uncomfortable in Christianity and is common for many homosexuals that belong to queer-phobic communities. Ricarte is now atheist, rejecting her Catholic morals and the institution of religion altogether.
“Coming out made me feel like less of a person and that I was not worthy of [God’s] Kingdom anymore,” Ricarte said. “I just don’t want to be around a bunch of hypocrites.”
According to a 2001 Kaiser Family Foundation study, 73 percent of the general public in America knows someone who is gay, lesbian, or bisexual, a percentage up 11 percent from the previous year. Although most Americans are acquainted gays and lesbians, the same study shows that they are believed to be the group most discriminated against followed by African-Americans. Broken down by religion, 60 percent of evangelical Christians oppose homosexuality whereas only 11 percent with no religious affiliations are against it. Since homosexuality is not accepted in many communities, gays and lesbians leave.
Lori Slicton teaches anthropology courses at Skyline, including one called Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion. Slicton believes that people do not stray from their religions but religions stray from people.
“It makes you wonder how relevant is the institution of church to people’s lives,” Slicton said. “If someone feels unwelcome and feels bad about his or herself, then why stay?”
Allison Laureano was forced to ask that very question. Laureano grew up as a biological male in a strict, Filipino-Catholic home but always identified herself as female. She is currently an Outreach Co-Chairperson of Transgender San Francisco, a program that strives to provide accurate information about the transgender community, both to its members and to the world at large.
Laureano first left her Catholic upbringing altogether when her immediate family did not approve of her gender identity but decided to only disregard the rigidities of the Church when her devout Catholic uncle accepted her for who she is.
Laureano believes that it is the unyielding structure of religions that drives followers away. When people are given a set of rules on how to embrace their spirituality, they feel bad about themselves when their lifestyles may be considered sinful.
“I now refer to myself as a ‘supermarket Catholic’,” Laureano said playfully.
By this, Laureano maintains her spirituality by preserving her faith in Catholic morals but disregards any practices that involve the institution of church.
While mainstream media bombards the general public with political and social conflicts among religious sects, morality, and homosexuality, Carlos Colombetti, Skyline philosophy instructor and Gay-Straight Alliance adviser, suggests that distancing oneself from religion because of sexuality may not be as common as some think. As the Gay-Straight Alliance adviser, Colombetti noticed that many members of the club are content with their religion and have no plans to change.
Both Slicton and Colombetti suggest factors such as demographics may influence a homosexual’s acceptance in a church community. For example, churches in a conservative neighborhood may not accept the concept of homosexuality as easily as a church on San Francisco’s Castro St. Relationships with one’s family also play a role in a homosexual’s decision to stay in a religion.
April Santiago, a bisexual Skyline student, is still faithful to her Catholic roots even though she faced adversities in coming out.
“My best friend said people go to hell for the things I do and that God doesn’t like it and thinks it’s a sin,” said Santiago. “Religion is important to my family and has become a part of my life. My family’s attitude hasn’t really changed so I’m comfortable with my religion.”
According to Colombetti, the concept of sin in religions is what drives people away from religions but at the same time keeps it intact through intimidation.
“If that’s the case, then maybe we should ask ourselves if sin is really in loving someone of the same gender,” Colombetti said. “Maybe sin is really located elsewhere.”
