The Triple-Facetted Stigma of LGBTQ+ Jehovah’s Witnesses
An excellent discussion of the challenges of LGBTQ+ Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW) came out of the Department of Sociology of the California State University of Chico, California in 2010. The authors of Inside & Outcast: Multifaceted Stigma & Redemption in the Lives of Gay & Lesbian Jehovah’s Witnesses¹, Janja Lalich Ph.D. and Karla McLaren, provide an analysis of a subset of gay and lesbian JWs who chronicled their process of sexual self-realization on various internet platforms. The authors explain how the challenges of sexual awakening and coming out can be particularly complex for those who have a strong connection to their identity with a religious culture that condemns homosexual behavior.
The Doctrine
While Christian religions tend to take varying theological approaches to harmonizing homosexuality and with traditional doctrine, The Watch Tower Society’s (WTS) stance is one of the more extreme. WTS literature often compares the plight of the homosexual JW to that of an unmarried heterosexual who must exercise self-control so as not to engage in sexual conduct that is outside the Biblically condoned use of sexual organs; vaginal penetration between a married husband and wife. (Masturbation is considered “mentally and emotionally defiling”². And oral and anal sex, even between a husband and wife, is considered “perverted”³).
According to Insight on the Scriptures, the quintessential research manual of Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals “change the natural use of themselves into one contrary to nature” (Romans 1:26, NWT). Arguing for the unnaturalness of homosexuality even before it was explicitly condemned in the Mosaic law in the Bible books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, Insight says:
“Even though no specific law had been given, such a practice was obviously contrary to the way of God the Creator, as the very structure of the male and female manifested. Man, having been originally made in God’s image, had intelligence sufficient to see these things. Hence, he was responsible before God if he went contrary to God’s way’ he was sinning, ‘missing the mark’ even without a specifically stated law to charge him with guilt” (italics my own) (Watch Tower, 2018)⁴
Based on the above, the LGBTQ+ Jehovah’s Witness is made to feel not only spiritually impure by reason of thoughts alone, but also unintelligent for not comprehending the “obvious” unnaturalness of their desires. As Lalich et al put it, “a homosexual Witness (including those who are questioning their sexuality) must suppress both sexual behavior and sexual feelings.” (Lalich et al, 2010).
Consider too the instructions provided for local congregation elders regarding disciplinary action for congregation members who view pornography. While not all types of pornographic content are deemed of equal depravity, instructions are provided to determine whether a publisher’s pornography use requires the formation of a judicial committee (a quorum of congregation elders who adjudicate upon member misconduct). In determining whether the pornography viewed should be considered “abhorrent” or not, Shepherd the Flock of God ⁵ states:
“Such abhorrent forms of pornography include homosexuality (sex between those of the same gender (…) It is equally wrong for a man or woman to watch two women engaged in homosexual activity as it is for a man or woman to watch two men engaged in homosexual activity.” (Watch Tower, 2012)
Despite the recent articles in Watchtower that attempt a more empathetic approach to the plight of JWs battling inner desires for romantic and sexual relationships with the same sex, the fact remains that the rhetoric and attitude of organizational leadership and the community at large frame homosexuality as a graver sin than other forms of heterosexual extramarital sexual expression.
Homosexuality is considered abhorrent.
The Struggle
Of course, Watch Tower literature is quick to give a solution to the homosexual’s struggle; prayer, Bible reading, meditation. A publication designed specifically for adolescents in the organization, Questions Young People Ask — Answers That Work, Volume 2 ⁶, offers this encouragement:
“Of course, some claim (…) that you should simply ‘embrace your sexuality’ and ‘accept who you are.’ But the Bible says that you can do better than that! It tells us, for example, that some early Christians who had formerly practiced homosexuality changed. (1 Corinthians 6:9–11) You too can win the battle — even if at this point it’s only being waged in your heart.” (Watchtower, 2012)
And so the homosexual Jehovah’s Witness goes about the private psychological task of forcibly denying the genuine sexual self. This quickly turns into compulsive thinking and behaviors. The process goes something like this: A homosexual thought arises in consciousness. A conditioned physiological fear response occurs with the realization that one has failed again to live up to God’s standards. Then comes the compulsive behavioral response; a prayer of confession, repentance, and the promise to try harder next time. As Lalich et al put it, “This puts an enormous psychological burden on gay and lesbian JWs, as the control and elimination of thoughts and feelings becomes a near-impossible task.” This psychological burden can lead to intrusive thoughts, depression, self-hatred, and low self-esteem.
It is hard to underestimate the psychological tension that results from forcibly denying the genuine self. Sexual expression issues from the deepest realms of the human spirit. Gender identity and sexual orientation are tethered to the core of an individual’s identity. And yet for many JWs, their identity is equally connected to their love for Jehovah. At their deepest self, they love Jehovah and their brotherhood.
They are captive. There is no middle road. They cannot be gay and one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Sexual Repression Doesn’t Discriminate
While the psychological struggle is especially intense for LGBTQ+ JWs, shame and self-loathing based on sexual repression extends to others too. Given the organization’s stance on the sinfulness of masturbation, a similar psychological battle against normal sexual desire can also cause unnecessary tension for heterosexuals in the organization. The book Keep Yourself in God’s Love published by WTS states unequivocally, “A spiritually unhealthy habit, masturbation instills attitudes that foster self-centeredness and corrupt the mind” ⁷.
Another striking example comes from an orientation video for new entrants into WTS headquarters and branch offices (called collectively Bethel). In the video, leaked online and subsequently named “Pillowgate” by prominent ex-JW activist Lloyd Evans, responsible men in the organization instruct the new volunteers with the following:
“Suppose a brother starts rubbing his genitals against a pillow. He gets an erection, but stops before having an orgasm. Is he masturbating? Yes again, because he is deliberately stimulating himself whether he has an orgasm or not (…) How about having an emmision of semen at night, maybe even after having an erotic dream?(…) When this happens to you, it would be good to examine whether you were dwelling on sexual thoughts before going to sleep. Could you have been sleeping in a position that stimulated you such as with a pillow or blanket held tightly between your legs? If you are honest with yourself about these matters, it will help you to avoid falling into unclean practices.”
The video would be comical if it weren’t for the intrusion of Bethel oversight into the personal sexuality of its members. Such oppressive views about human sexuality linger in the subconscious mind of the JWs and feed a vicious cycle of shame, self-hatred, and religious compulsion. For any who may be genetically predisposed to neuroticism, this stress can be an ongoing source of depression, feelings of worthlessness, and suicidality.
Triplefacetted Stigma
As Lalich et al bring out, “having set itself apart from mainstream society, in many respects the Witness world serves as the dominant culture for active members.” (Lalich et al, 2010). Thus, JWs who face stigma within their own community must deal “without a sense of integration on at least two levels”. On the one hand, they are stigmatized by the greater community for being part of a cult. On the other, they are stigmatized for lacking a deep inner conviction in WTS doctrine and corresponding inability to display outward enthusiasm.
Prior to sexual awakening, the devout JW can escape stigmatization by greater society by means of comradery with their spiritual brotherhood. Many JWs feel that they are at home with their spiritual family during their weekly Kingdom Hall meetings, finally safe from the dangers of the outside world. However, LGBTQ JWs, still battling their neurological fear response to the outside world, now no longer experience safety within their spiritual community. Instead, the congregation represents an additional threat of social rejection.
What makes the stigma of LGBTQ JWs triple-facetted is the personal stigmatization of the self. They are stigmatized by outsiders for being in a cult, stigmatized by homophobic insiders, and self-stigmatized for violating moral standards that they have observed and proliferated since they were tall enough, on tippy-toes, to ring a doorbell during public evangelization with adult family members.
The entrance of homosexual ideation into consciousness is at first interpreted by an awakening JW as spiritual weakness, uncleanness, or apostasy. WTS admits that some JWs might find that the sexual restrictions of the organization difficult to uphold. But the ability to bring “every thought into captivity to make it obedient to Christ” ( 2 Corinthians 10:4 NWT) is considered evidence of one’s spirituality and humility. Constant repression of unsanctioned sexual ideation is psychologically destructive and leads to the mental anguish of depression, anxiety, and suicidality.
Inspiration From the Mormon Community
Dan Reynolds, lead singer of the alternative rock band Imagine Dragons shed light on a similar struggle among LGBTQ+ youth in the documentary film Believer ⁸ that addresses the increasing rate of suicide among Utah teenagers over the past few decades. His acceptance of responsibility for speaking out against oppression within his religious community was a source of great inspiration for me as I wrote A Voice From Inside - Notes On Religious Trauma Syndrome In a Captive Organization.
In a moving scene that speaks to the heart of this identity conflict, Reynolds, who still identifies as a Mormon, and Neon Trees frontman Tyler Glenn who was raised Mormon but later excommunicated for his homosexuality, prepare for a concert to increase Mormon LGBTQ+ awareness.
While walking the grounds of the intended site of the concert three blocks away from the Mormon temple in Salt Lake City they share a moment of spiritual unity, singing one of the Mormon hymns of their youth:
As I have loved you, love one another.
This new commandment; love one another
By this shall men know ye are my disciples
If ye have love, one to another
References:
Lalich, J., & McLaren, K. (2010). Inside and outcast: Multifaceted stigma and redemption in the lives of gay and lesbian Jehovah’s Witnesses. Journal of Homosexuality, 57(10), 1303–1333.
Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society of Pennsylvania (2008) Pursue “Holiness in God’s Fear”. Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York, Inc. Brooklyn, New York. Retrieved from: https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2008366#h=14:0-14:750
Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society of Pennsylvania (1983) Honor Godly Marriage! Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York, Inc. Brooklyn, New York. Retrieved from: https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1983209#h=16:279-27:0
Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society of Pennsylvania (2018) Insight On the Scriptures. Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York, Inc. Brooklyn, New York. Retrieved from: https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200002695?q=male+and+female+manifested&p=sen
Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society of Pennsylvania (2012). Shepherd the Flock of God. Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York, Inc. Brooklyn, New York. Retrieved from: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/WAT.0003.001.0001.pdf
Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society of Pennsylvania (2012). Questions Young People Ask — Answers That Work, Volume 2. Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York, Inc., Brooklyn, New York. Retrieved from: https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102008150
Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society of Pennsylvania (2016). “Keep Yourself in God’s Love”. Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York, Inc. Brooklyn, New York. Retrieved from:https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/lv
