The main purpose of this study is to explore the notions of religion, faith, and spirituality among 63 non-heterosexual males in Bulgaria through a micro-level investigation of non-heterosexual religious subjectivities. Based on in-depth interviews, the findings reveal a shift from institutional religion toward individualised forms of belief shaped by the Internet, mobility and social media. Moving beyond the binary opposition between religion and secularity, the data identify three distinct patterns of negotiation: (1) compartmentalised negotiation among those identifying as religious, (2) distancing and rejection among those identifying as atheists, and (3) reflexive reinterpretation among those identifying as people of faith. Building on these findings, the study introduces the concept of vernacular queer religiosity, bringing together everyday religious meaning-making, sexual identity work, and the sociopolitical conditions of marginalisation to examine how religious authority, identification, and personal spirituality are negotiated differently under heteronormative moral regulation and stigma. In the Bulgarian post-socialist context, where religion primarily marks national belonging rather than doctrinal knowledge, these processes take specific forms shaped by generational change and access to transnational networks. The findings further suggest that identity integration among the respondents—through distancing or reflexive engagement—was described by participants as contributing to improved well-being compared to compartmentalised religiosity.
Depending on which historical moments they have inhabited, LGBT+ people aged 40 + may have experienced a combination of criminalisation, pathologisation, discrimination from within both cis-heterosexual spaces and LGBT+ spaces, and ongoing threats to inclusion through anti-LGBT+ speech. This paper draws on 38 life-course interviews with LGBT+ people aged 40 + conducted as part of the IncludeAge project (2022-27), which explores experiences of inclusion and exclusion in everyday places and online spaces. Our paper considers how LGBT+ people aged 40 + currently living in Britain construct forms of experiential wisdom by reflecting on lives shaped by exclusion and marginalisation. We argue that attention to these ‘life things’ offers a broader way of conceptualising what exchanges between LGBT+ people of different generational moments might look like, and how such exchanges might contribute to age-friendly places and spaces for LGBT+ people. Although our data cannot demonstrate bidirectional LGBT+ intergenerational exchange or its effects, it does suggest that ‘life things’ provide a useful way of conceptualising what might be exchanged: not simply historical knowledge from old to young, but experiential perspectives on the ordinary and difficult business of living.
This study explores the public discourse addressing Amir Ohana, an openly gay right-wing politician who was appointed Speaker of the Israeli Parliament in one of the country’s most conservative, homophobic coalitions. Focusing on the intersection of sexual orientation, political identity, and user-generated content, the study analyzed 3158 online user comments (OUCs) published between 2019 and 2024 on 12 major Israeli news outlets. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative content analysis with qualitative reflexive thematic analysis, the study uncovers three themes in audience responses: homophobia, liberalism, and ideological critiques of inauthenticity in politics. The findings challenge conventional distinctions between liberal and conservative outlets, revealing widespread use of identity-based discourse as a tool for social and political boundary maintenance. We introduce the concept of “everyday purity politics” to describe how user comments function as ritualized acts of inclusion and exclusion. By centering audience reactions in political and cultural communication research, the study highlights the discursive power of online comments in shaping public meanings, reaffirming hierarchies, and negotiating the terms of political legitimacy in a polarized digital landscape.
Abstract Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people of diverse sexualities and/or gender identities are at markedly high risk for psychological distress and suicidal behaviours. However, they also experience barriers to accessing safe, affirming, and culturally responsive health care. In reference to these findings, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) advocate for the development of resources to strengthen their capacity for inclusive practice to better meet the needs of diverse clients. The current study aimed to identify competencies for inclusive care with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ young people within ACCO and ACCHO settings. Staff from two Western Australian ACCOs ( n = 15) and national subject matter experts (SMEs; n = 9) took part in a series of yarning-style focus groups and interviews regarding inclusive practice needs and competencies necessary for inclusive practice. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse responses within an Aboriginal guided research process. Five core themes (competencies) were identified: (1) young person-centred care; (2) effective communication and language (3) safety and visibility; (4) non-judgement; and (5) connected services. Together, these competencies emphasise the importance of responsive care that acknowledges young people’s self-determination, as well as their cultural, gender and/or sexual diversities. Findings provide a foundation for developing a competency framework and culturally grounded training resources for ACCO and ACCHOs, particularly within Western Australian service contexts.
