Religion, Psychiatry, and Alternate Sexuality

Religious institutions tend to display a conservative view towards individuals with alternate sexuality or identity. For managing patients with alternate sexuality, it is imperative that clinicians understand and take into account religious views and its effects on a person's mental health. We review the literature on religion, alternate sexuality, and psychiatry to ascertain their interaction and impact on the mental health of individuals with alternate sexuality or identity. Differing but overlapping perspectives on alternate sexuality persist across world religions. Individuals with conflict between religious and sexual identities are prone to have adverse mental health outcomes; adequate social supports result in more positive mental health outcomes. Education on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex-related topics in mental health professionals leads to better recognition of the issue and provision of respectful, effective mental health care within the context of socio-religious identity and background.