A double-edged sword

Journal of Language and Sexuality, vol. 14, pp. 91–114

Abstract

Abstract This article examines Brazil’s LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Churches movement, focusing on the online discourse of the Igreja Cristã Contemporânea (“Contemporary Christian Church”), supposedly the country’s most welcoming religious space for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Employing a Foucauldian Critical Discourse Analysis, it studies how the church’s discourse can help naturalize normative ideas of LGBTQIA+ identities. Data is retrieved from the church’s website, a series of eight YouTube videos, and their comment sections. Results indicate that despite welcoming LGBTQIA+ believers and acting as an inclusive religious space, the church follows prescriptive behaviors rooted in cis-het and homonormativity. Regardless of its LGBTQIA+ positive self-representation and ingroup affirmation approach, the church propagates a “queer” discourse embedded in traditional beliefs toward sexual relationships and practices, marriage, and parochial obedience.

Authors 1

1. Eduardo Alves Vieira corresponding Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden UniversityLeidenNetherlands