Event discusses faith and sexuality

In an ever-changing society, two aspects of human identity still frequently conflict: faith and sexuality.

Attempting to shed some light on the issue, Michael Freeman, the assistant director for diversity education and student engagement, held a workshop, "Intersection of Faith and Sexual Orientation," on Feb. 15.

A modest crowd of fifteen came together for the workshop, many of whom were UCF faculty and staff as well as a handful of students. Freeman facilitated a discussion among attendees on how an individual can identify as a member of the GLBT community and still keep a firm grasp on their faith.

"We live in a heterosexist society where heterosexuality is automatically assumed of a person," said Freeman, who was raised a Southern Baptist and believes that faith and sexuality can coexist without problems as long as people are educated on the matter.

During the discussion, Freeman and many of the workshop attendees came to the conclusion that heterosexism results from long-believed religious notions that have become ingrained in our society.

Freeman specifically referred to the UCF GLBT community when providing examples of how faith and sexuality conflict for many individuals. According to Freeman, 82 percent of EQUAL members, the on-campus GLBT club, identify themselves as agnostic or atheist, or choose not to follow a religion.

Most of these students had not always been atheist or agnostic and claimed to have followed a religion at one point in their lives, said Freeman.

Cody Miller, a senior English major, said that despite this data he finds hope for the union of faith and sexuality within his friends.

"I have religious friends that have gay friends and have no issue, but also gay friends that have no issue with faith," Miller said. "To them it's not mutually exclusive and the two things completely complement each other."

Junior education major Abigail Ruiz came to the workshop because she was intrigued by the odd title.

"You don't normally hear people talking about religion and how you define yourself sexually," Ruiz said. "The normal thing is being Christian and straight. No one ever talks about being a homosexual religious person."

During the discussion, Freeman paralleled the recent youth-led Egyptian revolution with GLBT awareness.

"We will see how the world will change because of the voices of young people. It's about empowering and educating our students, but it can't stop here," Freeman said. "We do nothing if we keep all this brilliance here. We cannot make UCF an incubator."

According to Freeman, 14 UCF education programs teach gender and identities in their curriculums.  UCF has a long way to go as a university when it comes to making strides in GLBT awareness.

"I think we're a special place, but not that special," Freeman said.

In reference to faith and sexuality, Freeman said he hopes to help GLBT youth understand that they can keep one part of their life without giving up another.  He would also like to see religious, heterosexual individuals be more accepting of homosexual lifestyles.

"As people get to know more and more gays, lesbians and bisexuals, and they recognize them as not evil people, it will be very easy for them to find a place inside society," Freeman said. "We see that change happening now."

During the discussion, Miller voiced his belief that in a matter of 25 years, churches and society as a whole will completely accept homosexuality.

This sentiment was met with opposing opinions from many attendees, some of whom thought such a change in society will take much longer. However, a common theme in all the responses to Miller was still present: a desire for this goal to be met, no matter how long it will take.

Freeman mirrored this thought as he spoke of future generations.

"I hope that when my grandchildren are your age, the conversation has changed," Freeman said. "They'll be able to say ‘Gay what?'"