Diversity and Faith: Sexualities and Religious Practices among New Evangelical Movements in Brazil

Abraão Tavares, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)

Preliminary results from Brazil’s 2022 Census reveal that the country has more religious temples than health or education establishments, highlighting the importance of religion in socio-demographic discussions. Contrary to the Second Demographic Transition theory, which predicts a decline in religiosity, Brazil is witnessing a shift from a Catholic to an Evangelical majority. This shift has influenced national politics, with the Evangelical Caucus advocating for traditional, heterosexual family models. While Evangelicalism typically opposes sexual diversity, recent inclusive churches challenge these norms by embracing human rights principles and welcoming LGBTQ+ individuals. This research investigates the relationship between religion, sexuality, and demographic behavior within inclusive Evangelical churches in Belo Horizonte. It aims to map the socio-demographic profile of attendees, explore sexual initiation, and examine conjugal unions among LGBTQ+ members. Using qualitative methods like participant observation and semi-structured interviews, the study focuses on how inclusive church doctrines influence sexual and family behaviors. Preliminary results show that inclusive churches provide spaces for new life perspectives, helping members navigate traditional gender and sexuality pressures. The research also opens avenues for comparing these findings with global discussions on religion and sexual diversity. Data collection and analysis are planned for 2024-2025.

Keywords: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Families, Unions and Households, Qualitative data/methods/approaches

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