Abstract

This thesis explores how the ex-gay movement - rooted in the evangelical Christian church projects - enforces biblical masculinity through published and practiced testimonies of ex-gay conversion. Academic literature on this topic is often polarized as "feminist critique" or "Religious Sentiment". Instead, this project explores the ex-gay movement from both a feminist/queer and religious studies perspective. I will examine how masculinity functions simultaneously as a biblical construction and a social construction instead of one or the other. My research will consider how the use of practiced and published testimonies produce an ideal masculinity for other ex-gay men to achieve and emulate. Ex-gay testimonies were collected through two different Exodus International conferences, other ex-gay ministries mailings, and the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. ex-gay organizations. Through an analysis of my participant observation at an Exodus International Love Won Out conference and content analysis of the collected testimonies, this project will explore the ways in which men who participate in ex-gay organizations learn and perform masculinity as a central step in becoming ex-gay.

Advisor

Craven, Christa

Second Advisor

Kammer III, Charles

Department

Religious Studies; Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Disciplines

Religion

Keywords

ex-gay, masculinity

Publication Date

2013

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2013 Christina Bowerman