Torn Between Religious Doctrine and Parental Love: The Transformative Journeys of Devout Catholic Parents of LGBTQ+ Children

The intersections between religion and sexuality are increasingly strained in contemporary societies in which individualistic attitudes in the spheres of intimacy and family life are widespread. Doctrinal stances on sexual morality have also sparked divisive debates within several religious communities. Against this background, this article studies how devout Catholic parents in Italy navigate the tensions between Church teachings and their love for LGBTQ+ children. While Catholic doctrine calls for respect toward LGBTQ+ individuals, it maintains traditionalist, if not intransigent, positions on same-sex relationships, gender diversity, and LGBTQ+ rights, creating profound conflicts for parents who regard Catholicism as central to their personal and family identities. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with twenty-three Catholic parents involved in LGBTQ+-affirming Catholic associations, this study explores how these individuals reconcile normative conflicts between Church teachings and parental love. Thematic analysis reveals a deeply personal, transformative journey: from initial confusion and distress to reconciliation and advocacy for more inclusive religious communities. Findings show how parents gradually reinterpret Catholic doctrine in an affirmative way, developing a greater awareness of gender diversity and discovering new forms of spiritual engagement. This process is influenced by personal religiosity, the local social context, and access to supportive networks of Catholic LGBTQ+ organizations. While current scholarship has principally investigated the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals, it has paid less attention to religious parents, despite the significant of their parental role for several LGBTQ+ people. This study sheds light on the dynamics of the cognitive dissonance experienced by Catholic parents, offering a deeper understanding of the tension between religiosity and LGBTQ+ identities. By focusing on Italy, where cultural Catholic values remain deeply embedded in the social fabric and the family is a central social institution, this study offers nuanced perspectives on how faith and acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities can coexist at a time when heteronormative values and traditionalist sexual norms are increasingly questioned.