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This paper highlights some thematic reflections primarily based on two empirical research projects on lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) Christians and Muslims. It begins by discussing reflexivity by way of contextualising the subsequent exploration of specific themes. This is followed by a discussion of the plight of LGB Christians and Muslims which renders research on this population highly sensitive. The paper then explores the theme of researching meanings and lived experiences sensitively, focusing on the importance of being theoretically and culturally sensitive; and the relevance of methodological pragmatism and pluralism. It then proceeds to a detailed discussion of accessing 'hidden' populations and trust building; and the dynamics of the insider/outsider status. The paper concludes with a call for LGB research to take seriously intersectionality of contemporary LGB identity (e.g. sexual, religious, cultural, ethnic), and the role of religion/spirituality in LGB lives and politics.

This paper argues that, in the case of gay male couples, the issue of sexual exclusivity should be examined in terms of expectation and behaviour. Using this approach, a typology of three categories of gay male Christian couples is presented. Couples who were expectationally and behaviourally exclusive considered sexual exclusivity a symbol of total commitment, complete mutual satisfaction and adherence to the conventional Christian ethic of sexual monogamy. Couples who were expectationally exclusive but behaviourally non-exclusive developed various regulatory mechanisms to manage the disjunction between expectation and behaviour. The majority of couples were expectationally and behaviourally non-exclusive. They justified this lifestyle on the ground of sexual variety, prevention of possessiveness and the promotion of freedom and egalitarianism. They embraced the theology of friendship which emphasises inclusiveness rather than monogamy. Couples in all the three categories did not demonstrate significant differences in terms of their level of relationship satisfaction and commitment.

1. Re-framing the intersection between religion, gender and sexuality in everyday life / Andrew Kam-Tuck Yip and Peter Nynäs -- 2. The resistance from an alterspace : Pakistani and Indonesian Muslims beyond the dominant sexual and gender norms / Vanja Hamzi -- 3. Spirituality, activism, and the "postsecular" in the sisters of perpetual indulgence / Melissa M. Wilcox -- 4. Hindu, Muslim and Sikh young adults : gendered practices in the negotiation of sexuality and relationship / Sarah-Jane Page and Andrew Kam-Tuck Yip -- 5. Coping with religious and cultural homophobia : emotion and narratives of identity threat among British Muslim gay men / Rusi Jaspal -- 6. Sexualities in the migration context : religious influences on views on abortion and homosexuality / Bernadetta Siara -- 7. Queering conversion : exploring new theoretical pathways to understand religious conversion in a Western context / Wim Peumans and Christiane Stallaert -- 8. Body and sexuality constructions among youth of the ultra-orthodox Jewish community / Sara Zalcberg and Sima Zalcberg -- 9. When God is not so good : corporate religion contra new social movements / Kenneth Houston.

This article aims to open up debate on the policy implications of ageing sexualities. The article begins by discussing the heteronormative perspective that frames current discourse on older people's needs and citizenship. It then presents data from an empirical study to highlight the concerns that older lesbians and gay men have about housing, health and social service provision, work and job security, and relationship recognition. The article illustrates how the heterosexual assumption that informs policy making can limit the development of effective strategies for supporting older lesbians and gay men; and raises broader questions about policy making, social inclusion and citizenship.

The current controversies in relation to homosexuality - which emanated from the western quarters but quickly engulfed the entire Anglican Communion - highlight two significant issues. In our view, the first issue, regarding the 'religious citizenship' of lesbian and gay Christians, is generally a western concern. The second issue pertaining to the prospect of the disintegration of the Anglican Communion, however, needs to be examined within a global context. On the first issue, we argue that, since the contemporary western religious landscape (and society in general) prioritizes the authority of the self rather than that of religious institution/tradition, the traditional religious discourse that marginalizes lesbian and gay Christians is undermined by an increasingly sophisticated reverse discourse. This reverse discourse, equipped with lesbian and gay affirming theology and documentation of lived experiences, also converges with contemporary cultural (secular) discourse of human rights and personal liberty, which values social diversity, including sexual difference. We believe that the social and political currency of the reverse discourse will proliferate, thus eclipsing the traditional discourse that appears increasingly out of step with contemporary western socio-cultural reality. On the second issue, we welcome the heightened significance and relevance of (local) culture and Christianity in the debate. We argue that the decentralization (i.e. de-westernization) of the Anglican Communion should be welcomed, for there are various versions of Christianity, the conception and practice of which are closely informed by local cultures. Thus, to force the production of a unified Anglican response to moral or social issues that are differently defined across cultures may prove counter-productive.

The article draws from focus group data generated for a UK study of the life circumstances of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals aged 50 and above, to consider some key elements of the conceptual framework we are developing for understanding the issue of non-heterosexual ageing. The article considers ways in which non-heterosexual ways of living have been positively evaluated as 'prime' experiments in late modern ways of living, and identifies three core areas (identity, relationships and community) where it has been argued that lesbian and gay lifestyles can be viewed as indicators of the implications of social change. Employing the data to discuss the notion of 'do-it-yourself' biographies, we identify a number of factors that work to enable and limit an empowered sense of self amongst older lesbians and gay. In doing so, we also highlight the uneven possibilities that exist for self-creation in detraditionalised settings. Non- heterosexual couples and friendships can offer distinct possibilities for 'negotiated' and 'chosen' relationships. These are not, however, uniformly adopted or created by older non- heterosexuals. Finally, our data indicates that while non- heterosexual communities can provide crucial supports and resources for their members, some older lesbians and gay men experience these communities as exclusionary. This raises a number of questions about the dynamics that facilitate inclusion or exclusion in reflexive or critical communities. While the article highlights that non- heterosexual ageing cannot be understood without reference the creative possibilities open to non-heterosexuals, and late modern individuals generally, we caution against celebratory accounts of both non-heterosexual and late modern ways of living, and of social and cultural constraints transformed, that is inherent within them.

"This edited collection, Intersecting Religion and Sexuality: Sociological Perspectives, outlines what an intersectional analysis can offer research into religion and sexuality. It draws on various research projects which focus on different facets of this topic, such as queer sexualities, unmarried motherhood and heterosexuality, to explore how religion and sexuality intersect with each other, and with other identities such as ethnicity, gender and social class. Given the predominantly heteronormative nature of many religious traditions, marginality, power dynamics and inequalities are central to these interrogations. Intersectionality is an important theoretical lens through which to explore identities that are variously impacted by particular power dynamics and axes of privilege and disadvantage. Together, Sarah-Jane Page and Andrew Kam-Tuck Yip have written Understanding Young Buddhists: Living out Ethical Journeys (Brill, 2017) and Religious and Sexual Identities: A Multi-faith Exploration of Young Adults (Routledge, 2013), as well as multiple journal articles and book chapters. Contributors are George Okechukwu Amakor, Rebecca Barrett-Fox, Christopher Brittain, Katie Gaddini, Dorota Hall, Emmanuele Lazzara, Andrew McKinnon, Teguh Wijaya Mulya, Sarah-Jane Page, Shanon Shah, Heather Shipley, Alex Toft, Andrew Kam-Tuck Yip, Pamela Dickey Young"--

1. Introducing religion, youth and sexuality -- 2. Faith matters : exploring meanings and connections of religion -- 3. Understanding sexuality : negotiating relationship values -- 4. Embodying sexuality : managing bodily practices -- 5. Stirring passions : managing singleness, relationships and counter-normative sexualities -- 6. Positioning oneself in the world : negotiating sexualised cultures in diverse spaces and contexts -- 7. Conclusions : understanding young adults' religious faith and sexuality.