Chloé Socias
Despite the challenges that LGBTQ+ people continue to face in Catholicism, an increase in awareness and acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities is newly taking root in some places around the world.
Chloé Socias is the author of Moi, catholique et homosexuelle en Martinique (Me, a Catholic and homosexual in Martinique), which details her journey as a queer Catholic in the West Indies.
Interviewed by Erasing 76 Crimes, Socias discussed her relationship with the Catholic Church and the LGBTQ+ community. Since coming out, Socias has seen positive growth in the church’s perception of LGBTQ+ identities in Martinique. She stated:
“’For a very long time, being openly a Christian lesbian was like walking on eggshells. Today things have changed a lot. Four years ago, I could be the subject of criticism and gossipy backbiting within my parish. That’s no longer the case at all, because I’ve asserted myself without denying who I am. I’ve made my place instead of abandoning my faith.’”
But Socias also recognizes the negative aspects of associating with Catholicism:
“’On the one hand, for a long time, the Church has totally legitimized the unacceptable homophobic behavior of some people, while on the other, LGBT+ people who may or may not have experienced rejection by religious people use this as a reason to abandon their faith. . .
“’But the problem goes deeper than that, because I often observe that even young heterosexuals sometimes feel rejected by the Church, because of what people will say, because of what people wear, or because of differences in musical tastes between the generations that lead to misunderstandings.’”
Since coming out, Socias has found support from clergy members, including Fr. Gaétan Présent, who was in charge of her parish’s youth ministry program. Their conversations on faith and homosexuality helped Socias develop her place in the church, rather than abandon her faith.
Socias’ explained that publicity about her book was mainly spread by word of mouth:
“’In the local press, I was interviewed by Radio Caraïbes Internationale, the main radio station in the West Indies, but for the rest, relative anonymity surrounded the release of my book. I was half surprised by this, given its societal tone. In fact, at the same time as we are witnessing a real acceptance of female homosexuality among the younger generation in Martinique, there is a relative indifference that is emerging and growing, and that’s all to the good. However, the same cannot yet be said for male homosexuality.’”
Socias’ journey shows that it is possible to have a positive experience within the church as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. And her story, detailed in her book, shows how effective working from inside the institutional church can be for those LGBTQ+ Catholics and allies who choose to:
“[F]aith and a relationship with God, with one’s creator, are deeply personal and intimate and have nothing to do with the way other people look at you. . .I think that it’s by staying within the Church that you get the Church moving and change perceptions and mentalities. At the beginning, some people in my parish saw me only as a young tomboy, today I’m appreciated for the social work I do with young people.”
—Sarah Cassidy (she/her), New Ways Ministry, September 4, 2024
