Faith Beyond the Church: Vernacular Queer Religiosity Among Non-Heterosexual Males in Bulgaria

Abstract The main purpose of this study is to explore the notions of religion, faith, and spirituality among 63 non-heterosexual males in Bulgaria through a micro-level investigation of non-heterosexual religious subjectivities. Based on in-depth interviews, the findings reveal a shift from institutional religion toward individualised forms of belief shaped by the Internet, mobility and social media. Moving beyond the binary opposition between religion and secularity, the data identify three distinct patterns of negotiation: (1) compartmentalised negotiation among those identifying as religious, (2) distancing and rejection among those identifying as atheists, and (3) reflexive reinterpretation among those identifying as people of faith. Building on these findings, the study introduces the concept of vernacular queer religiosity , bringing together everyday religious meaning-making, sexual identity work, and the sociopolitical conditions of marginalisation to examine how religious authority, identification, and personal spirituality are negotiated differently under heteronormative moral regulation and stigma. In the Bulgarian post-socialist context, where religion primarily marks national belonging rather than doctrinal knowledge, these processes take specific forms shaped by generational change and access to transnational networks. The findings further suggest that identity integration among the respondents—through distancing or reflexive engagement—was described by participants as contributing to improved well-being compared to compartmentalised religiosity.