Gen Z Catholics Model Resilience and Faith, Including for LGBTQ+ Inclusion, Writes Essayist

Gen Z Catholics, born between roughly 1997 and 2021, are responding with “courage, resilience, and faith” to so many of the world’s major threats, including threats to LGBTQ+ rights, according to a recent essay in U.S. Catholic.

In her essay, Susan Salaz outlines the many difficult realities that this young generation faces:

“Young people are confronted with a relentless stream of existential threats, from climate change to immigration and LGBTQ+ rights, which are not abstract concepts but deeply personal and profoundly impactful, shaping the way young people see themselves, their communities, and their future. But many young Catholics are already embodying their beliefs by boldly confronting both mental health struggles and the pursuit of justice head-on, galvanized by spiritual resilience in their quest for a better world.”

Salaz focuses on several young leaders and justice-oriented organizations answering the call put forth by the world’s challenges: youth mobilizing for climate justice in Washington D.C., young people at the forefront of forging relationships and social networks among recent immigrants in Indianapolis, and more. She highlights, too, the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth and their supporters—and their resilient responses.

The author notes sobering statistics about the mental health crisis afflicting LGBTQ+ youth: “39 percent of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including 46 percent of transgender and nonbinary young people,” with higher rates of suicidal ideation reported by LGBTQ+ youth of color.

Ish Ruiz, a theologian at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, notes the particular challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth in Catholic schools: “My queer students have higher levels of anxiety, depression—some developed unhealthy eating habits and eating disorders. And some had suicidal ideation.” Ruiz is a co-editor of the new publication, Cornerstones: Sacred Stories of LGBTQ+ Employees in Catholic Institutions.

However, Salaz also brings forth hopeful developments. For example, LGBTQ+ youth continue to courageously and resiliently live out the truth of who God made them to be.

The impact of a supportive community on youth striving for their own liberation cannot be overstated. Salaz reports: “LGBTQ+ young people living in accepting communities were 50 percent less likely to attempt suicide than those living in unaccepting communities.”

There is an increasing number of groups and organizations aimed at cultivating and increasing levels of support for LGBTQ+ youth. In Indianapolis, the organization Catholic Allies works “to provide that support and acceptance [to LGBTQ+ youth] starting at home.”

Danielle Weise, co-founder of Catholic Allies, states that it “is possible to be both a Catholic and an ally; there is an overwhelmingly large community of people who feel the same way and are willing to show up.” Weise emphasizes what is reflected in the above statistic: “that if open and accepting conversations happen at home beginning at a young age, the relief can be life-changing.”

The impact of a supportive social environment for young LGBTQ+ people can be seen in the story of Christian Figueroa, a sophomore at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. Salaz reports that, for Figueroa, who is now a political activist for LGBTQ+ rights and mental health, a supportive family and faith environment were crucial to his understanding of his own vocation. He explained: 

“’Having family—my parents, my siblings, my friends, my best friends, and the entire school, which was a Catholic, all boys school (ironically, they were very, very, very supportive)—I’m so grateful for that. . .It helps me further accept who I am but also further live out my mission and my values as a Catholic and as a young person of the LGBTQ+ community.'”

Support, however, is not one-way. The talents and commitments of youth can greatly benefit the wider church, if young people are allowed to contribute and grow. Salaz reports on the work of James Holzhauer-Chuckas, executive director at Chicago’s United Catholic Youth Ministries, which is quite LGBTQ+ inclusive, writing:

“[Holzhauer-Chuckas] believes empowering young people to take an active role in their faith communities is key to promoting mental health and well-being. He advocates for a new model of church leadership that involves co-leadership with young people, allowing them to develop valuable skills, find a sense of purpose, and navigate the challenges of growing up in a world filled with complex social justice issues and mental health concerns.

“Holzhauer-Chuckas says that young people are practical in their approaches to change, thinking both big and small about how they can make an impact now and in the future as they consider vocations and jobs. . .’We need to place our trust in young people at our leadership table,’ Holzhauer-Chuckas says. . .”

The stories of these Gen Z individuals and organizations which support them demonstrate that when we extend a hand of support rather than slam a door, the Body of Christ is strengthened and continually refreshed with new life. When the LGBTQ+ youth in our midst are given a chance, they speak out as prophetic voices of hope.

Salaz concludes by offering a way forward that empowers and incorporates the gifts and voices of the young people in our church as they, and we, continue to face the world’s brokenness:

“As the Catholic Church continues to navigate its role in supporting young people through these challenges, listening to youth voices and empowering them to take an active role in shaping their faith communities and beyond will be essential. By fostering a culture of co-leadership, providing mental health resources, creating safe spaces for dialogue and support, and initiating opportunities to be a part of efforts to make change, the church can help young people develop the tools they need to thrive.”

—Phoebe Carstens (they/them), New Ways Ministry, September 11, 2024