A master’s student studying human rights in Sweden is writing his thesis on LGBTQ Rights and Religion Based on Mormonism. The research aims to see if religion has an impact on LGBTQ rights based on Mormonism and how Mormonism impacts LGBTQ people’s lives.
Purpose of the project
The purpose of the research project is to look into if religion impacts LGBTQ rights based on Mormonism. The project will focus on how the LGBTQ rights’ movements improved the perspective of the religion considering the policies, decisions, speeches made by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
- Can religion have an impact on LGBTQ rights movement or vice versa?
- Can LGBTQ rights movements in a society (USA) impact the perspective of people believing in a religion — Mormonism?
- Is it possible to see patterns and strict rules in Mormonism preventing the fight against discrimination against LGBTQ? If it is, can these rules be bent?
- What are queer ex-Mormons’ thoughts on the Church’s changing stance on LGBTQ rights? (For example, the Church’s support for anti-gay marriage acts in the past and current support for pro-gay marriage acts. The Church’s previous homophobic policies and changing policies to include LGBTQ people.)
This is a master’s thesis. The collected data will not be used for any other purpose.
Who is responsible for the research project?
This thesis is for a joint-degree master’s program that is a cooperation among the following universities:
- University of Gothenburg (Sweden)
- University of Deusto (Spain)
- University of Roehampton (the UK)
- Arctic University of Norway (Norway)
Research Topic and Participation
The researcher is looking for LGBTQ people who have left the LDS Church to have an interview which takes around 45 minutes depending on your answers – there is no time limit. The interview will include questions regarding your experience as LGBTQ ExMormon. Participation is voluntary and you can withdraw your consent at any time without giving a reason. There will be no negative consequences for you if you choose not to participate or later decide to withdraw.
Why are you being asked to participate?
You are being asked to participate because you identify yourself as LGBTQ person who has left the LDS Church. I contact you because you have consented to share your contact details with me to reach you for research purposes.
What does participation involve for you?
It will take approx. 45 minutes (depending on answers). Please note that there is no time limit, so you do not have to limit yourself to time and content. The survey includes questions about your experience as a person who has left the church (Ex-Mormon) or is thinking about leaving the church. Your opinions on LGBTQ rights and LDS Church will be also collected. Your answers will be recorded electronically.
Participation is voluntary
Participation in the research project is voluntary. If you chose to participate, you can withdraw your consent at any time without giving a reason. All information about you will then be made anonymous. There will be no negative consequences for you if you chose not to participate or later decide to withdraw.
Data and Privacy
The collected data will be anonymous and will not be used for any other purpose. Participants’ data and privacy will be protected in line with General Data Protection Regulation in the European Union. After the interview, participants can request to have the data modified or deleted. Noone apart from the researcher will have access to the personal data.
What will happen to your personal data at the end of the research project?
The research project is scheduled to end on 30 June 2023. The collected data will be anonymized and published as anonymous data in a way that will not identify you. The data will be stored in a password-protected computer and the anonymization will happen by 30 June 2023.
Your rights
So long as you can be identified in the collected data, you have the right to:
- Access the personal data that is being processed about you
- Request that your personal data is deleted
- Request that incorrect personal data about you is corrected/rectified
- Receive a copy of your personal data (data portability), and
- Send a complaint to the Data Protection Officer at the university regarding the processing of your personal data
What gives us the right to process your personal data?
We will process your personal data based on your consent. You will be asked to sign an official document that states that you give consent for your data to be processed and you can withdraw your consent anytime. This procedure is to maintain your safety.
Next Steps
To volunteer, if you qualify, reach out to the student leading the research for this master’s thesis and volunteer for the study. Find more information on the Erasmus Mundus Master’s Programme in Human Rights Policy and Practice.
Fill out this inquiry form to volunteer. You will be contacted based on qualification and the number of volunteers, you will be prompted to answer a few questions and to supply an email address to receive the consent form which explains the research topic and how privacy is protected for each participant.
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