Religion's Role and Community Attitudes Toward LGBTQ Senior High School Students

This study investigated the influence of religious ideology on community attitudes and psychological well-being among LGBTQ Senior High School (SHS) students at Curuan National High School (CNHS) in Zamboanga City, Philippines. Employing a quantitative correlational design, the study measured community perceptions across inclusion, discrimination, and internalized homophobia using structured survey instruments. Data analysis revealed that social inclusion was generally high (Average Weighted Mean [AWM] = 4.06), while awareness of internalized homophobia was higher (AWM = 4.14), highlighting the psychological burden on LGBTQ students. Regression analysis demonstrated a highly significant negative relationship between the perceived role of religion—particularly conservative interpretations—and positive community attitudes (β = -0.45, R² = 0.386, p < 0.001). These results indicate that conservative religious influence functions as a structural barrier, contributing to minority stress and internalized homophobia. The findings also reveal an equity gap in which informal social acceptance outpaces systemic fairness, underscoring the need for targeted interventions. Recommendations include implementing and strictly enforcing SOGIE-aware non-discrimination policies, strengthening psychological support systems, and promoting inclusive community and school environments to enhance the well-being and safety of LGBTQ youth.