Final answer:
The statement that over half of LGBT people surveyed have a religious affiliation is true according to the Pew Research Center's 2015 Religious Landscape Study. There is a complex relationship between the LGBT community and religious institutions, with a trend towards greater acceptance among certain religious groups, despite continuing challenges and discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that over half of LGBT people surveyed reported they had an affiliation with a religious institution is TRUE. According to the Pew Research Center's 2015 Religious Landscape Study, a substantial portion of LGBT Americans do indeed affiliate with various religious groups, despite the well-documented complexity of the relationship between religious institutions and the LGBT community. Religious views on LGBT issues vary widely, with some religious organizations being more accepting and others maintaining traditional views that often lead to challenging narratives for LGBT individuals in society.
While some traditional religious institutions still teach that homosexuality is incompatible with their beliefs, there has been a notable shift among certain religious groups towards greater inclusion and acceptance of LGBT individuals. Organizations like the Episcopal Church in the USA have taken significant steps to welcome LGBT people, even allowing clergy to preside over same-sex marriages. Notably, this progress has been met with resistance in certain quarters, but it represents a broader trend of change within religious communities.
Despite advancements in civil rights for the LGBT community, there are still substantial issues to confront, such as discrimination, hate crimes, and varying levels of acceptance across different religions and denominations. The evolving response of religious communities to the increasing visibility of LGBT individuals will continue to play a pivotal role in the pursuit of equality and the overall experience of LGBT people within the religious landscape.