Comment on Ask an Amishman by Shelter Somerset.
Although there are no quantitative studies on the subject, realistically the same percentage of homosexuals in “mainstream” America can be found in the world of the Amish. The only difference is, most gay Amish will conform to their culture’s norms and live as heterosexuals. Homosexual encounters during rumspringha is perhaps as common during adolescence as in any culture. Roughly 20% of Amish people never join the church. What percentage of those are gay? Difficult to judge. In addition, not all those who remain in the Amish community are devout. What number engage in sex outside of marriage? Most likely far less than in modern America, but there must be some, including those who have had same-sex encounters. Amish is like any other denomination–it’s comprised of humans. Few people have written about the topic of homosexuality and the Amish. I, Shelter Somerset, am one. James Schwartz is another. Google “gay Amish” and you will find a few books on being gay and Amish.
