LibGuides: LGBTQIA+ Resources: Religion

LGBTQIA+ Issues

These pages provide information and resources on some of the issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community. Select from the topics, below:

LGBTQIA+ People & Religion

"While some religious groups have been more receptive to queer people (for example, Reform Judaism, American Buddhism, Unitarian Universalism, the United Church of Christ, and neopaganism) than others, there is diversity even within traditions generally considered to be wholly hostile to queer people. Queer-positive groups have developed in Islam (Al-Fatiha), Mormonism (Affirmation), Orthodox Judaism (GLYDSA), Roman Catholicism (Dignity), and evangelical Christianity (Evangelicals Concerned)."

Hladky, K. (2009). Religion. In J.C. Hawley (Ed.), LGBTQ America today:
An encyclopedia (pp. 1028-1030). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

The following are links to religious groups that are welcoming to LGBT people, and that are campaigning for LGBTQIA+ inclusion in their faiths.

Faith Positions (HRC)
Offers an overview of faith in the LGBT community, and provides information about religious organizations' views and positions on LGBT issues.
LGBT Religion 101
Developed by the Pacific School of Religion's Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry, this brief overview links to FAQ pages regarding the Bible and homosexuality, as well as other resources.
Gay Religion: LGBT Support Group Resources
Identifies a number of other sites related to LGBT religious issues and advocacy.
LesBePure Resources
Provides a list of sites related to issues of religion in the LGBT community.
Religious Institute
"Founded in 2001, the Religious Institute is a multifaith organization dedicated to advocating for sexual health, education, and justice in faith communities and society."
Metropolitan Community Churches
"Since its founding in 1968, MCC has been at the vanguard of civil and human rights movements by addressing important issues such as racism, sexism, homophobia, ageism, and other forms of oppression. MCC has been on the forefront in the struggle towards marriage equality in the US and other countries worldwide and continues to be a powerful voice in the LGBT equality movement."
Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons
"Our membership consists of individuals at different places in the coming-out process, as well as families, friends and allies. Our mission is to provide a safe space where LGBT individuals, as well as those questioning their orientation, can associate with like individuals, ask questions, and know that they are not alone. We help LGBTQ people reconcile with their spirituality within the context of a common Mormon background."
Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity
"The Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity works to support, empower and connect LGBTQ Muslims."
TransFaith
"Transfaith™ is a national non-profit that is led by transgender people and focused on issues of faith and spirituality."
Union for Reform Judaism: LGBT Inclusion
Unitarian Universalist: LGBTQ Welcome & Equality
"Unitarian Universalist congregations extend a warm welcome to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals, families, and communities."
The UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns
"The Coalition provides support and sanctuary to all our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sisters and brothers, their families and friends; advocates for their full inclusion in church and society; and brings Christ's affirming message of love and justice for all people.

The United Church of Christ Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns is officially recognized by the United Church of Christ as a related, self-created organization."
Seventh-day Adventist Kinship International
"Seventh-day Adventist Kinship International provides a safe spiritual and social community to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & intersex current and former Seventh-day Adventists around the world."
Evangelicals Concerned Inc.
"We are the national network of gay and lesbian evangelical Christians and friends. A non-profit organization founded in 1975 by Dr. Ralph Blair, EC has served the gay community since then, providing hope, encouragement, teaching and fellowship to women and men seeking to integrate their faith and sexual orientation."
The Gay Christian Network
"This short, simple phrase encapsulates GCN’s ultimate purpose. We believe that the truth, or “light,” of Christ, and His unconditional love are for everyone, not just the straight community, and that our job as Christians is to share that light and love with one another and with the world."
Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns
"Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns is a North American Quaker faith community that affirms that of God in all people. Gathering twice yearly for worship and play, we draw sustenance from each other and from the Spirit for our work and life in the world. We are learning that radical inclusion and radical love bring further light to Quaker testimony and life."
Integrity USA
"Through Integrity's evangelism, thousands of LGBT people, estranged from the Episcopal Church and other denominations, have returned to parish life."
More Light Presbyterians
"Following the risen Christ, and seeking to make the Church a true community of hospitality, the mission of More Light Presbyterians is to work for the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and in society."
ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for Full Participation
"ReconcilingWorks advocates for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Lutherans in all aspects of the life of their Church and congregations. We provide a place of comfort and safety. We reach out to teach that Christ's message, the Gospel, is for everyone equally. We call for the blessing of committed and covenanted same-gender relationships, and for the ordination of those called to minister."
Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Interests
"The mission of BMC is to cultivate an inclusive church and society and to care for the Mennonite and Brethren lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and allied community."
Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Concerns
"Affirmation is an independent voice of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer people and our supporters. We are an activist, all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization that challenges The United Methodist Church to be inclusive, and radically speaks out against injustice for LGBTQ people around the world."
Dignity USA: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Catholics
"DIGNITY is organized to unite gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics, as well as our families, friends and loved ones in order to develop leadership, and be an instrument through which we may be heard by and promote reform in the Church."
AWAB: Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists
"The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists (AWAB) is made up of a growing number of member churches, affiliated organizations, and individuals willing to go on record as welcoming and affirming all persons without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity."
Keshet l'dor v'dor
"The vision of the organization is to nurture an environment where Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Jews worldwide can enjoy free and fulfilling lives."
Keshet
"Working for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Jews in Jewish life"
Soulforce
"Soulforce is committed to freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people from religious and political oppression through relentless nonviolent resistance."