Faith Positions
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Religion has been a source of both solace and suffering for many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Americans. For while most LGBTQ Americans have been raised in an organized religion — and many continue to cherish their faith community — too many have been forced to leave those communities behind because of condemnation of LGBTQ people. And yet in recent years, a growing number of organized religious groups in the United States have issued statements officially welcoming LGBTQ people as members. Many religious organizations also have taken supportive stands on the issues that affect LGBTQ people in America, such as the fight for freedom from discrimination, the solemnizing of same-sex marriage and the ordination of openly LGBTQ clergy.
Click on a faith tradition below for an overview of their position on LGBTQ people and the issues that affect them.
We are currently in the process of updating these resources. Updated content is denoted by "[updated]."
Please note that this list is not comprehensive. There are LGBTQ people of faith in a number of religions not listed here including Sikhism, Native American religions and others. There also are many LGBTQ people who practice forms of spirituality found outside organized religion. We are working to expand this section to represent as many religious and spiritual experiences as possible. Please send any suggestions you have.
Buddhism
Christianity
- African Methodist Episcopal Church
- Alliance of Baptists
- American Baptist Church USA
- Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
- Church of God in Christ
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)
- Church of the Nazarene
- Episcopal Church
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- Metropolitan Community Churches
- National Baptist Convention USA Inc.
- Old Catholics/Independent Catholics
- Orthodox Church (Eastern)
- Orthodox Church (Oriental)
- Pentecostals
- Presbyterian Church (USA)
- Presbyterian Church in America
- Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
- Roman Catholic Church
- Seventh-day Adventist Church
- Southern Baptist Convention
- Unitarian Universalist Association
- United Church of Christ
- United Methodist Church
- Unity