LGBT-affirming Christian denominations
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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) affirming Christian denominations are Christian denominations that do not consider homosexuality or transgenderism to be sins. They include entire religious denominations, as well as individual churches and congregations. Some are composed mainly of non-LGBT members and also have specific programs to welcome LGBT people, while others are composed mainly of LGBT members.
Additionally, some denominations which are not LGBT-affirming have member-organized groups which are not officially sanctioned by the denomination. There are also ecumenical or para-church programmes that are explicitly outreaches to LGBT people, but do not identify with any particular faith tradition or denomination.
History
While Christianity has traditionally forbidden sodomy, believing it to be parallel to homosexuality, some believe in the Hebrew text and history that the word sodomy literally means "male temple prostitute", and not a translation for homosexual. Thus, homosexuality is not thought of as an act of sin in a growing population of churches today.[1] Today some Christian denominations are accepting of homosexuality and transgenderism and inclusive of homosexual and transgender people, such as the United Church of Christ and the Metropolitan Community Church. Formed in 1991, The Evangelical Network is a network of evangelical churches, ministries and Christian Workers that are a part of the LGBT community. The Evangelical Network holds an annual conference and provides education, ministerial support, and networking capabilities.
One of the first churches established for gays was the Liberal Catholic Church, in Sydney, Australia in 1916. In 1946, Archbishop George Hyde of the Eucharistic Catholic Communion (a small denomination not in union with the Roman Catholic Church) celebrated mass for gay men in Atlanta. In 1956, the Church of ONE Brotherhood was founded in Los Angeles by a gay-rights activist.[2] In 1962, a Congregationalist pastor began an overt pastoral ministry to gay people in New York City. The first gay and transgender-specific denomination, as opposed to individual congregations, was the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches in 1968.[2]
Some congregations are merely non-discriminatory and LGBT-affirming while others are specifically oriented toward gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons.[2] Some local congregations, especially those designated as "Welcoming churches" in the Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, Methodist, Episcopal, and Brethren/Mennonite denominations, may consist of a majority of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender members.[2]
While Unitarian Universalism is no longer explicitly a Christian religion, it does have Judeo-Christian roots. Both the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Canadian Unitarian Council have officially affirmed LGBT people and have openly advocated for gay rights.
Denominations
Asia
- Anglican Church of Korea[3] NOTE: The Anglican church has many congregations and clergy that support LGBT rights.
- Church of South India[4][5] NOTE: The CSI has ministries specifically for transgender rights and many clergy support gay rights.
- United Church of Christ in Japan[6]
Africa
North America
- Affirming Pentecostal Church International
- Anglican Church of Canada
- The Anthem Network
- Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists
- AXIOS - Eastern and Orthodox Gay and Lesbian Christians
- Catholic Apostolic Church in North America
- Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
- Community of Christ
- Ecclesia Gnostica
- Ecumenical Catholic Church
- Ecumenical Catholic Communion
- Episcopal Church (United States)
- Eucharistic Catholic Church
- Evangelical Anglican Church In America
- Evangelical Catholic Church
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
- The Evangelical Network
- Friends General Conference
- Friends of Jesus Fellowship in America
- Global Alliance of Affirming Apostolic Pentecostals
- Inclusive Orthodox Church
- Independent Catholic Christian Church
- Independent Greek Orthodox Church of the United States
- Metropolitan Community Church
- Old Catholic Church
- Presbyterian Church (USA)
- Progressive Christian Alliance
- Reconciling Pentecostals International
- Reformed Anglican Catholic Church
- Reformed Church in America (NOTE: Somewhat. Varies by congregation and classis. Plus, the RCA denomination-wide official statement is still not affirming.)
- Restoration Church of Jesus Christ (Salt Lake City, Utah, USA) — a Latter Day Saint denomination
- Swedenborgian Church of North America
- The Progressive Episcopal Church
- United Catholic Church
- United Church of Christ
- United Church of Canada
- Unity Fellowship Church Movement
- Unity Church
Europe
- Austrian, German, Swiss and Dutch Old Catholic Church
- Austrian, Belgium, Netherlands and Poland Ecumenical Catholic Communion
- Belgium: United Protestant Church in Belgium
- Denmark: Church of Denmark
- France: United Protestant Church of France
- Finland: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland[8]
- Germany: German Lutheran, reformed and united churches in Evangelical Church in Germany
- Iceland: Church of Iceland
- Netherlands: Protestant Church in the Netherlands
- Norway: Church of Norway
- Portugal - Affirming Pentecostal Church International
- Scotland: Scottish Episcopal Church,[9] Church of Scotland [10] NOTE:The BBC article refers to the fact that in 2015, The General Assembly approved a deliverance entitled "Overture to the Barrier Act", which allows individual congregations to - depart from the church's traditional (and continuing) stand that homosexuality is a sin; should they determine that a homosexual in a civil partnership is the most qualified applicant for the job of parish minister. This right to 'depart' is conditional on the approval of the Presbytery to which the congregation belongs. The Church of Scotland is not formally an LGBT affirming church. The Church of Scotland voted to allow openly married gay pastors.[11]
- Sweden: Church of Sweden
- Switzerland: Swiss reformed churches in Swiss Reformed Church
- British Quakers
- Wales - Affirming Pentecostal Church International, Church in Wales[12] NOTE: The church bishops published prayers to follow a civil same-sex marriage, Changing Attitude within the Church in Wales[13]
- Albania - Affirming Pentecostal Church International
- Italy - Lutheran Evangelical Church in Italy (CELI)[14]
- Poland - Christian United Church in Poland
- United Kingdom - United Ecumenical Catholic Church, Church of England[15][16] NOTE: The church supports transgender members and allows prayers to follow a civil same-sex marriage, Changing Attitude - UK within the Church of England and Church of Ireland[17]
Central and South America
- Brazil - Affirming Pentecostal Church International
- Brazil - Catholic Diversity
- Brazil - Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil (since 1998)[18]
- Colombia - Affirming Pentecostal Church International
Australia
- Changing Attitude within the Anglican Church of Australia[19] NOTE: The Diocese of Perth, and other bodies, have voted to support same-sex relationships[20]
- Uniting Church in Australia
- United Ecumenical Catholic Church in Australia
New Zealand
- Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and Polynesia[21]
- Assemblies of God in New Zealand
- Methodist Church in New Zealand
- Metropolitan Community Church in New Zealand
- Ponsonby Baptist Church in Auckland, New Zealand
- Religious Society of Friends(Quakers) in New Zealand
- United Ecumenical Catholic Church in New Zealand
- Uniting Congregations in New Zealand
Congregations
- AChurch4Me (Chicago, Illinois, USA)
- New Day Worship Center (Toccoa, Georgia, USA)
- Broadway United Methodist Church (Indianapolis, Indianapolis, USA)
- Cathedral of Hope (Dallas, Texas, USA)
- Citichurch of Dallas (Dallas, Texas, USA)
- Christ Chapel of the Valley (Los Angeles, California, USA) - a member of the evangelical Christ Chapel Association of Churches
- Church of St. Luke and The Epiphany (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA) - Episcopal
- Church of the Valley (Van Nuys, California, USA) - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
- Glendale City Seventh-day Adventist Church (Glendale, California, USA)
- Glide Memorial Church (San Francisco, California, USA)
- Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church (San Francisco, California, USA)
- Grace Gospel Chapel (Seattle, Washington, USA)
- Seattle First Baptist Church (Seattle, Washington, USA)
- Hagia Sophia Gnostic Church (Seattle, Washington, USA) - Ecclesia Gnostica
- Light of Love Fellowship (St. Louis, Missouri, USA)
- Pullen Memorial Baptist Church (Raleigh, North Carolina, USA)
- Spirit of Joy Christian Church (Lakeville, Minnesota, USA) - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
- St. Mark's Anglican Church (Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico) - a bilingual congregation
- Tong-Kwang Light House Presbyterian Church (Taipei, Taiwan)
- University Baptist Church (Austin, Texas, USA)
- St. Paul's Anglican Church (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
- Wake Forest Baptist Church (Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA)
- Walnut Creek United Methodist Church (Walnut Creek, California, USA)
- Living Spirit United Methodist Church (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA)
- Greenland Hills United Methodist Church (Dallas, Texas, USA)
- Ekklesia Tou Theou (Church of God) (Cavite, Philippines)
- Olivet-Schwenkfelder United Church of Christ (East Norriton, Pennsylvania, USA)
- Red Willow Community Church (Seventh-day Adventist) (St. Albert, Alberta, Canada)
- Open Doors Community Church (Seoul, South Korea)
- Trinity Episcopal Church (St. Louis, Missouri, USA)
- Unity Fellowship of Christ Church (Los Angeles, California, USA)
Denomination-sanctioned programmes
The following denominations have LGBT-welcoming or affirming programmes, though not all churches within the denomination are necessarily members of the LGBT programme.
- Integrity and the OASIS are parachurch ministries, but operate under the official roof of the Episcopal Church USA and the Anglican Church of Canada. There are also official programmes identifying parishes in some dioceses.
- Supportive Communities Network — Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Church USA, and Mennonite Church Canada
- Open and Affirming — Christian Church (Disciples of Christ): Open and Affirming.
- GLAD Alliance - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
- Welcoming Community Network (WCN). — Community of Christ
- Reconciling in Christ — Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
- More Light — Presbyterian Church (USA)
- Open & Affirming, All are Welcome — Reformed Catholic Church (USA) (International):
- Room for All — Reformed Church in America
- Affirm United/S'affirmer Ensemble — United Church of Canada
- Open and Affirming (ONA) — United Church of Christ
- Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns
Unofficial programmes
- Axios - an unofficial Orthodox-Christian association for LGBT Orthodox-Christians and same-sex-marriage activists working to promote recognition of same-sex marriage in the Church.
- Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons — Latter-day Saints
- Call to Action - Roman Catholic Church
- Changing Attitude (International) – group working for LGBT affirmation within the Anglican Communion. Conducts worship, training and workshops.
- Changing Attitude (UK) – same as above but particularly for the Church of England.
- DignityUSA - Roman Catholic Church. Works for inclusiveness but is not associated with particular congregations, nor is supported by the Church hierarchy. A separate organisation called Courage International promotes chastity amongst LGBT Catholics, and is supported by the Church hierarchy as it submits to the Church's official position on homosexuality.
- Fortunate Families - Roman Catholic Church
- Inclusive Church (multi-denominational, but principally Church of England/Anglican) – working for a range of inclusion within the Anglican Communion.
- Nazarene Ally - Church of the Nazarene - seeks to promote dialogue between the Nazarene Church and the LGBT community, address policy language, and promote inclusion of LGBT members in rhythms and life of the Church.
- Reconciling Ministries Network — United Methodist Church
- SDA Kinship International — Seventh-day Adventist Church
- Welcoming and Affirming — Baptist
- Covenant Network - Pentecostal
- Pink Menno Campaign — Mennonite Church USA
- GALA (Gay and Lesbian Acceptance) - Community of Christ. An unofficial organization of LGBT members of the church.
- Emergence International - Christian Science. An unofficial organization for LGBT members of the movement.
- The Fellowship of Reconciling Pentecostals International - Pentecostal
Programmes not affiliated with any particular denomination
- Gay Christian Network (GCN) is a "nonprofit ministry supporting Christians worldwide who happen to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT)". GCN is an ecumenical ministry, welcoming Christians from a wide variety of backgrounds. GCN was founded in 2001 by Justin Lee, and has sought to "build a supportive community to support fellow gay Christians in their Christian walks."
- The Anthem Network (AN) is a "Sacramental, Evangelical and Charismatic network of Churches, Church Plants, Affiliated Congregations and Clergy. It was founded in 2014 in Los Angeles, California by the Rev. Drew Haywood."
- Freedom2b is an Australian-based organisation that assists LGBTI people from Christian backgrounds on their journey to reconciling their faith, sexuality and gender identity.
- Institute for Welcoming Resources (a programme of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force)
- Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (UK)
- Accepting Evangelicals – Evangelical parishes accepting LGBT people
- Evangelical Fellowship for Lesbian and Gay Christians (UK)
- European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups
- Evangelicals Concerned: Gay and Transgender Christians
- Sybils: UK group for transgender Christians
- Nuntiare et Recreare: Russian multi-denominational organization
- LGBT Christians (Russian: ЛГБТ-христиане Украины): Ukrainian multi-denominational organization
- Believe Out Loud - an online network that empowers Christians to work for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality, found at .
- LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descent (FLoAD)
- The Evangelical Network
- Strength in Weakness Ministry
- Transfaith Online
- The NALT (Not All Like That) Christians
See also
- List of Christian denominational positions on homosexuality
- List of LGBT-related organizations, including religious organizations
References
- ↑ "Bishop Soto tells NACDLGM: 'Homosexuality is Sinful'". catholic.org. Retrieved 29 September 2008.
- 1 2 3 4 "Gay and Lesbian Churches and Synagogues". GLBTQ.
- ↑ "Why Korea’s Christian churches are leading the anti-gay charge | Daily Xtra". www.dailyxtra.com. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ↑ "CSI to ordain transgender a priest". The Hindu. 2012-02-06. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ↑ "Church of South India | CSI Chennai Diocese | CSI Diocese of Madras". www.csimadrasdiocese.org. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ↑ Nakamura, Rev Yoshiki (2013). "A Pastor's Passion: Building a Church Where All People Pray Together" (PDF). sccmission.net. SOGI. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
- ↑ "Anglican Church Says Yes To Homosexuals". www.enca.com. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
- ↑ "Laity drive Finnish Lutherans to recognize same-sex marriages". Episcopal Cafe. 2010-11-13. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
- ↑ "Episcopal Church Scotland commits to same-sex marriage". KaleidoScot. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
- ↑ "Church of Scotland votes to allow gay ministers in civil partnerships". BBC News. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
- ↑ Scotl, Severin Carrell; correspondent (2015-05-21). "Church of Scotland opens door for appointment of married gay ministers". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
- ↑ Anna, Morrell, (2016-04-06). "Same-sex marriage statement". The Church in Wales. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
- ↑ "Changing Attitude in Wales". Changing Attitude. 2013-08-07. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
- ↑ "Italian Lutherans say Yes to the blessing of homosexual couples". European Protestant News Network. 2011-05-16. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
- ↑ "Diocese of Blackburn seeks new liturgy for trans service". www.churchtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
- ↑ "Church offers prayers after same-sex weddings - but bans gay priests from marrying". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
- ↑ "Changing Attitude". Changing Attitude. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
- ↑ Cardoso, Fernando. O evangelho inclusivo e a homossexualidade. São Paulo: Clube dos Autores, 2010.
- ↑ "Changing Attitude Australia Inc". www.changingattitude.org.au. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
- ↑ "Perth Anglicans vote to recognise same-sex relationships". ABC News. 2013-10-07. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
- ↑ "NZ Anglican Church may bless gay couples". NewsComAu. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
External links
- Assemblies of God
- Affirming Pentecostal Church International
- Beyond Ex-Gay Group for survivors of Ex-Gay ministries
- Catholic Diversity
- Changing Attitude (International)
- Changing Attitude (UK) – group working for Gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender affirmation within the Anglican Communion
- Christ Chapel of the Valley (Los Angeles) - a evangelical church welcoming Gay, Straight, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgendered Christians
- Christian Gays
- ChristianLesbians.com
- Evangelical Fellowship for Lesbian and Gay Christians (UK)
- Evangelicals Concerned: Gay and Transgender Christians
- European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups
- Gay Christian Europe Largest welcoming Christian church directory in Europe, multilingual
- The Gay Christian Network Interdenominational organization providing online support, community, and resources for LGBT Christians
- GayChristianSurvivors - Refuting anti-gay doctrines & traditions with the Word of God.
- gaychurch.org Largest welcoming Christian church directory in the world and much more
- Global Alliance of Affirming Apostolic Pentecostals Gay Apostolic Pentecostals
- Homosexuals and Church (German Ecumenical Group)
- Inclusive Church (Anglican)
- Integrity (US Episcopal)
- Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (UK)
- SoulForce — non-denominational organization which promotes LGBT-inclusion in churches
- The Evangelical Network
- Whosoever: An Online Magazine for GLBT Christians
- Christians Gay
- King of Peace Church St. Petersburg (FL)
- The Gathering Place Atlanta
- The Progressive Episcopal Church
- AChurch4Me
- New Day Worship Center
- Broadway United Methodist Church
- Christ Chapel of the Valley
- Church of the Valley
- Glendale City Seventh-day Adventist Church
- Seattle First Baptist Church
- Hagia Sophia Gnostic Church
- Spirit of Joy Christian Church
- St. Mark's Anglican Church
- Ekklesia Tou Theou (Church of God)
- Olivet-Schwenkfelder United Church of Christ
- Red Willow Community Church (Seventh-day Adventist)
- Open Doors Community Church
- Transfaith Online
- Not All Like That
- Strength in Weakness
- Nazarene Ally
- Catholic Diversity
- The Anthem Network
- Ecclesia Gnostica
- Eucharistic Catholic Church
- The Evangelical Network
- Friends of Jesus Fellowship
- Inclusive Orthodox Church
- Progressive Christian Alliance
- Reconciling Pentecostals International
- Accepting Evangelicals
- Changing Attitude
- Reformed Church in America
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