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Resources for LGBTQ Christians, Allies, and More



Sometimes people are surprised when they learn that one can be a Christian and affirm/support the LGBTQ community, or even be an LGBTQ Christian.

 Many people of faith I have known, regardless of denomination, come from a faith where being anything other than cisgender and heterosexual is considered wrong, sinful, a choice, or even nonexistent. Some employ a "don't ask/don't tell" policy, forcing LGBTQ people to live in the shadows. Some treat LGBTQ people in a way that is outright hateful, with violence & vitriol. Some choose a more subtle form of alienation, proclaiming that they just want to guide LGBTQ people "back to Jesus" by showing contempt for their "lifestyle" or professing a "hate the sin, love the sinner" view. Some try to soften the wound by saying they love LGBTQ people, they just think that they shouldn't be able to get married or should live out a life of celibacy, that's all. It comes as no surprise to me that because of these harmful attitudes, many people within the LGBTQ community feel that they cannot live a life true their identity and still be a child of God.

 Some people believe the Bible condemns LGBTQ relationships, some do not, and some waffle on the subject. Theology is a complex entity. There are hundreds of translations to the Bible, with the "original texts" themselves having been written in three (what I would classify as ancient) languages. Regardless of translation, the most common version(s) of the canonical Bible exclude several texts (what are referred to as "the lost texts"), indicating that regardless of intention, the Bible has always undergone alterations. It is a simple truth that the Bible was written by many different people with myriad different experiences and viewpoints in a variety of historical and cultural contexts. Subsequently, modern interpretations of its Word are just as numerous. Simply put, no one's faith is the same as another person's. One's faith is incredibly personal, and it is up to you to decide what you believe and why.

***If you are an LGBTQ+ Christian, please let me know if you have personal recommendations--as I am a cis/het woman, my perspective is limited and you are the superior judge of whether something is helpful or not!***

Although the people listed below have a commonality in that they champion LGBTQ+ inclusion & affirmation in the Christian church, some do offer differing opinions regarding interpretations of specific Scripture or doctrine, so keep that in mind. Also, some of the links to books take you to Amazon (bleh) because I couldn't find a link to an alternative seller--if you find another place to purchase those books, preferably a small, queer-owned bookstore, feel free to let me know in the comments! 

Additionally, although I use the word "resources", several pieces of content are from the same person, so I have organized several elements of this post by the individual providing the resource. This is not to call a person a "resource", as that would be dehumanizing. 
To the LGBTQ community: I follow Jesus, and the Jesus I know does not look at LGBTQ people as sinful or wrong. Your identity is not your choice, but His, because He created you to be who you are, to love who you love, and to have the life journey that you have. He will love you whether you come to Him or you keep your distance, whether you follow him or you don't. You do not have to have all the answers. You do not need to act a certain way or be a certain person. Nothing you do or don't do affects His love for you. Whoever you are, He is for you. 

 To the church community: your job is to welcome, to protect, and to love as Jesus would. We can always be better at this, and we are always learning. Learn from this community. Let them teach us how to do our job. 
So, whether you are:
  • a Christian who carries shame/guilt about your identity
  • an LGBTQ Christian who is comfortable in both those identities and looking for support
  • an ally (Christian or otherwise) looking to support LGBTQ Christians
  • an LGBTQ person interested in exploring Christianity
I hope this post can be of some interest and/or help to you. :)

Writers/Speakers

 Carolyn Wysinger is a masculine of center womyn writer and Social Entrepreneur. She has created queer events such as LA’s NFL Sunday Funday and the Long Beach Blue Party. She has served on the steering committees for BUTCHVoices and Black Lesbians United. She is a board member of the NIA Collective for same-gender loving women of African Descent. Her first book, Knockturnal Emissions: Thoughts on #race #sexuality #gender & #community is currently available from Glover Lane Press.
Glennon Doyle has written three memoirs about alcoholism, relationships, motherhood, Christian faith, and self-love: Love Warrior (2016), Carry On, Warrior (2012), and Untamed (2020). She is the creator of the online community Momastery and the founder & president of Together Rising, a nonprofit for people in crisis. In November 2016, she announced her relationship with soccer star Abby Wambach. They married in May 2017.   
Eliel Cruz is a bisexual activist, speaker and writer on religion, LGBTQ issues, and culture. He is the Director of Communications for New York City Anti-Violence Project, an organization dedicated to ending violence against LGBTQ people and HIV-affected communities. He is the creator of #FaithfullyLGBT, a hashtag, photo series, and organization promoting the stories of LGBTQ people of faith. He then launched #TitheTrans, a fundraising campaign encouraging people from faith traditions that tithe to donate their tithe money towards gender affirming surgeries for trans people.
Jen Hatmaker is an American Christian author, speaker, blogger, and television presenter. She headlines women's events, parenting and adoption conferences, and participates with her husband in a variety of social service ministries such as the Legacy Collective, which has been active in Texas hurricane recovery. In April 2016, she called for the full inclusion of LGBT people into the Christian community. 
  • Her first Facebook post calling for the full inclusion of LGBTQ people into the Christian community (2016)
  • Her husband's Facebook post about the amount of research that went into this decision (2016)
  • Her interview with Religion News about her beliefs, including her views of LGBTQ people in the context of her faith (2016)
  • Her Facebook post asserting that Jesus came to affirm the LGBTQ community, among others (2018)
  • In 2020, Jen's daughter Sydney publicly came out as a gay woman. They did a podcast episode together discussing her journey as a queer Christian. 

Julie Rodgers is a writer, speaker, and advocate for LGBTQ people in Christian communities. She has served as an advisor to religious leaders, college administrators, and LGBTQ students at Christian colleges. In 2018, she married wife Amanda Hite. 


David P. Gushee is an evangelical ethicist, author, and public intellectual. He has served as president of Evangelicals for Human Rights, an organization advocating for an end to torture; this organization has since become the New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good. 
  • His most recent book, Changing Our Mind: A call from America's leading evangelical ethics scholar for full acceptance of LGBT Christians in the Church, chronicles his personal and theological journey as he changes his mind about LGBTQ inclusion in the Church (2014) 
  • His article for The Washington Post about why evangelicals should support the LGBTQ community (2014)
Matthew Vines is a LGBT activist, gay Christian, and author of God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships (2014). He also founded The Reformation Project, a Bible-based, Christian grassroots organization that works to promote inclusion of LGBTQ people by reforming church teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity, envisioning a global church that fully affirms LGBTQ people.
  • His speech given at his church about accepting gay Christians (2012).
  • His interview with The New York Times (2012).
Mel White is an American clergyman and author. After years of writing for the Christian right, he came out as gay and devoted himself full-time to minister to LGBTQ people. He chronicles his journey in Stranger at the Gate: To Be Gay and Christian in America. 
Sarah Bessey is a Christian author, speaker, and essayist, her most popular books being Out of Sorts: Making Peace with an Evolving Faith and Jesus Feminist. She is also the co-curator and co-host of the annual Evolving Faith Conference and serves as President of the Board for Heartline Ministries in Haiti.
Rachel Held Evans was an American Christian columnist, blogger and author.
Lisa Salazar is a British-Colombian writer, graphic designer, author and photographer currently living in Vancouver. She was diagnosed with gender dysphoria after living for 25 years as a husband and father. It would take another ten years before she felt comfortable in her identity as a transgender woman as well as a Christian. In addition to publishing an autobiography, Transparently: Behind the Scenes of a Good Life, she gives sensitivity workshops at Gay Christian Network, companies, high schools, and churches. She also has two blogs, Lisa Salazar and Transparently. 
    Shannon TL Kearns is a playwright, writer, speaker, theologian, and the first transgender ordained priest in the Old Catholic Church. He is the founder and Artistic Director of Uprising Theatre Company in Minneapolis, MN, and co-founder of Queer Theology. Shannon’s plays include Line of Sight, Twisted Deaths, The Resistance of My Skin, and Who Has Eyes To See. He has also published the ebook Guide to Recovering from Fundamentalism. 
    Dr. Tony Campolo is an American sociologist, pastor, author, public speaker and former spiritual advisor to U.S. President Bill Clinton. He has become a leader of the Red-Letter Christian movement, which aims to put emphasis on the teachings of Jesus.
    • His open letter affirming LGBTQ relationships 
    • His interview at The Evangelical Network Conference, where he apologizes to the LGBT community for waiting so long to fully affirm gay marriage
    • His interview with Premier Christianity about why gay Christians should be fully accepted into the Church
    • His wife Peggy's interview with Queer Theology on how her affirmation of LGBTQ people influenced her husband's views

    Musicians



    Trey Pearson is an American singer-songwriter, and founder of the Christian rock band Everyday Sunday. He currently produces independent pop music as a solo artist. After struggling for almost two decades with his sexuality, Pearson publicly came out as gay in May 2016.

    • His interview with Billboard magazine about dealing with hate from evangelicals as a queer Christian artist (2017)
    • The letter in 614 Magazine (2018) 
    • His interview with Pacific Standard magazine about his faith and sexuality (2019)
    • His music video for "Love is Love", a song he wrote as "a tribute to the queer safe spaces that I have found in gay bars and dance clubs, where everyone is welcome to come as they are, and not be judged." 
    Vicky Beeching is a British musician and religious commentator, best known for her work in the American contemporary worship music genre. She began speaking out in favor of gay marriage beginning in December 2013. The following year, she came out as a lesbian. In 2018, she published a memoir, Undivided: Coming Out, Becoming Whole, and Living Free from Shame. 

    • Her coming-out interview with The Independent about how God loves her just the way she is (2014)
    • Her speech at the Gay Christian Network's annual conference in January 2015
    • Her keynote message at the Reformation Project in November 2015
    • Her interview with Religion News on the aftermath of coming out (2015)
    Ray Boltz is a contemporary Christian singer and songwriter. In September 2008, he publicly disclosed that he is gay. He currently lives with his partner, who is also his talent agent.

    • His interview with The New York Times about his sexuality and faith journey (2010) 
    Jennifer Knapp is an American-Australian folk rock, and formerly contemporary Christian musician. Her memoir about coming out, Facing the Music, was published October 2014. She is also the founder of Inside Out Faith, an initiative that seeks to tackle the issues of LGBT inclusion and affirmations in religious environments by engaging and educating communities of faith.
    • Her interview with The Advocate about coming out and reconciling her faith with her sexuality (2010)
    Websites/Other Resources
    • Queer Theology provides a supportive community and in-depth resources for queer Christians and straight supporters.
    • Affirming Church Directory is an online resource for people to locate and visit welcoming Christian churches around the world. They list congregations that meet on a regular basis in a physical location for worship, prayer, service and fellowship. All churches in this directory have confirmed that their congregation, in some form or fashion, is an affirming Christian church. 
    • QChristian (formerly the Gay Christian Network or GCN) is a diverse community with varied backgrounds, cultures, theologies and denominations, drawn together through a love of Christ and the belief that every LGBTQ+ person, indeed, every person is a beloved child of God. They offer a list of resources for LGBTQ Christians as well as for families/allies.  Some of their resources are specifically for people of color, as well as Spanish-speaking people. 
      • IMPORTANT: Their crisis resources can be found here! 
    • Queer Grace, an encyclopedia of online resources around LGBTQ life and faith.
    • UnClobber, a website taking the information rendered from Colby Martin's memoir UnClobber: Rethinking Our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality to new depths via videos, blogs, podcasts, and a free resource. 









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