Whether homosexuality is or is not actually contrary to nature is not what I’m talking about here—in much of a sense, it is entirely irrelevant. Listening to the stories of many LGBT Christians you may hear that, for them, falling in love with a member of the same sex is not unnatural, in fact, that it is much more natural then trying to do otherwise. Yet, even if homosexuality IS contrary to nature, does this necessarily mean that it is wrong, or unbiblical? As Acts 11 shows us, that which is unnatural is that which is the good news for us. As Romans 11 points out, God acts in an unnatural way, to graft us in to Israel, into she whom God is wedded. And one just needs to look at this genealogy of Christ in Matthew—Ruth, Bathsheba, Mary. In mentioning these women and their irregular pregnancies, Matthew portrays God as capable of, even delighting in, the use of irregular sexual unions for Gods own purposes.
Contrary to Nature: The Identity of the People of God by Brandy Daniels
How To Love Myself Or A Person Who Is LGBTQ
Even if you don't know it yet, you are at the beginning of an amazing, transformative journey. The fact that you are here shows that you are curious and seeking more information, even if you think you're going to disagree with what we have to say. Fortunately for all of us, there are a lot of resources already available online and in print and other media that examine and discuss the intersection of faith and LGBTQ identity. We've gathered some of them that we've come across or that have been passed along to us, as well as a few things we've created ourselves. We recognize that these are complex things to think about, and you would be an unusual case if you simply skimmed through some materials we've provided and walked away holding a completely different view than you started with, but one of the best places to start is simply seeing what other people have to say. Feel free to poke around, and as always, feel free to contact us for any reason.
I'm in Crisis!
The Trevor Project operates a nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth. If you or a friend are feeling lost or alone, call The Trevor Helpline at 866-4U-TREVOR. There is hope, there is help.
Good Places to Start
- Gay Christian Network www.gaychristian.net
- A nonprofit ministry serving Christians who happen to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, and those who care about them.
- Trans Christians www.transchristians.org
- A good place to start if you're wondering what that T in LGBTQ really means, and how trans people fit in to the Christian faith
- Gay Christian Survival Group www.gaychristiansurvivors.com
- A Conservative Fundamentalist Christian minister's intensive and prayerful study on the issue of homosexuality as the Bible tells it.
- Inclusive Orthodoxy www.truthsetsfree.net
- Calling for the Church to extend its inclusivity upon the foundation of Christian orthodoxy, and to embrace the radical implications of the Gospel message, not despite Scripture and Tradition, but in light of it.
- Sister Carol Perry / Marble's GIFTS Group
- Sister Carol Perry is a Catholic nun who worked at Marble Collegiate Church--the oldest Protestant church in North America--for over a decade. She routinely speaks with GIFTS, the church's LGBT fellowship. Her classic sermon, "What The Bible Says About Homosexuality" is a great place to start for affirmation or something you can give to people in your life who have theological questions.
- Marble Church offers a CD of the talk for $10. If that's too much for you to pay, contact us and we'll talk to Marble about a payment plan, discount, or free copy.
What About Being Ex-Gay?
- Beyond Ex-Gay www.beyondexgay.com
- An online community and resource for those who have survived ex-gay experiences.
- Truth Wins Out www.truthwinsout.org
- Aims to expose the dangerous practice of ex-gay therapy.
- This Is What Love In Action Looks Like Film Blog | Extended Preview
- A documentary about the ex-gay program Love in Action
Affirming Churches
We are working on partnerships with churches and religious organizations around the country. In the meantime, here's a list to get you started.
Another good place to start is an LGBT Center in your area. Sometimes the wide range of services and programs they provide can be overwhelming but the good thing is that they almost always have faith-based resources. Go ahead, Google "LBGT Center in ..."!
Other organizations you may find helpful
- Whosever www.whosoever.org
- An online magazine for LGBTQ Christians
- HeartStrong www.heartstrong.org
- Hope and help for LGBTQ students from religious educational institutions worldwide
- Evangelicals Concerned www.ecwr.org
- Provides safe and comfortable places for people to reconcile their Christian faith with their sexuality.
- Courage UK www.courage.org.uk
- Organization in the UK whose objective is to work out Christian discipleship together, in a way that is consistent with the teaching of Scripture, especially for those who are gay or lesbian.