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| Spiritual
Issues This page was last updated on 11/15/07. If you know of errors please click here to let us know. |
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Some young people find themselves embraced fully by their faith communities when they come out as a sexual minority. Others struggle with a seemingly irreconcilable discord between the teachings of their community of worship and the reality of their attractions or identity. Many churches, synagogues and non-profit groups are available to support them lovingly as they journey to sort out the discord. Faith-based organizations serving gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their families – Catholic, Evangelical Christian, Jewish, Muslim and countless others – can be found through the resources that follow. We did not list organizations that serve specific denominations, simply for lack of space.
Listen to:
"How Could Anyone" (3:09)
by Libby Roderick - on
How Could Anyone. (2005)
http://www.libbyroderick.com/
This is also posted on our Bigotry, Prejudice, Homophobia & Heterosexism and Resources for K-12 Teachers & Curriculum Specialists resources pages.
Multifaith Works: building a community of compassion by mobilizing
volunteers from many spiritual and cultural backgrounds to provide practical
and emotional support, and housing, for people living with AIDS or other
life-threatening illnesses. Through all its programs, Multifaith Works
promotes understanding and acceptance of human diversity.
"And God Loves Each One" is a booklet "for people who wonder about sexual orientation, who wonder about the religious view that it's wrong to be gay. It's about lighting a spark of learning in your church and community. It's about growing and bringing gay and straight people together-united by their profound faith that God indeed loves each one." http://www.godloveseachone.org
Belief, Faith and Mythology page: Earth is filled with numerous beliefs and religions. Many churches, synagogues, and other belief organizations have solidly supported the gay community for decades. It is a common myth that the religious community and the gay community are polar opposites. Quite to the contrary, the gay community exists in every faith and belief system. http://www.gaylibrary.com/area/GLbelief.htm
"The Blue Book: What We Wish We Had Known: Breaking the Silence, Moving Toward Understanding, A Resource for Individuals and Families" This 90-page booklet from Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco (NY), in a question and answer format. There's a whole section on theological issues. Available free online or in hard copy for $3. Go to http://www.pcmk.org ... click on "resources" and then on "Blue Book"
Darkness Calls: This comic book, inspired, written and illustrated by Steve Sanderson, a professional Aboriginal (native Canadian) youth cartoonist, is a great resource on suicide prevention for youth, visual learners and hard to reach populations. It’s the story of a teenager that feels socially isolated and has difficulty at school. Even though Kyle has tremendous artistic talent and the support of a good friend he finds one day just too overwhelming and considers taking his own life. It’s the story of the struggle between good and evil over the spirits of youth. The story was previewed with health professionals and youth focus groups for authentic characters and language. From the Healthy Aboriginal Network, 328 E 32nd Ave, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5V 2Y4; 604-876-0243; http://www.thehealthyaboriginal.net
“Faith
in Our Families: Parents, Families & Friends Talk About Religion &
Homosexuality”:
an affirming brochure for families about the diversity of religious
perspectives on homosexuality. Available in print ($1.90) or online. Phone:
202-467-8180; Web site:
http://www.pflag.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Publications/Faith_Families.pdf
Fortunate Families: "Catholic parents who love and affirm their lesbian daughters and gay sons are Fortunate Families. This website will help Catholic parents of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender children find support and resources and a place to share their story with other Fortunate Families. Grounded in Catholic tradition, Fortunate Families ministers primarily with Catholic parents of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender daughters and sons—but welcomes families of all faiths." Go to: http://www.fortunatefamilies.com/
Gay By God: a web site designed "to promote the belief that we are ALL created by God and in God's image (Genesis 1:27, 28)." It contained state-by-state listings of GLBT-affirming churches, a page with international links to GLBT-friendly groups by denomination, a brochure entitled "Gay or Christian? You can be both!" and more: http://www.gaybygod.org
HeartStrong:
a non-sectarian, national organization which provides information and support
to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people and their allies who attend –
or have attended -- or are employed by religious schools, kindergarten through
college. 1011 Boren Avenue #199, Seattle, WA 98104; Phone: 206-621-9129; Email:
heartstrong@heartstrong.org;
Web site: http://www.heartstrong.org
Made in God's Image: A Resource for Dialogue about the Church and Gender Differences by Ann Thompson Cook. This wonderful booklet introduces the stories of transgender and intersex people and addresses their place in their spiritual communities. $5.95. Order on the web. https://ssl27.pair.com/bgroup/madeinimage/order-form.html
Online Christian Gay Youth Alliance: A new youth organization/group is in the preliminary stages in the central valley of California called the Christian Gay Youth Alliance or the CGYA; its based out of the central valley and currently is online only. We intend to turn it in to a face to face group as time goes on. Please take a look at the websites: http://www.myspace.com/gaychristianyouth and http://groups.yahoo.com/group/christianyouthalliance/
Reconciling Ministries Network: This web site lists Methodist, United Church of Christ, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Baptist, Disciples, United Church of Canada, Unitarian Universalist, and Brethren/Mennonite groups that welcome Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender individuals and their families: http://www.rmnetwork.org
Religion and Faith: This
page from the Human Rights Campaign offers speeches about communities of
worship welcoming their gay, lesbian, bi and trans congregants as well as
links to some interesting blog sites.
http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm?Section=Religion4&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=23&ContentID=31350
Religion and Spirituality page:
These sections of the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual area and the Transgender area
of the DMOZ web site offer essays and links for a variety of world religions
and their support -- or lack of support -- for GLBT folks. http://www.dmoz.org/Society/Gay,_Lesbian,_and_Bisexual/Religion_and_Spirituality/
and http://www.dmoz.org/Society/Transgendered/Religion_and_Spirituality/
Religious
Tolerance: a web site that
lists the policies of Christian and non-Christian faiths, world-wide,
regarding gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people: http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_chur.htm
TEACH Ministries (To Educate About the Consequences of Homophobia): Mary Lou and Bob Wallner lost their lesbian Christian daughter Anna to suicide in February of 1997. They now work to see the church accept and welcome GLBT people. http://www.teach-ministries.org