At our monthly Sydney chapter meeting we discussed these questions. Here is what people thought….what do you think?

Freedom 2 B(e) Notes

3rd July, 2009

Are the needs of GLBT people of faith from church backgrounds different from those who are not?

The common needs are:

• self-acceptance

• acceptance by family

• acceptance in community

• a peer group to share their journey with

• finding relationships

• taking an ethical journey, developing a personal “code of conduct” or sense of morality

• overcoming discrimination/stigma

• coming out

• safe sex education

The specific needs of GLBT people from church backgrounds are:

• the need for a ‘transitional space’ where GLBT Christians can safely begin to be themselves, in terms of their sexuality and their faith, without fear of either ‘being cruised’ or of being condemned to hell

• the need for like-minded people to know and to talk to

• support for parents and family members

• counselling services that respect both their sexuality and their faith

• resources to assist in the process of reconciling faith and practice with sexuality

• education around making choices about sexual activity, including safe-sex. This education may be remedial in nature, because often they have been taught that safe-sex is either abstinence or within heterosexual marriage

• non-judgmental safe space within the church

• skills for effectively and respectfully communicating their stories with church leaders

• support in “coming out” as a Christian

• finding congregations that welcome GLBT persons

• finding GLBT affirming congregations

• GLBT-friendly discipleship

• an advocate, someone who will speak for GLBT people within the church

• an advocate, someone who will speak for people of faith within the GLBT community

If a program for GLBT people of faith was being designed what advice would you give?

• workers must commit to showing respect for the religious beliefs of each individual, and to listen carefully to each individual’s story

• identify stakeholders and consult widely

• have a database of services to refer to – eg. where to go for spiritual counselling

• have objective resources available from different faiths, eg. about what the Bible teaches on relevant issues

• have an integrated approach

• outreach programs – creating broader awareness that GLBT people of faith exist and have specific needs

• read biographies of people of GLBT people of faith

• “go the distance” … be prepared to walk with GLBT people of faith on their difficult journeys

• develop a peer mentoring programme

• have an attitude of openness and understanding

the main purpose of the discussion was to identify the specific needs of GLBT people from faith/religious backgrounds. How do we differ? What do we need to make the rest of the GLBT community aware of. If you are gay or lesbian and have an addiction to peanuts…there will be a support group for you……so what should there be for us

thanks Mags for your insights.

Good point Sandy……….thats what made me think that a level headed non anti homosexual church counsellor would be great, to deal with every aspect of whats going on, I had it myself and it was soooooooo healing and got me to a place where the anti isnt as big an issue when I face it.

Great two cents girl.

I remember when we got the first few testimonials on this site where someone had come to terms with their sexuality and faith relatively easy

Yes speaking from a youth perspective (you’re not the only one that can draw the age card AVB 😆 ) the “issues” that have arisen for GLBT people in relation to their faith tend to be different in many cases to those who are older, due in large part to an incresed acceptance of homosexuality in the church and by the world at large. I’m not suggesting that generation X and those before it had it tougher (though in many ways they did) just that the issues have altered.

A big one that I think will emerge is identity. In former years the boundaries between lesbian, gay, butch, femme, transgender, transvestite etc were ridged–or more ridged than they are now. There seems to be a shift towards being “queer” as an all-encompassing label without the need to further define oneself. It might not have a cataclysmic effect on the Chruch or faith struggles but it is a component of the GLBT experience which needs to be addressed by those working with GLBT people whether in a religious sense or otherwise. It’s also HUGE in the sense that you can’t get away with making assumptions that someone is gay or a lesbian or gender-queer or sleeping with men or with women just because they identify as queer. Those working with GLBT people will have to broaden their field kits and their minds as new ways of expressing sexuality and identity ermerge.

Also, incidently, if Kinsey is right, if and when homosexuality is fully accepted in society you’ll probably end up with a hell of a lot of more openly bisexual people–esepically women. Bisexuality has been something the church has to one extent or another convieniently ignored to this point.