LGBT+ and Christian: The 101 Series
LGBT+ and Christian: The 101 Series
One: Can you be LGBT+ and Christian?
The question of whether it is possible to be both LGBT+ and Christian is one that many face, often with conflicting emotions and voices around them. In a world where many parts of the Church have historically been hostile or dismissive of LGBT+ people, it is essential to address this issue with clarity, compassion, and a commitment to understanding. OneBodyOneFaith believes that being LGBT+ is not only compatible with Christianity, but that it can also be a profound expression of God’s love and diversity of creation.
A Theology of Love and Inclusion
At the heart of Christian faith lies a fundamental truth: God is love. This truth isn’t just a theological concept, but a lived reality that embraces every human being, irrespective of their sexuality or gender identity. In 1 John 4:7-8, we are told that "everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." God's love isn’t conditional on sexuality or gender identity; rather, it is an unconditional embrace that calls all people into relationship with God and one another.
The Bible speaks often of love, justice, and inclusion, and these principles guide our understanding of what it means to be fully human in the image of God. For LGBT+ Christians, these foundational teachings of love should be the starting point for any theological exploration. Love welcomes, it heals, and it unites.
Reinterpreting Scripture
The Bible has been used at times to argue that being LGBT+ is incompatible with Christianity. However, many scholars, theologians, and clergy who are committed to the authority of Scripture have come to a different understanding. Passages, such as those from Leviticus or Paul’s letters, have often been interpreted in ways that do not always align with contemporary understandings of sexuality and gender. What is crucial here is that we approach these texts with humility and an awareness of the cultural and historical contexts in which they were written.
For example, when Jesus speaks about love and relationships, he focuses on the nature of commitment and mutual respect—values that can apply to any loving partnership, regardless of the partners' gender. The most important commandment, according to Jesus, is to love God and love your neighbour as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). This commandment transcends any human categories and challenges us to see each other as beloved children of God.
The Gift of Diversity
One of our core beliefs, as members, staff and volunteers of OneBodyOneFaith, is that diversity within the Body of Christ is a beautiful reflection of God. The Church is meant to be a place where all people can find belonging, a place where our differences are not a source of division but a source of celebration. LGBT+ people, like everyone else, are created in God’s image, and their identities are a part of the vast tapestry of human diversity that reveals God’s infinite creativity.
To be LGBT+ and Christian is not a contradiction. It is, rather, an affirmation of the truth that God’s love is wide enough to include all people, all experiences, and all identities. When LGBT+ people are able to embrace all that makes them unique, they are engaging in the same journey of faith that every Christian is called to: seeking a deeper relationship with God, living out love, and offering service to the world.
The Call to Belong
Being LGBT+ and Christian is also about belonging. It’s about recognising that God created us all, each with our unique gifts, identities, and experiences. It’s about being part of a community that values the person, not the label. As Christians, we are called to love one another, to bear witness to the power of God’s grace, and to walk alongside each other in our shared humanity. When we recognise the inherent worth of all people, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity, we embody the very gospel message of inclusivity, grace, and unconditional love.
Being LGBT+ and Christian isn’t just OK – it is a beautiful, life-giving expression of God’s love for all people. We are not called to conform to human-made expectations but to live out the fullness of our identities as beloved children of God. And in doing so, we reflect the truth of God’s inclusive and unconditional love for the world.
