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List of Christian denominations affirming LGBTQ people
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The list of Christian denominations affirming LGBTQ people lists denominations that consider LGBTQ people to be equal to other people and to have the same human rights in society and in the Church, or that leave it up to each local church to determine its position on the subject. This recognition manifests itself primarily in support for LGBTQ rights, the ordination of LGBTQ ministers and the blessing or same-sex marriage.
History
On May 1, 1972, the United Church of Christ in the San Francisco Bay Area approved the ordination of William R. Johnson, an openly gay seminarian.[1] He was ordained as a pastor at the Community Church San Carlos (United Church of Christ) on June 25, 1972.[2] In 1974, with the help of San Francisco State University professor Sally Miller Gearhart, he published the book Loving Women/Loving Men: Gay Liberation and the Church, which argues, among other things, that marriage is a covenant relationship, regardless of gender.[3]
In the context of the gay liberation movement and the declassification of homosexuality as a disease by the American Psychiatric Association in 1973, these studies prompted various Progressive Christians churches and denominations to abandon discriminatory interpretations for LGBTQ people and offer equal recognition within their churches.[4] In some denominations, this recognition has come through the development of affirming networks of churches, universities and seminaries. These include American Baptists Concerned for Sexual Minorities in 1972 (replaced by the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists in 1993) by members of the American Baptist Churches USA,[5] UCC Coalition for Lesbian/Gay Concerns in 1972 (renamed Open and Affirming Coalition UCC in 2014) by members of the United Church of Christ,[6] Lutherans Concerned for Gay People in 1974 (renamed ReconcilingWorks in 2012) by members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,[7] Presbyterians for Gay Concerns in 1974 and More Light Churches Network in 1992 (merged and renamed More Light Presbyterians in 1999) by members of the Presbyterian Church (USA),[8] Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian/Gay Concerns in 1975 and Reconciling Ministries Network in 1984 by members of the United Methodist Church,[9] Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests and Supportive Communities Network in 1976 by members of the Mennonite Church USA.[10] Some of these networks have become international, such as the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists and Reconciling Ministries Network.[11][12][13]
In the context of the legalization of same-sex marriage in various US states and countries during the 2000s, conceptual research into the meaning of marriage commitment in biblical texts prompted various churches to consider that the basis of Christian marriage and sexuality is to remain faithful in a covenant with one's spouse, regardless of gender.[14] After national reflection, some Progressive Christian denominations then began to allow the blessing or same-sex marriage, usually leaving it to each local church to decide.[15]
Characteristics
Affirming denominations generally have one or more of the following commitments:[16][17]
- Ordination of LGBTQ ministers
- Support for same-sex civil unions
- Blessing of same-sex unions
- Blessing of same-sex marriages
International
- Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists[11][12]
- Ecumenical Catholic Church[18][19]
- Metropolitan Community Church[20][21]
- Reconciling Ministries Network (Methodist)[13]
- Roman Catholic Church (not entirely affirming)
- The Covenant Network (Pentecostal)[22][23]
- The Affirming Church of God (Denomination)
Africa
Kenya
Uganda
South Africa
- The Upper Room Communion in Durban South Africa [24]
- Deo Gloria Global Apostolic Network in South Africa[25]
- Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa (NGK): Each local church determines its position.[26]
- Methodist Church of Southern Africa: The Church recognizes same-sex civil unions, but does not allow them to be celebrated in a local church.[27]
- Metropolitan Community Church[21]
- Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa: Each local church determines its position.[28]
- Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa[29]
North America
Canada
- Anglican Church of Canada: Each diocese determines its position.[30]
- Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists[11]
- Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America[31]
- Canadian Association for Baptist Freedoms[32]
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada: Each local church determines its position.[33]
Affirming network: ReconcilingWorks[34][35]
- Community of Christ : Each local church determines its position.[36]
Affirming network: Harmony[37]
- Mennonite Church Canada : Each local church determines its position.[38]
Affirming network: Supportive Communities Network[39]
- Presbyterian Church in Canada: Each local church determines its position.[40]
- United Church of Canada: Each local church determines its position.[41]
Affirming network: Affirm United/S'affirmer Ensemble[42]
United States
- Affirming Church of God (Pentecostal)
- Affirming Christian Fellowship[43]
- Alliance of Baptists[44]
- Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists[11]
- American National Catholic Church[45][46]
- American Baptist Churches USA:[47] Each local church determines its position.
- Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America[31]
- Catholic Apostolic Church in North America[48]
- Community of Christ: Each local church determines its position.[49]
Affirming network: Harmony[37]
- Christian Church (Disciples of Christ): Each local church determines its position.[50]
Affirming network: Alliance Q[51]
- Cooperative Baptist Fellowship: Leadership positions in the association are not open to married LGBTQ individuals, but each local church determines its own position.[52]
- Fellowship of Reconciling Pentecostals International[53]
- Episcopal Church (United States): Each local church determines its position.[54]
- Evangelical Anglican Church In America[55]
- Ecumenical Catholic Church[19]
- Ecumenical Catholic Communion[56]
- Evangelical Catholic Church[57]
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: Each local church determines its position.[58]
Affirming network: ReconcilingWorks[59][35]
- Friends General Conference (Quakers)[60]
- Mennonite Church USA: Each local church determines its position.[61]
Affirming network: Supportive Communities Network[39]
- Metropolitan Community Church[21]
- Moravian Church in America[62][63]
- National Association of Congregational Christian Churches: Each local church determines its position.[64][65]
- National Baptist Convention, USA: Each local church determines its position.[47]
- Progressive National Baptist Convention: Each local church determines its position.[47]
- Reconciling Ministries Network[13]
- Roman Catholic Church (allows blessings of individuals in same-sex relationships, but not the relationship itself. Same holds true for other relationships the church doesn't recognize such as remarried straight couples).
- Swedenborgian Church of North America[66]
- Unity Church[67]
- United Methodist Church: Each local church determines its position.[68]
- Presbyterian Church (USA): Each local church determines its position.[69]
Affirming network: More Light Presbyterians and "Covenant Network of Presbyterians"[70][71]
- Reformed Church in America: Each local church determines its position.[72]
Affirming network: Room for All[73]
- United Church of Christ: Each local church determines its position.[74]
Affirming network: Open and Affirming Coalition UCC[75]
- The Covenant Network (Pentecostal)[23]
Cuba
- Episcopal Church of Cuba[76]
- Fraternidad de Iglesias Bautistas de Cuba[77]
- Metropolitan Community Church[21]
El Salvador
Costa Rica
Mexico
- Ecumenical Catholic Church[19]
- Metropolitan Community Church[21]
- The Covenant Network (Pentecostal)[23]
Puerto Rico
South America
Argentina
- Evangelical Church of the River Plate[79]
- Evangelical Methodist Church in Argentina: Each local church determines its position.[80]
- Metropolitan Community Church[21]
- Reconciling Ministries Network[13]
- United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Argentina and Uruguay[81]
- Waldensian Evangelical Church of the River Plate[82]
Brazil
- Aliança de Batistas do Brasil[83]
- Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil[84]
- Metropolitan Community Church[21]
- Reconciling Ministries Network[13]
Chile
Colombia
- Methodist Church of Colombia[86]
- Metropolitan Community Church[21]
Costa Rica
- Costa Rican Lutheran Church[87]
- Metropolitan Community Church[21]
Paraguay
Uruguay
- Evangelical Church of the River Plate[79]
- Metropolitan Community Church[21]
- United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Argentina and Uruguay[81]
- Waldensian Evangelical Church of the River Plate[82]
Asia
Philippines
- Metropolitan Community Church[21]
- Philippine Independent Church: The Church does not authorize same-sex marriage, but allows ordination.[88][89]
- Reconciling Ministries Network[13]
- United Church of Christ in the Philippines[90]
India
- Church of South India: Some dioceses of the church have confirmed that transgender persons may be ordained as clergy.[91]
Europe
Austria
Belgium
- Ecumenical Catholic Communion[94]
- United Protestant Church in Belgium: Each local church determines its position.[95]
Czech Republic
- Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren: Each local church determines its position.[96]
- Religious Society of Friends[97] (Quakers)[98][99]
- Old Catholic Church of the Czech Republic[100][101]
Denmark
Finland
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland: Each local church determines its position.[103]
- Metropolitan Community Church[21]
France
- United Protestant Church of France: Each local church determines its position.[104]
- Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine: Each local church determines its position.[105]
Georgia
Germany
- Evangelical Church in Germany: Each regional and local church determines its position.[106]
- Catholic Diocese of the Old Catholics in Germany[107]
- Metropolitan Community Church[21]
Iceland
- Church of Iceland: Each regional and local church determines its position.[108]
Italy
Ireland
Norway
Netherlands
- Old Catholic Church of the Netherlands[114]
- Protestant Church in the Netherlands: Each local church determines its position.[115][116]
- Remonstrantse Broederschap[115]
- Mennonite Church in the Netherlands: Each local church determines its position.[117]
Poland
- Reformed Catholic Church in Poland[118]
Spain
Sweden
- Church of Sweden[120]
- Uniting Church in Sweden: Each local church determines its position.[121]
Switzerland
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Geneva (Genf)[122]
- Christian Catholic Church of Switzerland[123]
- Protestant Church of Switzerland: Each Cantonal churches determines its position.[124]
United Kingdom
- Baptist Union of Great Britain: Ordination is not permitted for persons married to someone of the same sex, but each local church determines its own position.[125][126]
Affirming network: Affirm[127]
- Church of England: Same-sex couples can receive a prayer during ordinary services. [128]
- Church in Wales: Church approves blessing of same-sex couples.[129]
- Scottish Episcopal Church[130]
- Church of Scotland[131]
- Methodist Church of Great Britain: Each local church determines its position.[132]
- Metropolitan Community Church[21]
- Unitarian and Free Christian Churches[133]
- Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)[134]
- United Ecumenical Catholic Church[135]
- United Reformed Church[136]
- Open Episcopal Church[137]
Oceania
Australia
- Anglican Church of Australia: Each diocese determines its own position on marriage blessings.[138]
- Community of Christ: Each local church determines its position.[139]
Affirming network: Harmony[37]
- Metropolitan Community Church[21]
- Open Baptists Association[140]
- Uniting Church in Australia: Each local church determines its position.[141]
- United Ecumenical Catholic Church in Australia[142]
- Religious Society of Friends[143]
- The Covenant Network (Pentecostal)[23]
New Zealand
- Anglican Church in New Zealand: Each local church determines its position.[144]
- Methodist Church of New Zealand: Each local church determines its position.[145]
- Metropolitan Community Church[21]
Organizations
- Axios – Orthodox-Christian[146]
- Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons – Latter-day Saints[147]
- Call to Action – Roman Catholic Church[148]
- Changing Attitude – Anglican Communion[149]
- ChogAffirm — Church of God (Anderson)[150]
- DignityUSA – Roman Catholic Church[151]
- Fortunate Families – Roman Catholic Church[152]
- Emergence International – Christian Science[153]
- Friends for LGBTQ Concerns — Quakers[154]
- SDA Kinship International — Seventh-day Adventist Church[155]
Ecumenical organizations
- Affirming Christian Fellowship[156]
- Believr[157]
- Believe Out Loud[158]
- European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups[159]
- Evangelicals Concerned[160]
- Inclusive Church UK[161]
- Inclusive & Affirming Ministries South Africa[162]
- LGBT Christians (Russian: ЛГБТ-христиане Украины)[163][164]
- Logos Česká republika[165][166]
- Nuntiare et Recreare[167]
- OneBodyOneFaith (UK)[168]
- Q Christian Fellowship[169]
- Reformation Project[170]
- Sybils UK[171]