CHRISTIANITY & LGBTIQ+ PEOPLE

LGBTIQ+ community members shares their connection with their faith as well as some tips for other LGBTIQ+ Christian people

“My Christian-based values and beliefs, what I have learnt from reading the bible, through prayer - these things have helped me hugely get through my transition as well as has protected me and cared for me and watched over me” - Trans Woman Adult*

“Since realising and finally accepting that I was gay, I have had to deconstruct and reconstruct my faith. I had to look at faith and God with a lot more intention than I may have had to, had I not been gay. I am thankful for this” - Lesbian Adult

“I can’t ignore my sexuality, so why ignore my Faith? I’m Māori and we have a Health Wellness model called ‘Tapa Wha’, taking in account four sides of a whare (house). Physical, Mental/Emotional, Whānau (family) and Spiritual. I identify with the Rainbow Community and I identify with my Faith / Spirituality (Wairuatanga). I am, one. I am, whole. This is me and who I am” - Danz

Tips for other LGBTIQ+ Christians: 
	•	Try to separate people and church from God, and don’t let what Christians might say to or about you turn you away from God
	•	Find an affirming church and get involved there
	•	Remember that God loves you, and will never let you go or leave you. Hold on to that when things get tough. 

*quote taken from the Counting Ourselves 2019 report