Baháʼí views on homosexuality

The Baháʼí Faith considers homosexual sexual intimacy to be against God's will as taught by founder Baháʼu'lláh,^[1][2][3] and views homosexuality as against nature and a sickness.^[4] The organization places emphasis on what it describes as traditional family values,^[5][6] and marriage between a man and a woman is the only form of sexual relationship permitted for Baháʼís.^[1][7][8][9] With an emphasis on chastity and sexual abstinence outside of a heterosexual marriage, Baháʼí teachings prohibit premarital, extramarital, or homosexual sexual intimacy.^[10][11][9]

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual members who engage in any same-sex sexual behavior are subject to the following sanctions from administration: being excluded from community gatherings (e.g. the Nineteen Day Feast), being denied participation in organizational elections, and being barred from holding elected leadership positions.^[12][13] As of 2021, no Baháʼí writings are found on transgender people beyond a 2002 statement which said gender-affirming surgery (i.e. sex changes) are medical questions.^[9] Baháʼí institutions have taken no position on the sexual practices of those who are not adherents,^[14] and Baháʼís have been discouraged from both promoting or opposing efforts to legalize same-sex marriage.^[15]

Teachings from top leaders

The scriptural basis for Baháʼí practices comes from the writings of Baháʼu'lláh (1817–1892), the faith's founder, who forbade fornication, adultery, and same-sex relationships.^[16][17] The Baháʼí position towards homosexuality was elaborated on by Shoghi Effendi, Baháʼu'lláh's great grandson and head of the religion from 1921 to 1957.^[18] He described homosexuality as a distortion, problem, and a disability to overcome, while leaving Baháʼí membership open to anyone regardless of sexual orientation.^[19][16]

The faith's current positions leave queer Baháʼís with the option of attempting a mixed-orientation marriage with someone of the opposite sex or remaining celibate for life.^[2][16] The supreme governing institution of the Baháʼí Faith since 1963, the Universal House of Justice,^[20] has written that Baháʼís should not single out same-sex sexual activity over other transgressions, should not view gay people with disdain or prejudice, and should not attempt to impose their views on sexuality onto broader society.^[21][15][22] In August 21, 2007, Baháʼí leaders in Uganda participated in the Interfaith Rainbow Coalition Against Homosexuality's demonstration called "A Call for Action on Behalf of Victims of Homosexuality" to protest LGBTQ rights in Uganda.^[12][23]

Public perceptions

The exclusion of same-sex marriage among Baháʼís has garnered considerable criticism in the western world,^[12] where the Baháʼí teachings on sexuality "may appear to be unreasonable, dogmatic, and difficult to apply in Western society".^[24][25] Particularly in the United States, Baháʼís have attempted to reconcile their conservative teachings on sexuality with the otherwise socially progressive teachings of the Faith, but it continues to be a source of controversy.^[26][12] Former Baháʼí William Garlington said the Baháʼí position in America, "can at most be characterized as one of sympathetic disapproval" toward homosexuality,^[26] and professor Melissa Wilcox describes Baháʼí teachings as leaving "little room for tolerance of same-sex eroticism", but "not given to statements of its disapproval", and "not generally vocally anti-LGBT."^[6]

Further discussion

Baháʼí teachings stress the importance of absolute chastity for any unmarried person.^[10][11] The organization does not tolerate same-sex eroticism, but is not vocal about its views against LGBTQ people.^[27] In the faith's authoritative teachings homosexuality is described as a condition "against nature" and a challenge that an individual should control and overcome, and Baháʼís are left to apply the teachings at their own discretion, and are discouraged from singling out same-sex sexual activity over other transgressions, such as the consumption of alcohol, or heterosexual extramarital sex.^[28][21] Membership in the Baháʼí community is open to celibate lesbian and gay adherents.^[29][16]

The Baháʼí Faith has been described as a religion "ambiguous or contested on the issue of LGBTQ inclusion".^[6] The religion has a strong emphasis on traditional interpretations of teachings found in Abrahamic religions, which discourage pre- and extra-marital sex as well as same-sex romantic relationships and marriage. Baháʼí teachings state that Baháʼís should not treat homosexual people as condemned outcasts, nor expect people who are not Baháʼí to follow Baháʼí laws.^[21] The Baháʼí writings teach adherents to treat everyone with respect and dignity, and to eschew an attitude of discrimination and social intolerance toward lesbian, gay, and bisexual people.^[30][4] The opportunity for civil same-sex marriage was mentioned in a 2010 letter by the Universal House of Justice as being a public issue that is not in keeping with the Baháʼí teachings, but one that Baháʼís "would neither promote nor necessarily oppose."^[15]

See also

• LGBTQ portal

• Homosexuality and religion
• Baháʼí teachings