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Various Christian denominations do not consider homosexuality or transgender identity to be sins.[1] These include entire denominations, as well as individual churches and congregations. Some are composed mainly of non-LGBT members and also have specific programs to welcome LGBT people, while others are composed mainly of LGBT members. Additionally, some denominations which are not LGBT-affirming include LGBT member-organized groups which are not officially sanctioned by the denominations themselves. There are also ecumenical or parachurch programmes that explicitly outreach to LGBT people but do not identify with any particular church, tradition, or denomination.
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The history of Christianity and homosexuality has been much debated.[2] The Hebrew Bible and its traditional interpretations in Judaism and Christianity have historically affirmed and endorsed a patriarchal and heteronormative approach towards human sexuality;[3][4] throughout the majority of Christian history, most Christian theologians and denominations have considered homosexual behavior as immoral or sinful.[5][6] However, a number of theological scholars have made biblical case arguments for LGBTQ inclusion.[7] Today, various Christian denominations are accepting of homosexuality and transgender identity and inclusive of homosexual and transgender people, such as the Episcopal Church,[8] the Presbyterian Church,[9] United Church of Christ, and the Metropolitan Community Church. Formed in 1991, Affirming Christian Fellowship is a network of evangelical churches, ministries and Christian Workers that are a part of the LGBT community. Affirming Christian Fellowship holds an annual conference and provides education, ministerial support, and networking capabilities.[10]
in the 19th century, John Church (minister) was considered to be the first minister to openly perform same sex marriages in his English church.[11] In 1946, Archbishop George Hyde of the Eucharistic Catholic Communion (a small denomination not in union with the Roman Catholic Church) celebrated mass for gay men in Atlanta.[12] In 1956, the Church of ONE Brotherhood was founded in Los Angeles by a gay-rights activist.[13] In 1962, a Congregationalist pastor began an overt pastoral ministry to gay people in New York City. In 1976, the Episcopal Church officially became fully LGBTQ+ inclusive and affirming.[14] In 1979, Allen Bennett became the first openly gay Rabbi.[15]
While Unitarian Universalism is no longer explicitly a Christian religion, it does have Judeo-Christian roots. Both the Unitarian Universalist Association[16] and the Canadian Unitarian Council[17] have officially affirmed LGBT people and have openly advocated for gay rights.
While the below lists a number of welcoming churches, there are numerous websites that have a more comprehensive list including:
Some Baptist denominations in the United States do not have official beliefs about marriage in a confession of faith and invoke congregationalism to leave the choice to each church to decide.[103]
The following denominations have LGBT-welcoming or affirming programs, though not all churches within the denomination are necessarily members of the LGBT program.[citation needed]
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