Faith for all
Multi-faith resources for LGBTQ youth
For many queer youth, faith is a core aspect of being a human being. In fact, one out of four LGBTQ youth in the U.S. report that religion is important or very important to them (Trevor Project, 2020).
Unfortunately, religious institutions in the U.S. and across the world are not always supportive of queer identities. In many cases, these places of worship have become unsafe for queer youth who are on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual formation. All too often, young believers are pressured to choose between their faith and their queer identity, a burden that has led to depression, self-hate, spiritual disintegration, and self-harm.
The good news is more faith-based organizations from across religious traditions are rising up to embrace and empower their young LGBTQ siblings. We present a few of these organizations below. We hope you find what you’re looking for to feel fully affirmed and deeply beloved.
If you have recommendations for affirming organizations to include on this list, please email us at hello@belovedarise.org.
Filter Faith by Tradition
Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV)
Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) endorses the human and civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) individuals. They support full equality and inclusion of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, in society and in the Muslim community.
HRC—Coming Home to Islam and to Self
The Human Rights Campaign has created this guide aimed at LGBTQ American Muslims who are on the journey toward living fully in their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and in their faith and its traditions. These pages will offer general, overarching insights and suggestions that draw on a wide variety of Muslim voices. The hope is always to spark new ideas, new dialogue and new courage.
HRC—Coming Home to Judaism and to Self
The Human Rights Campaign has created this guide aimed at LGBTQ Jewish Americans who are on the journey toward living fully in their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and in their faith and its traditions.
Jewish Queer Youth (JOY)
JQY (Jewish Queer Youth) is a nonprofit organization supporting and empowering LGBTQ youth in the Jewish community. JQY fights to ensure the emotional and physical health and safety of these individuals, with a special focus on teens and young adults from Orthodox, Chasidic, and Sephardic communities.
Human Rights Campaign—Religion & Faith Program
The HRC Religion and Faith Program is working to build a world where LGBTQ people of faith are celebrated for every part of who they are, while fighting to ensure that religion is not used as a weapon of hate and discrimination. Find resources for various faith traditions.
The Reformation Project
The Reformation Project is a Bible-based, Christian organization that works to promote inclusion of LGBTQ people by reforming Christian church teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity. Go here for their annual conference, videos, resources.
Q Christian Fellowship
Q Christian Fellowship cultivates radical belonging among LGBTQ+ people and allies. It is a diverse community with varied backgrounds, cultures, theologies and denominations, drawn together through their love of Christ. Go here for their annual conference, online community, blog, extensive resource lists.
Queer Grace
An online encyclopedia of websites, podcasts, books, and videos that cover the topic of LGBTQ life and the Christian faith. Go here for book recommendations, articles and other readings for LGBTQ+ Christians.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ young people. Their site provides excellent resources for crisis interventions, suicide prevention training and community resources
NQAPIA—Islam Resources
The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) has compiled a set of resources, arranged by media, regarding faith affirming resources for queer, Muslim Asian Americans.
Beloved Arise
Beloved Arise is on a mission to celebrate and empower queer youth of faith. They offer extensive resources and programs for LGBTQ youth from Christian backgrounds. Beloved Arise also works to unite other faith-based organizations who are dedicated to supporting queer youth from across all faith traditions.