LET’S
CELEBRATE
LGBTQ+
YOUTH
OF FAITH
Queer Youth of Faith Day
✧
06.30.2026
QYF Day is a national celebration that honors and uplifts LGBTQ+ youth who hold faith as a meaningful part of their identity. It’s a day to affirm their courage, amplify their voices, and remind them they are beloved.
1 in 5 LGBTQ youth say their faith is important to them.
Too many youth in churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples are told they must choose their faith or their queer identities. On Queer Youth of Faith Day, we celebrate LGBTQ+ youth who proudly embrace all of who they are!
“The profound impact of my faith shaped who I am, influencing my lifestyle, and shaping my worldview. I have learned that the intricate integration of my faith and spirituality with my queer identity reveals a harmonious coexistence that enriches my sense of self…”
Laila • California
“My faith will forever affect the way I speak, act, and feel. The loving and embracing nature of Unitarian-Universalism is something so very special, and it has given me a chance to connect with the things I adore further and understand the sense of beauty that is within all of us, but especially within myself…”
Dylan • North Carolina
“When I was little, I would look in the mirror and tell myself, “I’m not a girl, I’m Tzedek,” before I even knew what gender was. I knew I was Justice and Jewish but did not identify as a girl…”
Tzedek • California
“I choose to be Muslim. I choose the culture that I love, and I am both queer and Muslim. No matter how hard anyone tries, that will not change. I am all of the above…”
sarrah • Texas
“… acts of kindness became a leading figure in my life. Completing service for others was a core idea that I learned through Sikhism and wanted to apply it anywhere I could.”
Ria • Connecticut
“… I looked up to the sky, and on my knees, brought God back into my life. Since that night, I have fallen in love with my queerness, and I have grown so much in my faith. I have never felt more joyful and confident.”
Kelsie • Illinois
Why this matters
Religious LGBTQ youth are suffering.
Religiosity has been associated with significantly higher rates of suicide attempts among gay, lesbian, and questioning youth.
They are pressured to change who they are.
Most states still allow LGBTQ+ minors to be subjected to harmful “conversion therapy.” 27% of LGBT+ youth who attempted suicide in 2020 had been sent to conversion therapy.
They are shamed in school and homes.
70% report being bullied at school for their sexual orientation; 67% report hearing families make negative comments about LGBTQ people.
How to celebrate in your faith community
Faith communities of all kinds are invited to take part in this movement of radical belonging and unconditional love.
Ways to Celebrate
🕊️ Host a Prayer Gathering
Dedicate time to pray for queer youth in your community and around the world.🗣️ Feature a Youth Speaker
Invite a queer youth of faith to share their story during a service or community event.🪧 Display a Public Affirmation
Post signs, banners, or social media graphics that say: “Queer youth are beloved here.”💞 Create a Blessing Ritual
Offer a special blessing for queer youth during your worship or community gathering.📣 Use Your Platform
Share affirming messages on social media using #QYFDAY📚 Facilitate a Learning Circle
Host a discussion using one of our guides to explore how to better support queer youth of faith.🎉 Celebrate with Joy
Plan a creative event—art night, music jam, interfaith potluck—to uplift and connect youth.
