Pride month

June is LGBTQ+ Pride month. LGBTQ+ is an acronym that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer, and is often expanded to include an even broader variety of sexual orientations and gender identities (indicated by the plus sign at the end). All too often, LGBTQ+ people have experienced shame, discrimination, and fear because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In contrast to that, Pride month is a celebration of community, freedom, and joy. 

Photo by Jiroe on Unsplash

The church has not always been (and in many cases, still is not) a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQ+ people. The church has caused great harm by denying access to community, preaching and teaching in ways that contribute to feelings of self-hatred, and championing dangerous and false conversion therapies. Yes, the Bible has been used to justify this harmful treatment, but this is not the only way we read Scripture.

One of the key Lutheran principles for reading the Bible is that Scripture interprets Scripture. This means that we look to the overarching message of the Bible - which is one of God's grace and mercy, welcome for the vulnerable and outcast, and love of neighbor - as a way to help interpret individual passages.

Additionally, we know that the Bible was written in a specific context and time in history. As Pastor Emmy Kegler writes, "When the writers of the Bible condemn same-gender sexual activity, they are not condemning loving, monogamous, committed, same-gender relationships as we experience them today, because those did not exist when the Bible was being written."

The truth is that LGBTQ+ people are beloved by God, created in God's image, and fearfully and wonderfully made - not in spite of their gender identity and sexual orientation, but including them. LGBTQ+ Christians are joined to us in the waters of baptism and at the Communion table. Together we are one body in Christ, and each of us has unique gifts to share. 

It is common to be fearful of what we do not understand. However, our fear, discomfort, or confusion is not an excuse to mistreat LGBTQ+ people. If you want to learn more, I will do my best to answer your questions and connect you to resources for your growth and education. This is critically important work - true welcome, inclusion, and celebration of LGBTQ+ people saves lives. 

The church has a long way to go to be more closely aligned with God's vision of love, justice, and welcome for all people. Strengthened by the Holy Spirit and empowered by the God who first loved us, we answer God's call to love one another.


Bonus resources: 

• Reconciling Works is a Lutheran organization with many helpful resources to learn more about supporting and welcoming LGBTG+ people and advocating for systemic change.
• Queer Grace is an online encyclopedia for LGBTQ and Christian Life, coordinated/edited by ELCA pastor Emmy Kegler. 
• One book that looks closely at what the Bible says about same-sex relationships is God and the Gay Christian, by Matthew Vines. In a series on her blog, Rachel Held Evans gave a helpful summary of Vines' conclusions. Here's the first part of her discussion.