Being A Christian in the LGBTIQA Community

One of the hardest things to be is a Christian that is also part of the LGBTIQA (gay) community.   This has to do with the judgements that come from both groups.  There is this distrust to dislike behavior that is reflected on anyone that claims to be both.  The issue that we have to address is how to break this chain so that the closeted Christians who are gay can come out and be free to be who they truly are.

Let us start at the level of what it is like to be gay and be a Christian.  Many churches throughout the world have decided that being gay is a deadly sin.  To explain this theory you have to understand that majority of religions believe if you know something is sin and continue doing it then you are not forgiven for that sin.  They have chosen a few scriptures and use them to conclude that being gay is a sin. 

In the Gay Christian community we call these verses the clobber verses.  One of the clobber verses used is from the book of Leviticus chapter 18.  Yet, if you look at the entire book of Leviticus you will find that there are many things that we would now consider barbaric.  We would never kill disobedient kids.  We have no problem eating shell fish.  We have no problem where clothes made of mixed material.  Yet, we are willing to pick and choose what verses in Leviticus we want to use.  If it goes against our beliefs then we don’t use them.  Yet, if you want to go against what someone else is doing just pull that verse out and use it. 

It is very hard for someone to be a Gay Christian because it is hard to find a place where you can worship in peace.  You are on the hunt to find someplace that affirms who you are.  It gets to the point that some Gay Christians end up at churches that accept them being gay.  Yet, there are restrictions that they place on their lifestyle.  One of the most used is that a person can be gay yet they must be celibate.  Therefor it is only acceptance in words not in true reality. 

There are churches on the other hand that do accept gays as part of the church community.  Churches like the Metropolitan Community Church and the United Church of Christ that are progressive and affirm that being gay is not a sin.  It is taught in these churches that gay isn’t a choice but the way the person was created.  Since God does not create anything wrong being gay is not wrong. 

Once a person who is Gay and Christian find this place where they can worship they can partially step out of the closet. They are allowed to be gay at church and that is helpful for their spiritual needs.  Yet, they feel as if they cannot go out as a Christian who happens to be Gay.  This means that they feel as if they cannot come out as a Christian in the Gay community.  There are strong reasons for this.  The biggest reason is that they feel as if they have to justify their decision why they are a Christian. 

If you have been at any pride parade you have more than likely experienced the religious fanatics standing on the sidelines shouting that gays are going to Hell.  Yet, if you truly study the Bible you will see that we are not to judge others.  Then wouldn’t this mean that these people would be committing a sin when they are judging others.  What even makes it worse is that they are pushing people that need God away because of their propaganda.

This hateful speak causes a distrust in the gay community of anyone claiming to be gay.  There is a feeling that you must have a hidden agenda.  That you are just saying you are gay and that you really are not.  The problem is that there is so much hate that has been tossed out in the public by people who call themselves “Christians” that is has affected the whole Christian community. 

In fact, for many it is easier to be open in the Christian Community than it is in the gay community.  There are little pockets where you feel safe and can be out in the gay community.  Yet, there are also those times that you have to explain to people how you can be both.   I am one of the lucky ones that found a church community that also gave me a gay community to exist in openly.   Tell everyone that I am a proud Christian that just happens to be gay. 

Because of that type of affirming group I am out to the whole community as a happy and proud Christian that just happens to be Gay.  I do not hide that I am gay at church.  I do not hide I am a Christian in the gay community.  Hopefully if you are reading this you can come to find that you can be both and be happy.  The Christian community needs to be more open and accepting of those that are GLBTIQA.  The GLBTIQA community needs more people to come out of the Christian closet so that they can see there are positive gay Christians. 

If you are searching for a safe place to start this journey I want you to know that you can look up progressive affirming churches throughout the world.  One thing that I would wish for all that read this is that they come to know the loving God that has made us and does not think we are unworthy.  If you are a Christian who happens to be gay do not hide in the closet of shame instead share your story with other GLBTIAQ who are willing to listen.  If you are a Gay Christian be open an honest with other Christians so they can see that we love and worship the same God.