General Article Faith and LGBT inclusion

Topic Selected: Sexuality and Gender Book Volume: 369
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By Ruth Hunt, Chief Executive

Faith is an important part of many LGBT people’s lives, including my own. But this idea that keeps being perpetuated that LGBT people cannot possibly belong within faith communities has been deeply damaging. Stonewall research found that a third of lesbian, gay and bi people of faith (32 per cent) aren’t open with anyone in their faith community about their sexual orientation. While one in four trans people of faith (25 per cent) aren’t open about who they are in their faith community.

Faith has this almost unparalleled ability to bring people from all walks of life together in the name of love. LGBT people of faith need to be respected and included in their faith communities, just as they need respect and acceptance in wider society.

Amid the protests taking place at Parkfield Community School in Birmingham, it’s been incredibly powerful to see and hear LGBT Muslims and allies standing up to affirm their support for LGBT-inclusive education. As Masuma ...

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