LGBT-affirming religious groups

The Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, have traditionally forbidden non-heterosexual and non-vaginal sexual intercourse (both of which have been variously labeled as sodomy), believing and teaching that such behavior is sinful and derived from the behavior of the residents of Sodom and Gomorrah.[1][2] Today, several denominations within Christianity and Judaism accept gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender members and permit the ordination of openly LGBT candidates for ministry. Examples are the Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist movements in Judaism, the United Church of Christ, United Church of Canada, Episcopal Church in the United States, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Presbyterian Church (USA), Community of Christ, and the Metropolitan Community Church. Some of these traditions have made provision for same-sex unions or marriage. In Europe, a number of Lutheran, Reformed, United and Old Catholic churches have adopted increasingly accepting policies towards LGBT members.

A number of Christian ministries seek to create officially sanctioned "Safe-spaces" in a similar vein as gay-straight alliances in various schools. LGBT ministries differ from lay-lead movements for the inclusion of LGBT parishioners in that most lay movements do not receive open and official support from clergy. They also differ from LGBT-oriented congregations (such as those of the Metropolitan Community Church) formed explicitly for LGBT parishioners in that the clergy of such congregations are not historically motivated toward opposition to LGBT dignity and equality upon establishment of the denomination.

Tu'er Shen, also known as the Rabbit God, is a gay Chinese deity. In 2006, Lu Wei-ming founded a temple for Tu'er Shen in Yonghe District in the New Taipei City in Taiwan.[3] About 9,000 pilgrims visit the temple each year praying for a suitable (same-sex) partner.[4] The Wei-ming temple also performs love ceremonies for gay couples.[5] It is the world's only religious shrine for homosexuals.[6]

Homosexuality was generally seen as normal in Ancient Greece and is today accepted in Epicureanism, as in other forms of secular humanism.

The Raëlian Movement looks positively on sexuality including homosexuality. Raël recognised same-sex marriage, and a Raëlian press release said that sexual orientation is genetic and likened discrimination against gays to racism.[7] Some Raëlian leaders have performed licensed same-sex marriages.[8]

Of the two primary mainstream satanic denominations, only The Satanic Temple appears to be in support of the LGBTQIA+ community. LaVeyan Satanism is critical of Abrahamic sexual mores, considering them narrow, restrictive and hypocritical. Satanists from the Satanic Temple are pluralists, accepting bisexuals, lesbians, gays, transgender people, BDSM, and polyamorists whereas the LaVeyan Satanists [The Church of Satan] began marketing an anti-equality polo shirt in March 2015, just 3 months before the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage. In both groups sex is viewed as an indulgence, but one that should only be freely entered into with consent. The Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth which are specific to the Church of Satan, only give two instructions regarding sex: "Do not make sexual advances unless you are given the mating signal" and "Do not harm little children", though the latter is much broader and encompasses physical and other abuse. This has been a consistent part of Church of Satan policy since its inception in 1966.

In a 2004 essay supporting same sex marriage:

The Church of Satan is the first church to fully accept members regardless of sexual orientation and so we champion weddings/civil unions between adult partners whether they be of opposite or the same sex. So long as love is present and the partners wish to commit to a relationship, we support their desire for a legally recognized partnership, and the rights and privileges which come from such a union.

— Magister Peter H. Gilmore[9]

Although this directly contradicts Other aspects of their beliefs as noted above.

Theistic Satanists also oppose homophobia.[10]

Unitarians and the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) have a long-standing tradition of welcoming LGBTQ+ people.

Homosexuality is religiously acceptable in Haitian Vodou.[11]

Many Wiccans are generally welcoming of LGBTQ+ people. Wiccans tend to view sex in a positive light without guilt.[12] Some strands of Wicca go beyond welcoming gays and actively celebrate gay relationships.[13]

• List of LGBT-related organizations and conferences, including religious organizations
• Metropolitan Community Church

Wikimedia Commons has media related to LGBT or LGBT-friendly churches.

• LGBTQ Humanists