Welcome & Belonging
You are beloved, You are welcomed, You are love
Hope and Truth Ministry is welcoming and affirming. If you are LGBTQ+, queer, transgender, questioning, or somewhere still unfolding, you belong here — fully, with Spirit, as you are. You are a child of God. God is love, and God calls you to be love (1 John 4:7-8).
These resources gather a few organizations for support, along with readings for LGBTQ+ people, their families, and those seeking a faith that makes room for you as a person. While some have used verses to clobber and condemn people, there are also verses that invite us to live into our being as children of God. As Paul writes in Galatians 3:28, in Christ the old dividing lines fall away — we are all one; and in 1 Corinthians 12:27, Paul writes that we are all parts of the same body. Others may have used scripture and religion to wrongly hurt, but God made us just the beautiful way we are. “Love never ends” (1 Corinthians 13:8).
What does it mean to be LGBTQ+?
Queer, or LGBTQ+, is an umbrella — lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and more — that describes the many ways people experience attraction, love, gender, and identity. These are not problems to be solved or phases to be outgrown; they are part of the ordinary, beautiful diversity of life.
You can be fully yourself as an LGBTQ+ person and a person of faith. A growing community of churches, pastors, and many more affirm that queer people are made in the image of God and called, like everyone, to lives of love and integrity (Genesis 1:26-27a). If you are just beginning to explore what that means for you, take your time. Coming to terms with the self needs no hurry.
Coming out
Coming out — sharing who you are with others — is deeply personal. There is no single right way and no schedule you owe anyone. First you have to come to terms with yourself and be honest. Then, for others, there is a process and there are decisions. The path varies, but being true to yourself is what matters.
For some it is a joyful announcement; for some there are doubts; for others it is quiet, gradual, and shared only where it feels safe. Most times there is release from the shackles of silence and fear. It is the first step to a new life of being true to yourself.
We quickly realize that this is not a single, one-and-done event. It happens over a lifetime. Each time you meet new people or go to a new place, you have choices.
Your safety and well-being come first. You choose when, how, and with whom you share your story, because it is your story. It is okay to wait until you are ready or until your circumstances feel safe. Wherever you are in that journey, you are not alone, and you are worthy of love and support at every step.
Affirming organizations
- ReconcilingWorks
Lutherans for Full Participation — a national organization embracing the full welcome, inclusion, and equality of LGBTQ+ people in the life of the church, with education and support for individuals, families, and congregations.
- Open and Affirming Coalition (UCC)
The United Church of Christ's ministry for the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people. Maintains a directory of Open and Affirming congregations and resources for churches on the welcoming journey.
Community resources
Beyond church, these organizations offer support, connection, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.
- PFLAG
The nation's largest organization for LGBTQ+ people, their families, and allies, with local chapters offering peer support, education, and community.
- Human Rights Campaign
A leading LGBTQ+ civil rights organization offering research, advocacy, and practical resources on workplaces, healthcare, families, and religion and faith.
Youth resources
For LGBTQ+ youth and their families — safe, affirming spaces and confidential support, including crisis help if you need someone to talk to right now.
- The Trevor Project
Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ young people, with free, confidential 24/7 support by phone, text, and chat, plus a peer community.
- GSA Network
A youth-led network connecting school-based Gender and Sexuality Alliance clubs, empowering LGBTQ+ students to build community and lead change in their schools.
- PFLAG — for families
Support and education for parents, caregivers, and families of LGBTQ+ youth learning how to affirm and stand alongside their children.
Further reading
Queer Theology by Linn Marie Tonstad
A concise, rigorous introduction that asks what it means to do theology queerly — not merely including LGBTQ+ people in existing frameworks, but letting queer experience reshape how we think about God, the body, and the church.
Radical Love: An Introduction to Queer Theology by Patrick S. Cheng
An accessible, welcoming introduction that frames queer theology around the “radical love” at the heart of the Christian story — a good first book for readers new to the field.
Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality by John Boswell
A landmark historical study showing that the church's attitudes toward same-sex love have shifted dramatically over the centuries — and were often far more tolerant than many assume today.
For essays, podcasts, and an online community exploring LGBTQ+ Christian faith, visit QueerTheology.com.
Looking for someone to talk with? You'll find pastoral care and support on our Care page, or reach out directly through the contact page — you are always welcome here.