The Christian community—including the United Methodist Church—has a notorious and uneven history when it comes to welcoming, discipling, elevating to leadership, and serving people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual. (Some groups add those who are “two-spirit,” which comes from North American, Indigenous traditions.*)

At the same time, in many nations around the world, thousands of individuals, congregations, and church judicatories have made the decision to open their doors and arms unabashedly to LGBTQIA+ persons, including those from communities marginalized because of able-ism, racism, xenophobia, and anti-immigrant bias.

Still, some Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color find themselves in white Christian communities whose members and leaders may believe themselves to be open and LGBTQIA+-accepting, yet still operate in ways that are racist, Eurocentric, classist, and derisive.

During this PRIDE month, we invite you to consider how lay and clergy leaders in church or ministry might become more explicitly welcoming, affirming of, and in partnership with people who are LGBTQIA+ Persons of Color.

• Discussion Questions
• Perspective on Faith from A Transgender, Non-Conforming Latinx Theologian
• Acronyms & Terms Explained