LGBTQIA+ inclusion is a Christian value

June 28, 2024

Honor Pride Month by make a plan to vote for a future in which everyone is well – without exception! https://networkadvocates.org/

No matter who we love, how we express ourselves, or what our family looks like, we all want and deserve to be safe, protected, and valued for who we are. This is one of our deepest human longings! Accordingly, the Catholic Church insists that every single person has immeasurable value and dignity, and therefore must be respected, protected and valued as children of God.

However, some politicians take the extreme position that only some Individuals and families are entitled to rights and protection.

Last year alone, state parliaments passed a record number of bills targeting LGBTQIA+ people, parents and children. These bills are hostile and divisive, and are linked to rising levels of violence against queer and trans people, including youth. These policies make our communities unsafe and hostile for everyone, not just those impacted by the laws. They create a culture of condemnation, censorship, and forced conformity, rather than fostering a culture of welcoming, inclusivity, and compassion. They defensively close the door to connection, inclusive community, and understanding.

Our freedom to live in safety is threatened by political and religious leaders who portray us or our fellow citizens – our siblings, friends, parents, children, neighbors, and coworkers – as a “threat.” All too often, these political actors try to pit us against one another, hoping that we will be too preoccupied with fear and hysteria to notice when they try to enrich themselves and push through cuts to our health care, housing, and food assistance programs – as some right-wing members of Congress tried to do in 2023.

But we know that we must not fall into the trap of scapegoating. As Christians, we refuse to belittle God! We know each other and we know our true Christian values: to love, protect and show solidarity with our neighbour. We know that God’s creation is diverse and beautiful and that every single person is created in a wonderful and wonderful way in the image and likeness of God – absolutely no exceptions!

Today, Public opinion in the United States overwhelmingly supports same-sex marriage. Over and beyond, new research from PRRI shows that Americans currently perceive discrimination against transgender people as the highest of all groups. We see the hatred that prevails and it does not reflect our values or our dreams for ourselves and our children.

Our communities have protected each other and their families before by rejecting hate and division and supporting policies that promote true safety and freedom for all of us. Last year, for example,The Biden administration has launched a new LGBTQI+ Community Safety Partnership to provide safety training, support health workers, encourage hate crime reporting, and build partnerships to combat hate-fueled violence. These initiatives, and the spirit of solidarity they foster, make our communities better for everyone.

We can continue to take action to reflect our true values: inclusivity, freedom and charity. Together, we have the power to ensure that no one in our communities is excluded, demonized and stripped of their freedoms. We have the power to insist on our equal worth and equal protections, including for our children. In this election year and beyond, we can Choose our future to ensure that each and every one of us has the freedom to live in safety and be who God created us to be.