Summary: Sexual orientation, gender identity and religion: A new dialogue

On 13 November, the Intergroup on LGBT rights hosted a discussion on the topic of sexual orientation, gender identity and religion. The event discussed progressive approached by some religious leaders towards LGBT persons.

The dominant discourse nowadays tends to present as mutually exclusive the rights of religious believers on the one hand, and the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people on the other hand.

Yet, every day millions of LGBT people marry their faith with a sexual orientation or gender identity different from the majority’s. Believers represent a diverse range of beliefs and feelings, sometimes very different from messages of condemnation from high religious authorities.

Speakers at this event discussed how these two fundamental aspects of human identities can be reconciled, and what lessons they hold for peaceful European policy-making in the field of human rights.

‘Hear Me Out’ Video

The event featured a 5-minute video with personal testimonies of religious lesbian and gay people from around the world. The video is produced by the Euroregional Center for Public Initiatives, in partnership with the European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups and the Global Justice Institute of the Metropolitan Community Churches.

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