Various Christian denominations do not consider homosexuality or transgender identity to be sins. These include entire denominations, as well as individual churches and congregations. Some are composed mainly of non-LGBT members and also have specific programs to welcome LGBT people, while others are composed mainly of LGBT members. Additionally, some denominations which are not LGBT-affirming include LGBT member-organized groups which are not officially sanctioned by the denominations themselves. There are also ecumenical or parachurch programmes that explicitly outreach to LGBT people but do not identify with any particular church, tradition, or denomination.
History
The history of Christianity and homosexuality has been much debated. The Hebrew Bible and its traditional interpretations in Judaism and Christianity have historically affirmed and endorsed a patriarchal and heteronormative approach towards human sexuality; throughout the majority of Christian history, most Christian theologians and denominations have considered homosexual behavior as immoral or sinful. However, a number of theological scholars have made biblical case arguments for LGBTQ inclusion. Today, various Christian denominations are accepting of homosexuality and transgender identity and inclusive of homosexual and transgender people, such as the Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian Church, United Church of Christ, and the Metropolitan Community Church. Formed in 1991, The Evangelical Network is a network of evangelical churches, ministries and Christian Workers that are a part of the LGBT community. The Evangelical Network holds an annual conference and provides education, ministerial support, and networking capabilities.
in the 19th century, John Church (minister) was considered to be the first minister to openly perform same sex marriages in his English church. In 1946, Archbishop George Hyde of the Eucharistic Catholic Communion (a small denomination not in union with the Roman Catholic Church) celebrated mass for gay men in Atlanta. In 1956, the Church of ONE Brotherhood was founded in Los Angeles by a gay-rights activist. In 1962, a Congregationalist pastor began an overt pastoral ministry to gay people in New York City. In 1976, the Episcopal Church officially became fully LGBTQ+ inclusive and affirming. In 1979, Allen Bennett became the first openly gay Rabbi.
While Unitarian Universalism is no longer explicitly a Christian religion, it does have Judeo-Christian roots. Both the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Canadian Unitarian Council have officially affirmed LGBT people and have openly advocated for gay rights.
Denominations
International
Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists
Affirming Pentecostal Church International
Africa
Anglican Church of Southern Africa
Deo Gloria Global Apostolic Network in South Africa
Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (Southern Synod) Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa (NGK) NOTE: Each congregation may determine its own decision on gay marriage and gay ministers. Methodist Church of Southern Africa NOTE: The church "accepts same-sex relationships (as long as such relationships are not...marriage)". Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa NOTE: Each minister may exercise his or her conscience and support same-sex unions.
Asia
Aglipayan Church – officially known as Iglesia Filipina Independiente or Philippine Independent Church, an Independent Catholic and Anglo-Catholic denomination. The church has adopted an official and binding position of inclusion and full acceptance of LGBT individuals and organizations since 2017 after the question of inclusiveness was raised in an official leadership meeting by a gay member of the church in 2014. Its youth organization wing has also repeatedly elected presidents, vice presidents, and executives who belong to the Filipino LGBT youth sector. On February 24, 2023, the church ordained Wylard "Wowa" Ledama, a transwoman, to the diaconate as the church's first trans cleric. Anglican Church of Korea NOTE: The Anglican church has some clergy and congregations that support LGBT rights. Church of South India NOTE: The CSI opened ordination to transgender persons, has ministries specifically for transgender rights and some clergy support gay rights. The CSI is among the Anglican churches that "are open to changing Church doctrine on marriage in order to allow for same-sex unions" according to the BBC. Evangelical Church of India United Church of Christ in Japan United Church of Christ in the Philippines
North America
Anglican
Episcopal Church (United States) Evangelical Anglican Church In America