Selected GLBT-Related Informational Resources on Religion and Spirituality
Organizations and Websites
www.ChristianLesbians.com
This site is operated by a lesbian minister based in California and includes
an extensive list of welcoming faith communities on a state-by-state basis,
a catalogue of LGBT and spirituality texts, as well as personal stories of many
site visitors who have reconciled their sexual identity with their Christian
faith.
www.gaychristian.net
Gay Christian Net is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the spiritual
lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered Christians of every denomination.
The site includes an internet radio show, a message board, and numerous articles
and resources.
www.integrityusa.org
Integrity is a division of the Episcopal Church.
www.dignityusa.org
"DignityUSA works for respect and justice for all gay, lesbian, bisexual,
and transgender persons in the Catholic Church and the world through education,
advocacy and support."
www.uua.org
The website for the Unitarian Universalist Association.
www.ufmcc.com
This link will take you to homepage for the Metropolitan Community Churches.
www.mlp.org
More Light Presbyterians is an organization initiated by individual members
of the Presbyterian faith.
http://www.rmnetwork.org/
"Reconciling Ministries Network is a national grassroots organization that
exists to enable full participation of people of all sexual orientations and
gender identities in the life of the United Methodist Church, both in policy
and practice."
www.rainbowbaptists.org
Rainbow Baptists is a website providing support, information and advocacy for
gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer identified Baptists, their family
and friends.
www.usc.edu/isd/archives/oneigla/tb
This informal website offers information for LGBT individuals of the Jewish
faith. The website is not affiliated with any organization, association or synagogue,
but does list the contact information for several gay affirmative Jewish communities.
http://www.vajrarainbow.org/
This website links site visitors to a magazine created for Vajrayana Buddhist
practitioners who are also gay or lesbian. There is a limited amount of information
about the practice of this form of Buddhism.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_budd.htm
A broad overview of the relationship between Buddhism and homosexuality is presented
at this site. Brief explanations of diverse forms of Buddhism, as well as a
reference list of Buddhist perspectives on sexuality.
http://www.glas.org/
The Gay and Lesbian Arab Society (GLAS) is an international organization established
for the purpose of networking gays and lesbians of Arab descent or those living
in Arab countries. http://www.al-bab.com/arab/background/gay.htm is a website
with links related to gay and lesbian Muslims.
http://www.witchvox.com/xgay.html
The Witches Voice is a neopagan organization. This specific link will take you
to a variety of articles and online posts related to gay paganism.
http://www.baaits.org
"BAAITS is a community based volunteer organization creating forums for
spiritual, cultural and artistic expression of Two-Spirit people."
http://www.affirmation.org/
This site is sponsored by a group called Affirmation, which provides supports
for LGBT individuals of the Mormon faith.
http://www.pacts-gtu.org/grace/
"GRACE is a member led faith sharing group that offers a safe and confidential
space for gay and questioning Asian and Pacific Islander Christians, allies,
and supporters to come together for community, social support, worship, prayer
and spiritual sharing."
http://www.soulforce.org/
"The purpose of Soulforce is freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless
nonviolent resistance."
Books
Coming Out Spiritually: The Next Step
Christian De La Huerta
ISBN: 0874779669; Publisher: Tarcher; 1999
This book draws on a number of different religious and spiritual traditions
including Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity and Hinduism. Huerta suggests that
there are ten roles that gay people have traditionally occupied within faith
communities. Using these roles as a framework for his understanding of gay spirituality,
he offers a variety of spiritual practices (ranging from meditation to healing
practices) to enhance the spiritual self. This book is geared towards individuals
who are rooted in their sexual identity, and may be confusing to people who
are newly coming out.
Spiritual Direction and the Gay Person
James Empereur
ISBN: 082641107X; Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group; 1998
Empereur, a Jesuit priest, writes this book concerning the unique spiritual
quest of LGBT individuals. He focuses on the extent to which sexuality is a
God-given characteristic, and the attempts of the Catholic Church to compartmentalize
sexual sins from other transgressions. This book also touches on the role of
stigma and discrimination in the lives of gay people, and how these are distinctive
types of suffering for gay people of faith.
Openly Gay, Openly Christian: How the Bible Really is Gay Friendly
Rev. Samuel Kader
ISBN: 0943595789; Publisher: Leyland Publications; 1999
In an attempt to dispel myths and misinterpretation of the Bible, this text
provides an in depth look at a number of biblical stories, passages and figures
Coming Out Within: Stages of Spiritual Awakening for Lesbians and Gay Men
Craig O'Neill, Kathleen Ritter
ISBN: 0062507060; Publisher: Harper San Francisco; 1992
From an Amazon.com reader/reviewer: "I am not over exaggerating when I
say that this is one of the most helpful books that have been published for
lesbian and gay folk trying to understand the experiences involved in coming
out. It was of profound help in my own journeying through the dynamics and issues
involved in coming to terms with the changes involved in coming out
Stranger at the Gate: To Be Gay and Christian in America
Mel White
ISBN: 0452273811; Publisher: Plume; 1995
An autobiography of a man who came out late in his life, after struggling with
his sexuality from a very young age. In an attempt to escape what he terms various
"ghosts" of acknowledging his sexual orientation, White marries and
has children, all the while working as an advisor to such anti-gay individuals
such as Billy Graham, Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson.
What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality
Daniel A. Helminiak
ISBN: 188636009X; Publisher: Alamo Square Distributors; 2000
Helminiak, a Roman Catholic priest takes a close look at modern biblical scholarship
(particularly historian John Boswell and New Testament scholar L. William Countryman)
and homosexuality.