Here at Rainbow Faith and Freedom we are writing a new chapter in LGBTI human rights activism. Similar to how other social movements such as feminism has been divided into historical waves we are writing the newest chapter of LGBTI activsm: Confronting religious-based LGBTI discrimination. LGBTI rights have been (mostly) increasing across the globe, yet many activists/activist organizations have largely failed to address religious-based homophobia and transphobia. While many organizations have been proudly secular in their work, we feel coordinating with local and international places of worship is integral to the full realization of human rights for LGBTI people. We want to affirm those who are religious while helping religious discourse around homosexuality evolve to be affirming of all people. According to a 2020 ILGA report 69/193 countries around the world still criminalize same-sex sexual activity.
We are extremely grateful to those who have been working to achieve LGBTI rights in previous chapters of the movement. We know that LGBTQI people only have the rights and freedoms we have today because of two trans women of colour, Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. These women are generally cited as instigating the infamous 1969 Stonewall Inn riots by throwing the first bricks/bottles at cops. According to historian David Carter, it was also the homeless or "street" queer kids whose only safe space was the Stonewall Inn that led to the significant impact that the riots had on LGBTQ history. As we write this new chapter in LGBTI activism we will work to honor the contributions made by those most marginalized.
We know that religion is still the primary reason that homophobia and transphobia still exist. The interpretation of religious texts has varied over history – occasionally to suit the time, a moral or societal imperative, or a crisis of confidence by followers of the religious institution itself. This harms both LGBTI people of faith as well as those who consider themselves atheist or secular. At RFF we believe we will only achieve true equality for the LGBTI community by directly addressing and involving religious institutions that justify their discrimination with their faith. We believe that the central message of all religions is first and foremost to treat others as you would like to be treated. Decreasing and lessening the effects of religious-based LGBTI discrimination can, and will, make changing punitive laws easier and improve the lives of LBGTI people so they can be who they are, love who they want, and find safe and accepting places to practice their faith (worship).
One of our first projects in this new chapter is Worshiping with Love. Thanks to Canada’s Ministry of Women and Gender Equality we will be studying the best practices and barriers of a variety of Ontario-based places of worship in terms of being an affirmative institution for 2SLGBTQ+ folks. This research will be taking place over the next two years. Look out for more details on this project which will be coming soon!
In the meantime check out our resource portal. The resource portal features over 100 (and continuously growing!) resources including: books, articles, videos, films, children’s books, human rights organizations and much more. We encourage you to share these resources with your family, your community, and places of worship as a tool to become more affirming of the LGBTQI community.
You can help us write this new chapter by following us on our social networks (facebook, twitter, instagram), donating to RFF, signing up for our newsletter, or volunteering with us.