CLGS

Human sexuality and gender identity have always been highly charged issues in religious traditions. How these issues have been addressed has varied enormously over time and place. The term "homosexuality" is a recent innovation in that complex history, which was invented in the late nineteenth century to describe the modern notion of a "sexual orientation" toward people of the same sex. This modern conception of human sexual identity would have been virtually unknown and unrecognizable to the writers of sacred texts in most of the world's religious traditions, including the texts of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Scriptures. Contemporary debates over "homosexuality" and religion often turn on how to interpret those ancient texts and involve complex cultural and historical factors.

In the midst of these deeply contested issues, CLGS is committed to advancing the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and to transforming faith communities to be welcoming and inclusive as well as to be advocates for LGBT social justice. This work depends on reliable information and effective education on these topics.

A good place to begin sorting through these complexities is with basic Terms and Definitions. A variety of resources for faith communities can be found here for exploring approaches to sexuality and religion through Sermons and Liturgies. Religious communities and traditions can differ quite widely in their positions toward sexuality and gender identity, and no single Christian institution can speak for all Christian communities on these questions. Denominational Policy Statements offer an overview of that diversity. In addition to official policy statements of various religious institutions, Caucuses and Coalitions committed to LGBT inclusion have emerged in many religious traditions, whose work CLGS supports. A number of Articles and Papers as well as Audio/Visual archives of CLGS lectures can assist in exploring particular topics in the broad field of sexuality and religion.

In addition to religious discourse, many faith communities also rely on developments in the human and social sciences for greater understanding of human sexuality and gender identity. Professional Organization Statements on these issues from organizations like the American Psychiatric Association can help to inform religious and theological reflection on these topics. In addition to explicitly religious organizations, secular advocacy groups are also key resources in this work: The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) and the Human Rights Campaign have devoted significant resources to advancing a progressive religious voice on LGBT issues. Ongoing academic research and scholarship in these areas is also undertaken at the American Academy of Religion, the largest professional organization for religion scholars in North America.