The path of LGBT+ people in society and in the Church

Text by Gene Robinson*, Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire (United States), taken from “Transgender Welcome: A Bishop Makes the Case for Affirmation“, Published by the Center for American Progress, January 2016, pp.5-7, freely translated by the volunteers of the Gionata project

The efforts to obtain the inclusion of gay and lesbian people in American society date back more than half a century ago.

The last decade has brought incredible progress in terms of rights and equality for gay and lesbian Americans, culminating in the sentence of the Supreme Court Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015, which sanctioned the right to marriage for all Americans, regardless of the kind of loved one.

Although there is still a lot of work to do to guarantee non -discrimination in public places, work and accommodation across the country, gay and lesbian people are experiencing an unprecedented level of equality compared to the past.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the position of LGBT people in most religious institutions. The traditional Judeo-Christian condemnation of homosexuality continues to be one of the main obstacles in the struggle for equality, even in the public sphere.

Although in the United States there is a legal separation between Church and State, many people in politics - both local and nationally - bring religious beliefs contrary to homosexuality in the places of government with them.

These negative attitudes, based on religion, have slowed progress towards full equality. In addition, the official doctrine of most religious denominations is still negative towards homosexuality, even if some have tried to appear more welcoming by saying not to condemn gay people, but only sexual acts between people of the same sex - a distinction That many gay and lesbian people consider cruel and meaningless.

Liberal and reformist Christian confessions, as well as some Jewish traditions, have made the most significant steps in changing their traditional teachings on homosexuality, even going so far as to include gay and lesbian people in leadership positions in their churches and synagogues.

The Lutheran Church and the episcopal Church, for example, not only have members of the openly gay clergy, but also gay bishops. In addition, Denise Eger, a lesbian woman, was elected president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.

However, the Catholic Church - the greatest American Christian denomination - continues to officially teach that love and intimacy between people of the same sex are contrary to the will of God.

However, it should be emphasized that, starting from April 2015, the majority of Catholic lay people - about 60% - said they did not agree with the official teaching of the Church on this issue.

The slow change of religious beliefs

One of the key elements to change the opinions of people of faith was an in -depth analysis of the understanding of the biblical texts traditionally used to condemn homosexuality.

The most effective methods were not those who simply rejected these texts, but rather those who tried to understand them within their historical and cultural context.

In general, studies have shown that what the Bible condemns in those passages is not what we deal with today.

For example, it is likely that the apostle Paolo refers to relationships between adult men and teenagers, a practice widespread in Greek-Roman culture and today universally considered abuse on minors.

This is very different from the relationships between adults, consensual and committed that today's society is discussing.

Although intimacy between people of the same sex was known in the ancient world, it is correct to say that the Bible is silent on the question of homosexuality understood as sexual orientation, since this conceptual category did not yet exist.

The modern idea of ​​sexual orientation as a psychological and scientific construct was formulated only at the end of the nineteenth century.

Until recently, both the secular society and religious institutions have concentrated mainly on gay and lesbian people. Over time, more and more people have started to declare themselves openly gay or lesbians with their family, friends and colleagues.

This deeply changed public opinion: the majority of Americans now know at least one homosexual person, and this is one of the strongest factors to determine a positive attitude towards gay and lesbian people.

According to The Pew Research center, people who know someone openly gay or lesbian are much more likely to have favorable opinions.

Over time, the concept of LGBT community has also started including bisexual and transgender people.

However, it must be said that bisexual and transgender people have received much less attention than gay and lesbian ones.

* Gene Robinson(born on May 29, 1947 in Lexington, Kentucky) was the first declaredly gay bishop and in a stable relationship to be consecrated in a great Christian denomination, the episcopal church of the United States. Ordained Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire in 2003, his election aroused a global debate on the position of Christian churches with respect to homosexuality, causing tensions in Anglican communion.

Robinson has experienced his faith as an inclusion tool, supporting with passion the rights of LGBTQ+ people both in the Church and in society. Author of books such as“God Believes in Love”, he told his personal and theological path, underlining the importance of a Welcoming church.

His inheritance lies in the courage to affirm that everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, are children of God, worthy of respect and dignity. His figure remains a symbol of opening and justice in the contemporary Church.

Original text:Transgender Welcome. A Bishop Makes the Case for Affirmation