No Place for Hate in Faith

For many of us, our faith is a core part of who we are. We identify ourselves by it. We live by its value systems. And we turn to it in times of crisis.

So what would you do if your religion denounced who you are as a sin?

What would you do if you had to choose between living in the faith that’s been such a big part of your life—and living true to who you are?

What would you do if, rather than giving you strength during crisis, your faith were the cause of your crisis?

These scenarios have played out all too painfully in the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans.

It’s time to give a damn.

Seeking guidance

Americans are a religious people. According to some statistics, 92% of Americans believe in God or a universal spirit, more than 81% belong to a religious denomination and more than 43% attend religious services at least once a month. Americans look to their faith and religious leaders not just for spiritual guidance but for support on an array of issues, from family life to moral and social problems.

Many faiths answer that call for guidance, espousing values such as commitment to social justice, love and acceptance.

Unfortunately, some religions also use their doctrines and sacred texts to attack, condemn and discriminate against gay and transgender people. And many gay and transgender Americans—people who were deeply rooted in their faith and faith communities—have been forced to leave their religions because of it.

Imagine if the “advice” you got from your religious leader for how to live your life was to change who you are.

Imagine if the community you relied upon for friendship, love and support rejected you.

Imagine if you were told that to be accepted in your faith, you must live a lie.

Teach acceptance, not intolerance

It’s time to give a damn, because faith and religion are supposed to support and nurture people—not tear them down.

It’s time to give a damn, because our religious leaders should be teaching acceptance—not intolerance and hate.

And it’s time to give a damn, because people shouldn’t have to choose between living honestly and living in their faith.

It’s time for things to change.

JOIN GIVE A DAMN!

• Join the Campaign if you haven’t already
• Learn about the Campaign

GET INFORMED

Knowledge is power. We all need to stay informed.

• Download the Damn PDF about Faith
• Watch one of our Damn Videos or read people’s Personal Stories
• Check out our Damn Blog
• Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube

GET INVOLVED

Spread the word. Encourage the people in your life to get involved—especially if they’re straight and have never given this issue a lot of thought. Simply:

• Share one of our Damn Videos or someone’s Personal Story
• Share Your Personal Story
• Download and use some Damn Stuff

GET MORE INFORMED AND INVOLVED

Visit our nonprofit partner’s website; they’re experts on faith. They can provide you a ton of additional resources and ways to get involved:

• Human Rights Campaign

Information on this page was provided by:

• Human Rights Campaign. “About Religion & Faith”
• Human Rights Campaign. “Faith Positions”
• Human Rights Campaign. “For the Bible Tells Me So: A Study Guide and Advocacy Training Curriculum”
• Human Rights Campaign. “Gender Identity and our Faith Communities: A Congregational Guide for Transgender Advocacy”
• Human Rights Campaign. “Living Openly in Your Place of Worship”
• Human Rights Campaign. “Out in Scripture”
• Cobb, Ty. “President Obama & Seretary Clinton Address Uganda Bill at National Prayer Breakfast,” HRC Back Story (blog), Human Rights Campaign, February 4, 2010.
• The Association of Religion Data Archives. “National Study of Youth and Religion Wave 3 (2007 – 2008).”
• Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion, Baylor University. “The Baylor Religion Survey, 2005.”
• Briggs, David. “Taking sides in 30-year war over gay, lesbian issues,” Ahead of the Trend (column), The Association of Religion Data Archives, July 8, 2009.
• The Central Intelligence Agency. “The World Fact Book: North America: United States“
• The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life: ”U.S. Religious Landscape Survey”