Christadelphian LGBTQ+ Parent and Grandparent Support Group

Welfare of LGBTQ+ people from a Christadelphian Background 2023.  31% of the 84 LGBTQ+ people surveyed said that their Christadelphian parents did not know they were LGBTQ+; 88% of in-fellowship responders, said that their ecclesia does not know that they are LGBTQ+ ; 11 people surveyed have attempted suicide due to being LGBTQ+ and connected with the Christadelphian Community.

Welfare of LGBTQ+ people from a Christadelphian Background 2023

 

Report Taster Our Christadelphian Community appears to be predominantly non- affirming (i.e. we hold the belief that same-sex relationships etc. are not acceptable to God). Nonetheless, significant tranches of the Christadelphian Community are not treating LGBTQ+ people as the Lord Jesus would. Kindness to LGBTQ+ people is not an endorsement of same-sex relationships. In presenting this upcoming report, the  Christadelphian LGBTQ+ Parent and Grandparent Support Group  has no intention of debating non-affirming or affirming views. What we are highlighting is an opportunity to reach out to people who need our love, acceptance and support: "Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2, NRSVA). Everyone needs a relationship with our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. We drive people out at our peril: "If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great mi...

 

We've now had 72 responses from LGBTQ+ people from a Christadelphian background, so now the data analysis begins.   (A further 10 responses have been received - mainly from parents of LGBTQ+ people. We will conduct a survey for this demographic at a later date.)   Here are some headlines which should cause us to reflect on what we can all do to make our community safer. This is not about the rights or wrongs of same-sex relationships. This is about taking a stand on love, so that people no longer have to hide and suffer in the Christadelphian community. Christadelphian parents of 21 people (29%) do not know that their children are LGBTQ+   66 ( 91%) respondents report mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, self harm, thoughts of suicide and attempted suicide as a result of being LGBTQ+ in the Christadelphian Community.  47 people ( 70%) report feeling unsafe in the wider Christadelphian Community.    11 (15%) people have considered s...

For Christadelphian parents and grandparents of LGBTQ+ children, we have a private, supportive Facebook group, which can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3321473211499965 Please do join us. You are not alone.