Is it time for the Adventist Church to welcome LGBTQ+people?

Open letter from the Adventist Organization LGBTQ+ Kinship Da-Ch* sent to the managers of the Adventist Church of the seventh day of German language on 4 October 2024, part before. Freely translated by the volunteers of the Gionata project

On October 4, 2024, the Adventist Organization LGBTQ+ KINSHIP DA-CH present in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, adhering to Sevenh-Day Adventist Kinship International, sent an open letter to the managers of the Adventist Church in German -speaking countries. The goal is to promote a dialogue for a greater understanding of the difficult situation experienced by the agi -agitists and encourage more constructive relationships. The 11 -page letter was written in German and English.

In January 2023, a adventist shepherd in Germany made his bisexual identity public. His local community and the direction of his conference in the union of North Germany adventism have supported him, affirming his identity "not compliant with the norm" and declaring himself in solidarity with him.

In the same year, several adventist publications in Germany tried to start an open debate in our Church on issues such as sexual orientation, gender identity and monogamous relationships between people of the same sex.

This initiative has aroused very different reactions within our Church. In particular in Germany, Austria and among the leaders of the whole European division (EUD) and the general conference of the agreedists, critical voices that reiterated the traditional doctrinal position of the Adventist Church on homosexuality, formulated for the first time by the executive committee of the General Conference in October 1993, were raised.

This position is based on the belief that the Bible contains clear and definitive instructions for people with a homosexual orientation. According to this interpretation, the relationships between people of the same sex are categorically rejected and condemned as a serious sin. Those who propose alternative readings of biblical texts are accused of bending the spirit of time, questioning the authority of writing and undermining the doctrinal foundations of the Adventist Church.

We recognize that this debate touches fundamental aspects of our life and our faith, and we understand resistance to positions considered non -biblical or immoral. However, we note that this discussion has often focused on doctrinal issues and theological controversies, neglecting those who are directly involved: the people themselves.

In some cases, it seems that the theme has been reduced to a debate between progressives and conservatives, forgetting the concrete reality of those who live these experiences. In addition, a worrying lack of knowledge has emerged on the daily life of queer people and on the difficulties they face, both in society and in our communities.

Those who do not hide to protect themselves often feel little accepted or even considered foreign in their own church. The official reactions of the Church have reopened deep wounds related to refusal and condemnation.

This letter wants to encourage an open and direct dialogue, offering concrete proposals to improve the current situation. In the Eud declaration on the book Queergedacht, we found this statement encouraging:

"As a Church, we must carefully listen to those who identify themselves as LGBTQ+ and promote multidisciplinary research to better understand their situation, creating a welcoming environment for everyone in our communities."

We want to believe that our initiative can help the leaders of the whole European division (EUD) of the agreedists - and perhaps also of the TED - as well as the regional and local managers of our denomination to take the necessary measures so that the adventist churches become safe spaces for queer people.

After years of silence, more and more Church members ask for serious and professional information on these issues. The awareness of the suffering that many queer people have lived and continue to live, often in silence and without recognition grows.

A continuous learning process

After decades of disputes, research and experiences, today there is a growing consensus among experts of sexology, psychology, psychiatry and medicine regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. Preconceptions and stereotypes are slowly disappearing, thanks to the greater visibility of queer people in society and the possibility of meeting them without prejudice. Even if in some nations the situation is improving, much still remains to be done.

In many countries, especially those with authoritarian regimes or rigidly heteronormative cultures, queer people undergo strong pressure, exclusion, persecution and violence. In these contexts, the LGBTQ+ movement is often denigrated as a sign of "western decline" and seen as a threat to the social and moral order.

But in all this it is forgotten that the central question concerns human rights and the protection of a vulnerable minority. Even in our adventist communities, queer people are not spared by these attacks. The psychological pressure they suffer is dramatic and our attention deserves.

Social changes are also reaching the churches, including independent ones, although with delay and waves. New knowledge and questions about sexuality and gender identity are a challenge for all of us. Some beliefs of the past prove to be incorrect or incomplete, generating uncertainty and fear.

There are no easy or immediate answers. For this reason, it is essential that our Adventist Church also started an interdisciplinary and reflective dialogue on these issues.

The ex-gay movement and its failures

Many ventilations do not know - or do not remember - that the Adventist Church was among the first Christian denominations to support and finance a "conversion therapy" program for homosexual people in the United States in the 80s. This rendered the active part of the so-called ex-gay movement, which tried to "change" the sexual orientation of LGBTQ+people.

With the passage of time, it proved to be a bankruptcy experiment: many people who had entrusted to you sincerely have lived real traumatic experiences. They felt like failed spiritually because they could not change their orientation. Some have developed a gloomy vision of God, others are sunk in depression, and unfortunately some have also decided to commit suicide.

Today, more and more countries are prohibiting these practices, recognizing their harmful and deceptive character. However, in our Church there is still no clear recognition of the errors of the past.

We therefore ask the Adventist Church to face this story with self -criticism, explicitly declaring their detachment from these practices and apologizing to the people who suffered the consequences.

*Sevenh-Day Adventist Kinship International It is an organization founded in 1976 in Palm Desert, California (USA), with the aim of supporting the adventists LGBTQIA+ (lesbians, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual and intersex) and their supporters, offering a safe environment for spiritual growth and dialogue.

SDA Kinship Europe is the European section of Sevenh-Day Adventist Kinship International, which is present all over the world with about 5,500 members in 112 countries (December 2024) .. It is not officially affiliated with the Adventist Church of the seventh day but works to promote the inclusion and dialogue within the Adventist Community, providing support to those who try to reconcile their faith with their own identity.

Original text: Open letter from SDA Kinship Dach to the Leaders of the Inter-European Division of Sevenh-Day Adventisms (PDF files)