LGBTQ+Faith

The Faith & Belief Forum’s LGBTQ+ Interfaith Network is a space for LGBTQ+ people from different faiths, beliefs and backgrounds to come together in a friendly environment. We use interfaith activities and methods to explore personal stories of faith and belief, learn from each other’s traditions, and build solidarity and community. We work in collaboration with a range of brilliant single faith and regional LGBTQ+ organisations.  We currently run occasional events, and are seeking funding for more regular events.

Read about previous network events here or here.

To join the mailing list, please click here.

Our LGBTQ+Faith training sessions allow participants to reflect, learn, and build their practice for working with and supporting LGBTQ+ people of faith.  Since 2017 we have supported over 100 organisations across the UK to offer better support to LGBTQ+ people of faith in their communities. 

Our training sessions support participants to:

• Better understand the diverse ways different LGBTQ+ people relate to faith
• Learn practical ways to ensure people of faith are included and welcomed
• Gain new ideas for dealing with challenging scenarios around faith that may arise in their work or community
• Feel more confident approaching conversations about faith

Our training sessions are developed to meet an organisation’s specific needs and budget, and can be conducted in-person and virtual sessions.

To enquire about training for your team, please email sophie.mitchell@faithbeliefforum.org.

Support:

• Switchboard, the LGBTQ+ Helpline offers a safe space to discuss anything including sexuality, gender identity, sexual health and emotional wellbeing.  Visit their website for resources and for information on their helpline, chat, and email support https://switchboard.lgbt/
• Brighton & Hove Switchboard, an LGBTQ+ charity which connects people, supports them directly, and links to other specialist organisations.  Visit their website for resources, helpline, email support, live chat https://www.switchboard.org.uk/
• LGBT Foundation, an LGBTQ+ charity offering support and advice on a range of topics.  Visit their website for resources and for information on their helpline and email support https://lgbt.foundation/
• Galop supports LGBTQ+ people who have experienced abuse and violence.  Visit their website for resources and information on their helplines and online forum, including The National Conversion Therapy Hotline https://galop.org.uk/
• Samaritans (24 hours a day), aims to provide emotional support to anyone in emotional distress or struggling to cope. Visit their website to access their helpline and resources https://www.samaritans.org/

There are also a range of brilliant single-faith LGBTQ+ organisations in the UK who offer support and networks for LGBTQ+ people of faith. If you would like to be signposted to groups from a particular faith background, please email sophie.mitchell@faithbeliefforum.org

Resources for learning:

• Faith and Religion (resources by The Proud Trust)
• A Roadmap to Inclusion: Supporting Trans People of Faith (resources by GIRES)
• LGBTQI+ People of Faith: Prejudice & Community Cohesion in Brighton & Hove (research by Brighton & Hove Switchboard

Faithful Allies focused on allyship for LGBTQ+ people of faith. Through a series of educational dialogue and peer support sessions between January and May 2024, Faithful Allies brought together 10 faith and community leaders to build up their knowledge, skills, and confidence to make positive change for LGBTQ+ inclusion in their faith communities. During the programme, participants developed an allyship project in their own communities.

The toolkit from this project is available here.

This project was kindly supported by the MB Reckitt Trust and the London Engagement Collaborative Good Ideas Fund.

The LGBTQ+ Faith and Wellbeing Project responds to the intersectional challenges experienced by LGBTQ+ people of different faiths and beliefs, by fostering interfaith collaboration, championing mental and emotional wellbeing, and promoting inclusion in both faith and community spaces.

Click here to find out more and get involved.

This project is kindly being supported by The National Lottery Community Fund Awards For All and the Hibbert Trust.