It has been suggested thatHomosexuality and religion bemerged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since November 2025.

The relationship betweenreligion and sexuality, as well as withgender identity, ranges widely – from viewingsex andsexuality as clearly negative, to believing that sex is the highest expression of the divine,^[1] from condemning any gender variance to looking to transgender and nonbinary people as religious leaders.

Within thesocial sciences, religious practice and institutions have been studied for their role in orientingheteronormative societies in how they relate toLGBTQ people andsame-sex couples, and their abilities to be functional beings in societal contexts.^[2] The main authoritative bodies, texts, and doctrines of theworld's largest religions may view these negatively, especially those that belong toAbrahamic religions.^{[3][4][5][6][7][8][9]} This can range fromdiscrimination and discouragement ofself-disclosure directed at LGBTQ people,^[10] explicitly forbiddingsame-sex sexual activities and/orgender reassignment among adherents,actively opposing social acceptance of LGBTQ identities,^{[3][9][11][12]} to thecriminalization andviolence against LGBTQ people,^{[9][13][14][15]} such as thedeath penalty for people engaging in homosexual practices^[13][14][15] while tolerating gender reassignment in specific cases.^[16][17][18]

Liberal and progressive voices within these religions tend to view LGBTQ people more positively, and some liberalreligious denominations may blesssame-sex marriages, as well as accepting and marrying people who are transgender. Historically, some cultures and religions accommodated, institutionalized, revered and/or toleratedsame-sex relationships and non-heterosexual identities;^{[15][18][19][20][21][22]} suchmythologies and traditions can be found in numerous religions around the world;^[23] elements of religious and cultural incorporation of non-heterosexual identities can still be identified in traditions that have survived into the modern era, such as theBerdache,^[24]Hijra,^[25] andXanith.^[26]

According to a 2006Australian survey,LGBTIQ+ people in Australia, compared to the generalAustralian population, were much more likely to reportirreligiosity, much less likely to be affiliated with aChristian denomination, and more likely to be affiliated with a religion other thanChristianity. Thedistribution of religions that LGBTQ Australians were raised in, however, was similar to that of the general population. Men—particularlybisexual men—were more likely to beChristians and to have stayed adherent to the religion they were raised in.Lesbian women were more likely to have left the religion they were raised in and be currently unaffiliated.^[27]

A 2007 study on the beliefs ofLGBTQ people in New Zealand found that 73% were irreligious, 14.8% were Christians, and 2.2% wereBuddhists.^[28] In contrast, a 2001 census reported that 59.8% ofNew Zealanders were Christians and 29.2% were irreligious.^[28] A 2008 analysis showed that the proportion of LGBTQ individuals identifying as Christians in New Zealand had decreased, with the rate of disaffiliation among LGBTQ individuals who were previously Christian being 2.37 times higher than the general population.^[28]

TheRadical Faeries is a worldwidequeerspiritual movement founded in 1979 in theUnited States. Radical Faerie communities are generally inspired by aboriginal, native, or traditional spiritualities, especially those that incorporate queer sensibilities. AWilliams Institute survey found that the majority of LGBTQ Americans were raised as Christians and predominantly Protestant.^[29] A 2024 survey of LGBTQ Americans found that more than 50% were raised as Protestants and inPentecostalism.^[30]

Opposition tosame-sex marriage and LGBTQ rights is often associated with conservative religious views. TheAmerican Family Association, an Americanright-wing Christian group, and other religious groups have promoted boycotts of corporations whose policies support the LGBTQ community.^[31][32][33]

On the other hand, theUnitarian Universalist Association supports LGBTQ individuals' freedom to marry,^[34] comparing resistance to marriage equality to resistance to the abolition ofslavery,women's suffrage, and the end ofanti-miscegenation laws.^[35]

LGBTQ individuals often endure significant challenges inIslamic countries, which frequently have laws that explicitly criminalizesame-sex sexual behavior. In Islamic countries,Sharia may be interpreted to condemn males who engage in same-sex behavior to death—a violation of human rights per international human rights experts and organizations, includingAmnesty International.^[36][37][38]

With the US's signature in 2009, the proposedUN declaration on LGBTQ rights had been signed by 67 members of theUnited Nations, including all 27 European Union members as well asJapan,Australia, andMexico.^[39][40] The Human Rights Watch website published an article in 2008 that includes the rest of the 67 members UN.^[41] Muslim nations put forward an opposing statement, and 60 member states have signed this as of March 2009, the majority being in Africa and Asia.^[42][39] Sixty-five out of the total 192 countries have not yet signed either statement as of 2009.

Abrahamic religions (namelyJudaism,Samaritanism,Christianity, theBaháʼí Faith, andIslam) have traditionally affirmed and endorsed apatriarchal andheteronormative approach towardshuman sexuality,^[4][5][6][7] favouring exclusivelypenetrative vaginal intercourse between men and women within the boundaries ofmarriage over all other forms ofhuman sexual activity,^[6][7] includingautoeroticism,masturbation,oral sex,non-penetrative andnon-heterosexual sexual intercourse (all of which have been labeled as "sodomy" at various times),^[43] believing and teaching that such behaviors are forbidden because they are consideredsinful,^[6][7] and further compared to or derived from the behavior of the alleged residents ofSodom and Gomorrah.^{[6][8][44][45][46]} However, the status of LGBTQ people inearly Christianity^{[47][48][49][50]} andearly Islam^{[51][19][20][18]} is debated.

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Throughout the majority ofChristian history, mostChristian theologians anddenominations have considered homosexual behavior asimmoral orsinful.^[8][52] Currently,Christian denominations have a variety of beliefs about LGBTQ people, and the moral status of same-sex sexual practices and gender variance. LGBTQ people may be barred from membership, accepted aslaity, or ordained asclergy, depending on the denomination.

TheRoman Catholic Church welcomes people attracted to the same sex, while maintaining its teaching that homosexual relationships and acts aresinful.^[53] The Roman Curia considers transgender individuals to be theirbiological sex and admits no distinction between "sex" and "gender".^[54] TheOrthodox Church holds similar stances on same-sex attraction and conjugal relations.^[55]Protestant denominations have a wide range of views. Some denominations espouse similar views to Catholicism and Orthodoxy, and teach that all sexual relations outside of traditional marriage between a man and a woman are sinful, such as theReformed Church in America,^[56]Southern Baptist Convention,^[57]The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints^[58] andJehovah's Witnesses.^[59]

Even within the scope of Christianity, the Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW) denomination demonstrates some of the most intolerant views towards LGBTQ members and the larger LGBTQ community.^[60] Noted in its spiritual teachings, this religious organization instructs its members to suppress same-sex behaviors and feelings. The organization preaches that homosexuality (queerness) is a choice that can be rejected. Embracing queerness within the JW organization will result in disfellowshiping, which involves a public denouncement of the congregant and an expulsion from the congregation.^[61]In the Jehovah's witness branch of Christianity, LGBTQ is seen as something to be shamed.  Within a study of 245 Jehovah's witnesses, 76% agreed that LGBTQ practices should be discouraged, while only 16% thought these ideas should be encouraged.^[62]  The remaining 8% seemed to have no opinion or were neutral on the situation.  Another study was conducted on Jehovah's witnesses with a range of ages from 18 to 29, 30–49, 50–64,65+.  The majority of those who were against LGBTQ practices came from the 30–49 age range, with the percentage being 34%.^[62]  Jehovah's witnesses can be 'disfellowshipped,' leading to ostracism from former support and social groups.  'Disfellowshipping' can occur if sin is committed that is seen as weighty and is not repented for.^[63]  Homosexual or LGBTQ practices would fall under the category of a sin which could lead to disfellowshipping.  Within a survey of 187 Jehovah's witnesses, 90% strongly opposed same-sex marriage and would classify it as something against their religion.^[62]   

Other Christian churches, such as theChurch of England,^[64]United Church of Canada, theUnited Church of Christ, thePresbyterian Church (U.S.A.), theEvangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, theEvangelical Lutheran Church in America,^[65] the LutheranChurch of Sweden, the LutheranChurch of Denmark, the LutheranChurch in Norway, the LutheranChurch of Iceland, theProtestant Church of the Netherlands, theUnited Protestant Church in Belgium, theUnited Protestant Church of France, the German Lutheran, Reformed and United Churches inEvangelical Church in Germany, theOld Catholic Church, theAnglican Church in Canada, theEpiscopal Church in United States, and theScottish Episcopal Church do not consider same-sex relations immoral, and will ordainLGBTQ clergy and celebrateblessings of same-sex marriages. Liberal Quakers, those in membership ofBritain Yearly Meeting andFriends General Conference in the United States, approve of same-sex marriage and unions and conduct same-sex marriage ceremonies in the United Kingdom.^[66][67][68]

Unitarian Universalism and theUnitarian Universalist Association (UUA) have a long-standing tradition of welcoming LGBTQ people. The first ordained minister of any religion in the US or Canada tocome out was the Rev.James Stoll in 1969.^[69] There have been UUA resolutions supporting people regardless of sexual orientation since 1970, and a popular program of becoming a "Welcoming Congregation" since 1989. The UUA has officially supported UUA clergy performing Services of Union between same-sex couples since 1984,^[70] and has supportedsame-sex marriage since 1996.^[71]

TheCanadian Unitarian Council (CUC) similarly operates a Gender and Sexual Diversity Monitoring Group^[72] and, like the UUA (of which it became autonomous in 2002), has Welcoming Congregations.^[73] The Canadian Unitarian Universalist congregations perform same-sex marriages and the CUC supports this work through its Lay Chaplaincy program.^[74]

The American branch ofConservative Judaism formally approves of same-sex marriage ceremonies.^[75] As of 1992 with theReport of the Reconstructionist Commission on Homosexuality, the Reconstructionist Movement of Judaism has expressed its support for same-sex marriages as well as the inclusion of gay and lesbian people in all aspects of Jewish life. TheJewish Reconstructionist Federation leaves the choice of whether or not to perform same-sex marriages to individual rabbis but the procedure is included in the ReconstructionistRabbi's Manual and many choose to use the traditional language and symbols ofkiddushin.^[76][77] Reform Judaism, the largest Jewish denomination in the United States, is generally supportive of LGBTQ rights and marriage.^[78][79]

Attitudes towards LGBTQ people and their experiences in theMuslim world have been influenced by its religious, legal, social, political, and cultural history.^{[9][15][18][19][20]} The religious stigma andsexual taboo associated with homosexuality in Islamic societies can have profound effects for those Muslims who self-identify as LGBTQ.^{[9][13][80][81]} Today, most LGBTQ-affirming Islamic organizations and individual congregations are primarily based in theWestern world andSouth Asian countries; they usually identify themselves with theliberal and progressive movements within Islam.^[9][82][83]

Homosexual acts areforbidden in traditionalIslamic jurisprudence and they are liable to different punishments, includingflogging,stoning, and thedeath penalty,^[13][19][15] depending on the situation andlegal school.^[13] However, homosexual relationships were generally tolerated inpre-modern Islamic societies,^[19][20][15] and historical records suggest that these laws were invoked infrequently, mainly in cases ofrape or other "exceptionally blatant infringement onpublic morals".^[15] Public attitudes toward homosexuality in the Muslim world underwent a marked negative change starting from the 19th century through theglobal spread ofIslamic fundamentalist movements such asSalafism andWahhabism,^[13] and the influence of the sexual notions and restrictive norms prevalent inEurope at the time: a number of Muslim-majority countries have retained criminal penalties for homosexual acts enacted under Europeancolonial rule.^[13]

In recent times, extremeprejudice,discrimination, andviolence against LGBTQ people persists, bothsocially and legally, in much of the Muslim world,^[9] exacerbated by increasinglysocially conservative attitudes and the rise ofIslamist movements in Muslim-majority countries.^[10][13] There are laws againsthomosexual sexual activities in a large number of Muslim-majority countries, which prescribe thedeath penalty in a limited number of them.^[14]

Islamic views on homosexuality are also influenced by the rulings prescribed by theQuran and the teachings of theIslamic prophetMuhammad.^[18][84] The mainstream interpretation of some Quranic verses andhadith condemn sexual acts between members of the same sex, along with most forms ofextramarital relations.^[9][85] In the late 1980s, MuftiMuhammad Sayyid Tantawy ofEgypt issued afatwa supporting the right for those who fit the description ofmukhannathun to havesex reassignment surgery;Ayatollah Khomeini ofIran issued similarfatwas around the same time.^[16][17] Khomeini's initialfatwa concernedintersex individuals as well, but he later specified thatsex reassignment surgery was also permissible in the case of transgender individuals.^[16][17]

Becausehomosexuality is illegal in Iran but beingtransgender is legal, some gay individuals have been forced to undergo sex reassignment surgery and transition into the opposite sex, regardless of their actual gender identity.^[86] Therefore, transgender people are generally more accepted, provided they conform to traditional gender norms post-transition; for example, the Iranian government not only allows and recognizessex reassignment surgery, but also subsidizes the procedure for transgender citizens.^[87] In some regions ofSouth Asia such asIndia,Bangladesh, andPakistan, thehijras are officially recognized as athird gender that is neither male nor female,^[88] a concept that some have compared tomukhannathun.^[84]

InFrance there was an Islamic same-sex marriage on 18 February 2012.^[89] In Paris in November 2012 a room in a Buddhist prayer hall was used by gay Muslims and called a "gay-friendly mosque",^[90] and a French Islamic website^[91] is supporting religious same-sex marriage. TheIbn Ruschd-Goethe mosque in Berlin is a liberal mosque open to all types of Muslims, where men and women pray together and LGBTQ worshippers are welcomed and supported.^[92] Other significant LGBTQ-inclusive mosques or prayer groups include the El-Tawhid Juma Circle Unity Mosque in Toronto,^[93][94][95] Masjid an-Nur al-Isslaah (Light of Reform Mosque) in Washington D.C.,^[96][97] Masjid Al-Rabia in Chicago,^[98][97][99] Unity Mosque in Atlanta,^[100][101] People's Mosque in Cape Town South Africa,^[102][103] Masjid Ul-Umam mosque in Cape Town,^[104] Qal'bu Maryamin in California,^[105][106] and the Nur Ashki Jerrahi Sufi Community in New York City.^[107][108]

Muslims for Progressive Values, based in the United States andMalaysia, is "a faith-based, grassroots, human rights organization that embodies and advocates for the traditional Qur'anic values of social justice and equality for all, for the 21st Century."^[109][110] MPV has recorded "a lecture series that seeks to dismantle the religious justification for homophobia in Muslim communities." The lectures can be viewed at MPV Lecture Series.^[111] The Mecca Institute is an LGBT-inclusive and progressive online Islamic seminary, and serves as an online center of Islamic learning and research.^[97][112]

TheBaháʼí Faith teaches that the only acceptable form of sexual expression is withinmarriage, andBaháʼí marriage is defined in the religion's texts as exclusively between one man and one woman.^[113][114] Baháʼís stress the importance of absolutechastity for any unmarried person,^[115] and focus on personal restraint. TheUniversal House of Justice, the elected governing body of the Baháʼí Faith, has stated that "the Faith does not recognize homosexuality as a 'natural' or permanent phenomenon."^[116] The Universal House of Justice has approved of and encouraged Shoghi Effendi's idea of possible medical treatment.^[117]However, membership in the Baháʼí community is open to lesbian and gay adherents,^[118] who are to be "advised and sympathized with".^{[119][120][121]}

Hinduism has taken various positions, ranging from positive to neutral or antagonistic. Referring to the nature ofsamsara, theRigveda, one of the four canonicalsacred texts of Hinduism says 'Vikruti Evam Prakriti' (perversity/diversity is what nature is all about, or, what seems un-natural is also natural), which some scholars believe recognizes homosexuality as natural, if not an approval of homosexuality.^[122] Sexuality is rarely discussed openly in Hindu society, and LGBTQ issues are largely ataboo subject — especially among the strongly religious. A "third gender" has been acknowledged within Hinduism sinceVedic times. Several Hindu texts, such asManu Smriti^[123] andSushruta Samhita, assert that some people are born with either mixed male and female natures, or sexually neuter, as a matter of natural biology. They worked ashairdressers, flower-sellers, servants,masseurs andprostitutes. Today, many people that identify ashijras are officially recognized as athird gender that is neither male nor female in India;^[88] they mostly live on the margins of society, and many still work in prostitution, or make a livelihood as beggars.^[124]

Several Hindu religious laws contain injunctions against homosexual activity, while some Hindu mythologies speaks favorably of lesbian relations and some third-gendered individuals were highly regarded by Hindu legends. Hindu groups are historically not unified regarding the issue of homosexuality, each one having a distinct doctrinal view.^{[125][126][127]}

A damsel who pollutes (another) damsel must be fined two hundred (panas), pay the double of her (nuptial) fee, and receive ten (lashes with a) rod.

.^[128]

The IndianKama Sutra, written in the 4th century CE, contains passages describingeunuchs or "third-sex" males performingoral sex on men.^[129] However, the author was "not a fan of homosexual activities" and treated such individuals with disdain, according to historianDevdutt Pattanaik.^[130] Similarly, some medieval Hindu temples and artifacts openly depict both male homosexuality and lesbianism within their carvings, such as the temple walls atKhajuraho. Some infer from these images that Hindu society and religion were previously more open to variations in human sexuality than they are at present.

In some Hindu sects (specially among the hijras), many divinities areandrogynous. There are Hindu deities who areintersex (both male and female); who manifest in all three genders; who switch from male to female or from female to male; male deities with female moods and female deities with male moods; deities born from two males or from two females; deities born from a single male or single female; deities who avoid the opposite sex; deities with principal companions of the same sex, and so on.^[131] However, this is not accepted by the majority of Hindus, and is often considered heretical in nature. Those who do accept it justify with the belief that both God and nature are unlimitedly diverse and God is difficult to comprehend.

Several Hindu priests have performed same-sex marriages, arguing that love is the result of attachments from previous births and that marriage, as a union of spirit, is transcendental to gender. It is often regarded that Hinduism does not condemn homosexuality.

According to thePāli Canon andĀgama (theearly Buddhist scriptures), there is nothing saying that same or opposite gender relations have anything to do with sexual misconduct,^[132][133] and someTheravādinBuddhist monks express that same-gender relations do not violate the rule to avoid sexual misconduct, which means not having sex withpeople under age (thus protected by their parents or guardians), someonebetrothed ormarried, and those who have taken vows ofreligious celibacy.^[134]

Views on homosexuality and LGBTQ rights differ in theBuddhist tradition. However, many Buddhist leaders and groups have been historically supportive and continue to be supportive of LGBTQ people.^{[135][136][137][138]} The renownedThiền Buddhist master,Thích Nhất Hạnh, remarked that the spirit of Buddhism is inclusiveness and stated that "when you look at the ocean, you see different kinds of waves, many sizes and shapes, but all the waves have water as their foundation and substance. If you are born gay or lesbian, your ground of being in the same as mine. We are different, but we share the same ground of being."^[139][140]

Japan'sculture andmajor religions don't have a history of hostility towards homosexuality.^[141] Same-sex marriages are performed atShunkō-in, aRinzai Zen Buddhist temple inKyoto, Japan.^[142] Some modern Buddhist leaders were active in the movement for same-sex marriage rights inTaiwan, which legalized same-sex marriages in 2019.^{[143][144][145][146]} Some adherents of theNavayāna (Ambedkarite) Buddhist tradition are supporting LGBTQ rights within their larger activist activities.^[147] InThailand, some leaders in theTheravāda tradition including Phra Payom Kalayano have expressed support for LGBTQ rights.^{[148][149][150]}

In 1997, the14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso declared: "From a Buddhist point of view, men-to-men and women-to-women is generally considered sexual misconduct."^[151] However, this view expressed by the Dalai Lama is not based on the teachings ofGautama Buddha but derived from some laterAbhidharma texts.^[152] Moreover, the Dalai Lama has repeatedly "voiced his support for the full recognition of human rights for all people, regardless of sexual orientation."^[153] In the most recent interview with the Dalai Lama on this topic (10 March 2014), the Dalai Lama said gay marriage is "OK", provided it's not in contradiction with the values of one's chosen religion.^[154][155] Also in the Tibetan tradition, theNalandabodhisangha has stated that they are welcoming of all sexual orientations and well-known Bhutanese lamaKhyentse Norbu has expressed support for LGBTQ rights inBhutan.^[156]

InWestern Buddhist denominations, there is widescale support for LGBTQ rights from Buddhist groups and organizations, including theEuropean Buddhist Union,^[157] the Buddhist Churches of America,^{[158][159][160]} many Shin Buddhist groups,^[161] and Zen leaders such asThích Nhất Hạnh.^[162][139] The Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils (FABC), representing Buddhist laypeople, and the Australian Sangha Association vocally supportedsame-sex marriage in Australia.^[163] Soka Gakkai International-USA (SGI-USA) is the most diverse Buddhist community in the United States with more than 500 chapters and some 100 centers throughout the country supports LGBTQ rights.^[164] AmericanSoka Gakkai Buddhists have performed same-sex union ceremonies since the 1990s.^[165] In aPew Research poll, 88% of American Buddhists stated that homosexuality should be accepted.^[166] This was a higher level of support than any other religious group studied.^[166]

The Sikh holy book, theGuru Granth Sahib, does not explicitly mention homosexuality. The Guru Granth Sahib is seen as the spiritual authority on all Sikh matters.

Some modern Sikh leaders have condemned homosexuality. Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti of the temporal Sikh authority (Akal Takht), has condemned homosexuality while reminding visiting Sikh-CanadianMembers of Parliament (MPs) of their religious duty to opposesame-sex marriage.^[167] The Sikh religious body, theAkal Takht, has issued an edict condemning gay marriage.^[168]

Other Sikhs point out that Sikhism does not condemn homosexuality or gay marriage^[169] reminding them that the Guru Granth Sahib leaves this as a matter of personal conscience.^[170]

Tu'er Shen, also known as the Rabbit God, is a gayChinese deity. In 2006, Lu Wei-mingfounded a temple for Tu'er Shen inYonghe District in theNew Taipei City inTaiwan,^[171] which has been called the world's only religious shrine for gay people.^[172] About 9,000 pilgrims visit the temple each year praying to find a suitable partner.^[173] The Wei-ming temple also performs love ceremonies for gay couples.^[174]

Historically, theShinto "had no special code of morals and seems to have regarded sex as a natural phenomenon to be enjoyed with few inhibitions."^[175] WhileShinto beliefs are diverse, Shinto doesn't condemn homosexuality,^[175] and the formally organizedKonkokyo sect is fully affirming.^{[176][177][178]} Multiple Shinto leaders advocated in support ofgay marriage in Hawaii.^[179]

Homosexuality is religiously acceptable inHaitian Vodou.^{[180][181][182]} The lwa or loa (spirits) Erzulie Dantor and Erzulie Freda are often associated with and viewed as protectors of queer people.^[183][184]

WithinCandomblé, asyncretic religion primarily found in Brazil, there is widespread (though not universal) support for gay rights, many members are LGBT, and have performed gay marriages.^{[185][186][187][185]} Practitioners ofSantería, primarily found in Cuba, generally (though not universally) welcome LGBTQ members and include them in religious or ritual activities.^[188][189] Also a Brazilian syncretic religion,Umbanda houses generally support LGBTQ rights and have performed gay marriages.^{[190][187][185][191]} Homosexuality is religiously acceptable inHaitian Vodou.^{[180][181][182]} The lwa or loa (spirits)Erzulie Dantor andErzulie Freda are often associated with and viewed as protectors of queer people.^[183][184] The laoGhede Nibo is sometimes depicted as an effeminate drag queen and inspires those he inhabits to lascivious sexuality of all kinds.^[192][193]

Individuals who went against the traditionalgender binary were heavily involved in the cult ofInanna, an ancient Mesopotamian goddess.^[194][195] During Sumerian times, a set of priests known asgala worked in Inanna's temples, where they performed elegies and lamentations.^[194] Men who becamegala sometimes adopted female names and their songs were composed in the Sumerianeme-sal dialect, which, in literary texts, is normally reserved for the speech of female characters. Some Sumerian proverbs seem to suggest thatgala had a reputation for engaging inanal sex with men.^[196] During the Akkadian Period,kurgarrū andassinnu were servants of Ishtar whodressed in female clothing and performed war dances in Ishtar's temples.^[196] Several Akkadianproverbs seem to suggest that they may have also had homosexual proclivities.^[196] Gwendolyn Leick, an anthropologist known for her writings on Mesopotamia, has compared these individuals to the contemporary Indianhijra.^[194] In one Akkadian hymn, Ishtar is described as transforming men into women.^[196] Some modern pagans include Inanna in their worship.^[197]

Among theIndigenous peoples of the Americas prior to theEuropean colonization, many Nations had respected ceremonial, religious, and social roles for homosexual, bisexual, and gender-nonconforming individuals in their communities and in many contemporaryNative American andFirst Nations communities, these roles still exist.^{[198][199][200][201]} Homosexual and gender-variant individuals were also common among other pre-conquest civilizations inLatin America, such as theAztecs,Mayans,Quechuas,Moches,Zapotecs, and theTupinambá of Brazil and were accepted in their various religions.^[202][203]

Since the beginning of thesexual liberation movement in the Western world, which coincided withsecond-wave feminism and thewomen's liberation movement initiated in the early 1960s,^[204][205] new religious movements and alternative spiritualities such asModern Paganism and theNew Age began to grow and spread across the globe alongside their intersection with the sexual liberation movement and thecounterculture of the 1960s,^[204][205] and exhibited characteristic features, such as the embrace ofalternative lifestyles, unconventional dress, rejection ofAbrahamic religions and theirconservative social mores, use ofcannabis and otherrecreational drugs, relaxed attitude,sarcastic humble or self-imposed poverty, andlaissez-fairesexual behavior.^[204][205] The sexual liberation movement was aided by feminist ideologues in their mutual struggle to challenge traditional ideas regardingfemale sexuality,male sexuality, andqueer sexuality.^[205] Elimination of undue favorable bias towards men and objectification of women, as well as support for women's right to choose their sexual partners free of outside interference or societal judgment, were three of the main goals associated with sexual liberation from the feminist perspective.^[205]

MostNeopagan religions have the theme of fertility (both physical and creative/spiritual) as central to their practices, and as such encourage what they view as a healthy sex life, consensual sex between adults, regardless of gender.

Heathenry, amodern Germanic Pagan movement, includes several pro-LGBTQ groups. Some groups legitimize openness toward LGBTQ practitioners by reference to the gender-bending actions ofThor andOdin inNorse mythology.^[206] There are, for instance, homosexual andtransgender members ofThe Troth, a prominent U.S. Heathen organisation.^[206] Many Heathen groups in Northern Europe performsame-sex marriages,^[207] and a group of self-described "Homo-Heathens" marched in the 2008Stockholm Pride carrying a statue of the Norse godFreyr.^[208] Research found a greater proportion of LGBTQ practitioners within Heathenry (21%) than wider society, although noted that the percentage was lower than in other forms of modern Paganism.^[209]

Wicca, like other religions, has adherents with a broad spectrum of views, ranging from conservative to liberal. It is a largely nondogmatic religion and has no prohibitions against sexual intercourse outside of marriage or relationships between members of the same sex. The religion's ethics are largely summed up by theWiccan Rede: "An it harm none, do as thou wilt", which is interpreted by many as allowing and endorsing responsible sexual relationships of all varieties. Specifically in the Wiccan tradition of modern witchcraft, one of the widely accepted pieces ofCraft liturgy, the Charge of the Goddess instructs that "...all acts of love and pleasure are [the Goddess'] rituals",^[210] giving validity to all forms of sexual activity for Wiccan practitioners.

In theGardnerian andAlexandrian forms of Wicca, the "Great Rite" is a sex ritual much like thehieros gamos, performed by a priest and priestess who are believed to embody the Wiccan God and Goddess. The Great Rite is almost always performed figuratively using the athame and chalice as symbols of the penis and vagina. The literal form of the ritual is always performed by consenting adults, by a couple who are already lovers and in private. The Great Rite is not seen as an opportunity for casual sex.^[211]

Pagan groups tend to be relatively accepting of LGBTQ people, same-sex romance, and gender diversity. This has led to a growth in the number of LGBTQ adherents. Some groups continue to use gender essentialist notion causing conflict around non-cisgender individuals and single-gender groups of Pagan people.^[212]: 390

Raëlism, an internationalnew religious movement andUFO religion which was founded in France in 1974,^[213][214] promotes apositive outlook towards human sexuality, including homosexuality.^{[213][214][215][216]} Its founderRaël recognised same-sex marriage, and a Raëlian press release stated that sexual orientation is genetic and it also likeneddiscrimination against gay people toracism.^[217] Some Raëlian leaders have performed licensed same-sex marriages.^[218]

The cult ofSanta Muerte is anew religious movement^[219] centered on the worship of Santa Muerte, acult image,female deity, andfolk saint which is popularly revered inMexicanNeopaganism andfolk Catholicism.^[220][221] Apersonification of death, she is associated with healing, protection, and safe delivery to theafterlife by her devotees.^[222] Santa Muerte is also revered and seen as a saint and protector ofLGBTQ people in Mexico,^{[223][224][225][226][227]} since LGBTQ people are considered and treated as outcasts by theCatholic Church,evangelical churches, and Mexican society at large.^[223][224] Many LGBTQ people ask her for protection from violence, hatred, disease, and to help them in their search for love. Her intercession is commonly invoked insame-sex marriage ceremonies performed in Mexico.^[228][229] TheIglesia Católica Tradicional México-Estados Unidos, also known as the Church of Santa Muerte,recognizes gay marriage and performs religious wedding ceremonies for homosexual couples.^{[230][231][232][233]} According to R. Andrew Chesnut,PhD inLatin American history andprofessor ofReligious studies, the cult of Santa Muerte is the single fastest-growing new religious movement in the Americas.^[219]

TheChurch of Satan has always accepted gays, lesbians and bisexuals since its foundation in 1966.^[234] The church supports legalization of same-sex marriages.^[234]

SomeTheistic Satanists like theOrder of Nine Angles are extremely homophobic, and support and perpetrate hate crimes against LGBTQ people, like theKeillers Park murder perpetrated by the ONA groupTemple of the Black Light.^{[235][236][237]} TheLondon nailbomber that targeted the LGBTQ people and migrants was also inspired by ONA founderDavid Myatt.^[238]

TheChurch of Scientology opposes same-sex marriage^[239] and its founderL. Ron Hubbard called homosexuality a dangerous perversion.^{[240]: 76 [241]: 88–90 [242]} The Church of Scientology's perspectives on homosexuality are based on the writings of its founder, and his statements about homosexuality have led critics to assert thatScientology promoteshomophobia, and being gay or accused of being gay is viewed as negative in the Scientology community.^[243][244] According to a 2018 source, currently used, updated editions of Hubbard'scanonical book,^[245]: 21Dianetics, continue to useheteronormative andanti-gay language and list gay people as perverts who are physically ill and extremely dangerous to society.^{[240]: 78 [246]} Some critics have stated that the church tried tochange their gay attractions through forms of therapy.^[242][247]

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• LGBTQ HumanistsArchived 13 January 2022 at theWayback Machine
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• Religion and LGBTQ people

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