Religious & Spiritual Resources for LGBTQ Youth & Families: Affirming Theology, Values, Practices & Community Resources

Kelsey Pacha

Training Description

 Religious and/or spiritual beliefs are often the source of anti-LGBTQ beliefs for many families that struggle to accept & affirm system involved LGBTQ youth. However, there are inherent resources within every major world religion (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, & Hinduism) that support affirming LGBTQ people. In this training, participants will explore these sources of spiritual strength with a transgender religious scholar who has published academic works summarizing over 4,000 years of LGBTQ-inclusive religious material, with a focus on tools that providers can use with system involved LGBTQ youth & their families. Participants will practice finding local community-based LGBTQ-inclusive faith resources as well as reviewing five vast & fascinating religious histories.

Learning Objectives

1. Explore LGBTQ-affirming resources in the five major world religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, & Hinduism, with a focus on Christianity.

2. Define eunuch as one type of gender expansive religious figure.