Religion

If God, as they say, is homophobic, I wouldn't worship that God

The Most Reverend Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

Religious faith or other beliefs play an important role in many people’s lives. This is no different for many LGBT people and it is important to point out that the human right to freedom of religion applies to all people, including LGBT people.
 Article 9 (1) of the European Convention of Human Rights affirms every person’s freedom to hold a religious belief and exercise that belief. Article 9 (2) makes clear that art 9 (1) must not be abused to limit the rights and freedoms of others...this includes the rights and freedoms of LGBT people…
LGBT Youth Scotland’s vision is one of a Scotland where every LGBT young person can grow up happy and healthy, and be themselves. This clearly means that LGBT young people with a religious or other belief need to be supported to exercise their religious or other belief without experiencing damaging prejudice and discrimination for being LGBT. It also means that LGBT young people of faith and those of none need to be able to be themselves, without prejudice and discrimination on any ground.

Faith communities and other groups who share a belief system are as diverse as society as a whole, and religious or other principles, core beliefs and scriptures mean different things to different people. There are LGBT people in every faith community and there are now a number of faith groups for LGBT people, and some mainstream faith communities that are welcoming all people without discrimination, including LGBT people. Please visit the links page to see what’s out there for LGBT young people to whom their religious or other belief is important.