In between deadlines, German grammar, ill-advised improv acting classes, and locking myself out of my room too many times for it to still be funny in my first year of university, I have also treated myself to many an existential crisis over religion. I was not raised Christian; however, over my time here in Oxford, I have explored this faith and recently been baptised into it.

This religion is one of love – unfailing, constant, universal love. We believe that we were all made in God’s image and are loved by Him. There are no exceptions, no mistakes. However, this is not the impression that has been made on many who have encountered this religion. Sadly, Christianity has been weaponised and used to hurt, shame, belittle, and condemn others. Many have experienced deep and lasting trauma at the hands of those who claim to follow Christ’s example.

Undoubtedly, the LGBTQ+ community is one which has been repeatedly attacked in the name of Christianity. It is also a community which I am proud to be a part of – I am queer and Christian and unfortunately that means that I have frequently found myself in rooms with people who believe my sexuality is some kind of illness which I must overcome or resist. Let me be clear, I am not ashamed to be bisexual nor is it something I “struggle with” as is often suggested. Time and time again, this faith is used as a justification for homophobia. This is not biblical; it is human prejudice corroborated by mistranslation.

Two aspects of my identity are often pinned against each other, and I wish to show that they do not have to be. I am one of many Christians who whole-heartedly support and affirm the LGBTQ+ community and believe that God’s unending love does not suddenly stop at same-sex relationships.

I have compiled a series of messages from some of the supportive Christians in my life to show that Christianity should never equal discrimination and is not an excuse for hatred. This is the beautiful religion that I belong to.

Being a Christian is appreciating and loving ourselves and others. How can we love others just as much as ourselves if we choose to get swept away by the labels society puts on people, saying that some are not enough or not eligible or worthy of love? Are we living by God or by human ideas of scarcity – as if loving someone too much is overstepping – abiding by status and not mercy and love? How can we live giving our love and letting others fill our life if we pick and choose who is worthy, as if that matters to God? It is known that God loves all. Any hate against the LGBTQ+ community is hence a product of human thought not touched by the Lord. God created all things, we all came from the same Creator and yet people who don’t love members of the queer community choose to disregard the fact that these individuals are our family in Christ. They turn their eyes away, convinced that these individuals are the problem, wearing their own lack of love as a badge of worthiness. I hope that everybody feels the full love from God, no matter their sexuality.

God loves you as you are, and God welcomes you as His child. As a Christian, I feel called not to judge but to love others as I would want to be loved myself. Know that, whoever you are, you are deeply and personally loved by your Creator and by a community of His children.

I think, in general, church can feel more welcoming to some groups than others; however I do believe there are many Christians out there who are accepting of all identities and would like more progress to be made with regards to same-sex marriages. ‘Inclusive church’ is a stamp used by churches that welcome all ethnicities, genders, sexualities and disabilities, so assures non-biased worship which I think is useful to look out for when choosing a church to join. A diverse congregation ensures that we are reading many different interpretations of the Bible and enriches our understanding of the Gospel’s relevance today.

The Jesus of the gospels is a human who loves and is loved. Theologians, mystics, and believers across times, denominations, and even faiths return to the idea that God promises love for all, that God is love. No love, then, can be apart from God. 

The Gospels offer a vision of God’s love as universal, unfailing, and defined by radical and unreserved acceptance and inclusion. There is no place in God’s Kingdom for exclusion or superciliousness, and the suggestion that God’s perfect love for his every child could be marred by sexuality or gender identity is one founded in hatred and a misconstruction of the message of God’s love.

There are many amazing and inclusive role models who have guided me into my faith. But even before I knew God, I was lucky enough to have been raised by parents who taught me to find the good in the world and to love it. With or without faith, I believe prejudice of any kind goes against our humanity.

The Christians I call my friends are selfless, generous, and joyful people who want nothing more than to bring light to the world. I was baptised into a religion that holds me firm in steadfast love and calls me home when I am lost. I know that I am loved, and that every day I pledge to love others, and there is not a voice in the world that could convince me otherwise.

Pride month continues to be important despite some holding the ignorant belief that homophobia no longer exists in 2026. Unfortunately, we continue to live in a world where it requires bravery to love. Same-sex marriage is only legal in 38 countries while in 65 countries homosexuality is criminalised. In 2025, the Office for National Statistics found that the risk of suicide and self-harm is twice as high in people identifying as LGB+ than heterosexual people. The people I love are endangered by members of my own religion.

In this city, “Christians” are preying on drunk people coming out of gay clubs, and telling others that they are going to hell; church leaders are likening homosexuality to alcoholism, and conversion therapy is still being attempted. Right here, surrounding us, insidious and immoral “Christianity” is continuing to push its agenda.

Meanwhile, the Christianity of my heart is quietly and peacefully focussing its prayers on the wellbeing of those in fear, of those in pain, and those who are struggling to put one foot in front of the other and keep going. The rest of us understand that love does not require anyone to change.

To those who have been made to feel lesser, ill, monstrous, and unlovable: there is nothing wrong with you and everything wrong with those who wish to control love. I am truly sorry that anyone ever hid behind this religion and lied. 

If you are a queer Christian reading this, I hope this article has shown you that you are not alone. There are many of us, and many who support us. As Rachel Held Evans writes, “If you’re a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer reader, I hope you already know you don’t need my affirmation to live whole and joyful lives, just as God made you. You are beloved children of God, and there is nothing I or any other Christian writer or church leader can say to alter that. I hope you know, deep in your bones, that there is no height or depth, no angel or demon, no denomination or church or pastor or parent who can separate you from the love of God in Jesus Christ.”

This religion has been claimed by a very vocal group of prejudiced people. But it is our religion too, peacefully and full of love. This world needs more love in it. It is our ever-present salvation, and the gift God left us while we wait for Him to return.

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

– Romans 13:8