Did You Know?

Did You Know?

• Although the media often portrays communities of faith in opposition to the LGBT community, more than three-quarters of American Jews and Buddhists believe society should accept gay people, as well as more than half of mainline Protestants and Catholics and almost one-third of Muslims.
• Many Christian clergy support the LGBT community more and more – almost all clergy (93%) support laws to protect LGBT equality, more than half (62%) support civil unions, and more than one-third (37%) support the right to marry (results from Christian Community survey of 1500 clergy in 32 denominations). 
• People of faith have been organizing around LGBT concerns for decades and taking historic steps to support the LGBT community in the media – like the California Episcopal bishops announcement that they supported marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples following the historic California marriage decision. 
• Documentaries and films about faith issues affecting the LGBT community, including “Jihad for Love”, “Trembling Before G-d” and “For the Bible Tells Me So,” have brought the struggle that many LGBT people of faith have with reconciling their religion with their orientation to wider audiences in new ways. 
• Media images of Bishop Gene Robinson and Rev. Drew Phoenix, along with other ally and openly gay and transgender faith leaders, provides positive role models for those struggling with their orientation and their religion – helping other LGBT people of faith to live openly, honestly and with pride in their communities.
• According to a Harris Interactive Survey commissioned by GLAAD and conducted Nov. 13-17, 2008, mainline Christians and Catholics expressed more support than Evangelical Christians around key issues facing the LGBT community, with Mainline Christians often being among the most supportive segments. See the full results of the Harris Interactive Survey.