Who We Are
Believe Out Loud is a trans-denominational movement that promotes LGBT-inclusion in the Christian church. We are a collaborative project of the nation’s leading religious and secular LGBT organizations. Born out of more than two years of research, planning and development, Believe Out Loud is guided by a Strategic Development Team with representatives from the following organizations:
- Institute for Welcoming Resources of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force
- Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Religion and Faith Program
- Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
- Progressive Christians Uniting
- The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists
- Gay, Lesbian and Affirming Disciples Alliance - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
- Integrity USA – The Episcopal Church
- Lutherans Concerned/North America – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- More Light Presbyterians – Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
- Coalition for LGBT Concerns – United Church of Christ
- Reconciling Ministries Network – United Methodist Church
- Affirm United/S'affirmer Ensemble – United Church of Canada
- Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests - Church of the Brethren Mennonite Church USA, Mennonite Church Canada
- Room for All – Reformed Church in America
- Welcoming Community Network – Community of Christ
- Intersections International
Funders
Believe Out Loud is supported by generous contributions from individuals like you. Key foundation support is provided by The Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, The Arcus Foundation, The H. van Ameringen Foundation, Inc. and the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation.
Still have questions about who we are? Contact Us.
How Do I contact Believe Out Loud?
Find our contact information here.
Which denominations endorse marriage equality/perform same-gender holy unions?
There is a growing body of pastors from a variety of denominations who perform same-sex marriages (where legal) and holy unions (where marriage equality is not yet legal). If you are looking for a pastor to perform your ceremony, check out our Map of Welcoming Churches, which lists thousands of LGBT-inclusive churches throughout the United States.
The Institute for Welcoming Resources tracks LGBT policy at a number of major denominations. A summary of those policies on marriage equality is below:
American Baptist Church - The decision to perform LGBT unions is left up to individual churches/pastors.
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - The DOC does not denominationally endorse marriage equality, but there are local DOC churches and pastors who recognize and perform same-gender unions, including marriage.
Episcopal Church - The Episcopal Church recognizes the right of each of its Bishops (regional heads of church) to decide whether its diocese will perform LGBT unions, including marriage where legal. Within endorsing dioceses, the decision to perform unions is left up to individual pastors.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - The ELCA supports the right of local churches and pastors to bless and perform same-gender ceremonies, including marriage where legal.
Metropolitan Community Churches - The MCC denominationally endorses marriage equality and performs holy unions and same-gender marriages.
Presbyterian Church (USA) - The PCUSA does not denominationally endorse marriage equality, but they recently lifted a ban on gay clergy and there are individual Presbyterian pastors who perform holy unions and same-gender marriages.
Reformed Church in America - The RCA does not denominationally endorse marriage equality, but there are local RCA churches and pastors that recognize and perform same-gender-loving unions, including marriages.
United Church of Canada - The United Church of Canada endorses marriage equality and recognizes same-gender-loving couples; the decision to perform LGBT unions is left up to individual pastors.
United Church of Christ - The UCC denominationally endorses marriage equality and recognizes same-gender-loving couples; the decision to perform LGBT unions is left up to individual pastors. The UCC was the first mainline Protestant denomination to support marriage equality.
United Methodist Church - The UMC is denominationally against marriage equality and same-gender unions; however, there is a growing number of pastors and churches in the UMC that are intentionally defying this denominational stance and performing marriages and unions for all.
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations - The UUA denominationally endorses marriage equality, recognizes same-gender-loving couples and performs LGBT unions.
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