With celebration of the Supreme Court of the United States’ recent marriage equality decision sweeping the nation, I thought now would be a good time to examine where Christian denominations are at on LGBTQ issues. When I decided to compile a list of denominations that discriminate (based primarily on ordination, marriage and a variety of other indicators of inclusion), I knew that my efforts would not be an exact science. The list I compiled is based on an amalgamation of researched information and personal knowledge. This list is not a complete or perfect list. While some might question the usefulness of this list (or even if some of the groups I include should be on here), I simply wanted to illustrate that the vast majority of denominations in our nation are still homophobic, transphobic and queerphobic. Though much progress has been made, most of the church landscape in the United States is still a terrifying and violent place for LGBTQ persons. With friends like these, who needs enemies?
The Seventh-Day Adventist Church
The Southern Baptist Convention
American Baptist Churches, USA
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
The United Methodist Church
National Baptist Convention, USA
Reformed Church in America
The Eastern Orthodox Church
The Roman Catholic Church
The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod
The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Most Pentecostal Denominations
Most Anabaptist Denominations
Most Evangelical Denominations
Presbyterian Church in America
Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Friends United Meeting
Friends Evangelical Church
General Church of the New Jerusalem
Vineyard Churches, USA
The African Methodist Episcopal Church
The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
The African Methodist Episcopal Church – Zion
Most Methodist Denominations
The Church of the Nazarene
Church of God in Christ
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Progressive National Baptist Convention
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Most Baptist Denominations
Most Churches of Christ
Assembly of God
Church of God
Salvation Army
Parts of the Community of Christ
Parts of the Episcopal Church
Parts of the Presbyterian Church USA
Parts of the United Church of Christ
Parts of the Disciples of Christ
Parts of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America