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A Practical Guide to Looking Beyond “Everyone Is Welcome”
Finding a church that says “Everyone is welcome” is easy. Finding one where LGBTQ+ people can truly belong, lead, love, marry, raise families, ask questions, and participate fully can be much harder.
This practical, LGBTQ+ affirming guide helps individuals and families look beyond welcoming language and determine what a church actually believes and practices.
Designed especially for LGBTQ+ people, parents and caregivers, families, and people returning to faith after church harm, the guide provides concrete questions and tools for evaluating a congregation before—and after—you walk through the doors.
Inside you'll find guidance for:
Understanding the difference between welcoming and affirming
Researching a church before visiting
Questions to ask pastors and church leaders
Determining whether LGBTQ+ people have full access to membership, leadership, marriage, and ministry
Evaluating transgender and nonbinary inclusion
Looking closely at children's and youth ministries
Recognizing theology that sounds welcoming but still requires LGBTQ+ people to change
Identifying common red-flag phrases
Evaluating the actual culture of a congregation
Visiting churches after experiencing church harm
Knowing when vague answers deserve more questions
The guide also includes a printable LGBTQ+ Affirming Church Checklist and a Church Comparison Tool so families can research and compare congregations side by side.
This isn't a guide to finding a church that will simply let LGBTQ+ people through the door. It's a resource for finding a community where they can bring their whole lives with them.
Printable PDF • Instant digital download • LGBTQ+ affirming • Faith-friendly • Parent & family resource • Church checklist • Comparison worksheet • Practical questions & red flags
Curiosity & Common Good
Inclusive learning for a kinder world.
A Practical Guide to Looking Beyond “Everyone Is Welcome”
Finding a church that says “Everyone is welcome” is easy. Finding one where LGBTQ+ people can truly belong, lead, love, marry, raise families, ask questions, and participate fully can be much harder.
This practical, LGBTQ+ affirming guide helps individuals and families look beyond welcoming language and determine what a church actually believes and practices.
Designed especially for LGBTQ+ people, parents and caregivers, families, and people returning to faith after church harm, the guide provides concrete questions and tools for evaluating a congregation before—and after—you walk through the doors.
Inside you'll find guidance for:
Understanding the difference between welcoming and affirming
Researching a church before visiting
Questions to ask pastors and church leaders
Determining whether LGBTQ+ people have full access to membership, leadership, marriage, and ministry
Evaluating transgender and nonbinary inclusion
Looking closely at children's and youth ministries
Recognizing theology that sounds welcoming but still requires LGBTQ+ people to change
Identifying common red-flag phrases
Evaluating the actual culture of a congregation
Visiting churches after experiencing church harm
Knowing when vague answers deserve more questions
The guide also includes a printable LGBTQ+ Affirming Church Checklist and a Church Comparison Tool so families can research and compare congregations side by side.
This isn't a guide to finding a church that will simply let LGBTQ+ people through the door. It's a resource for finding a community where they can bring their whole lives with them.
Printable PDF • Instant digital download • LGBTQ+ affirming • Faith-friendly • Parent & family resource • Church checklist • Comparison worksheet • Practical questions & red flags
Curiosity & Common Good
Inclusive learning for a kinder world.