Pocket of Faith is a monthly newsletter directly geared towards the intersection of LGBTQ+ human rights and faith. We are proud to showcase this important subject, revealing that faith, religion, and LGBTQ+ rights co-exist in harmony and not in opposition.
Written by Jai Davis (they/them), faith organizer for Georgia Equality
Faith and Queerness: A Call to Become Neighbors
Bayard Rustin once said, “And the easiest way to combat that feeling of not being enough is to find someone we consider less than. Less than because they are poorer than us. Less than because they are darker than us. Less than because they desire someone our churches and our laws say they should not desire. When we tell ourselves such lies, start to live and believe such lies, we do the work of our oppressors by oppressing ourselves.”
Faith and queerness intersect in ways that demand our attention, not just as a theoretical reflection but as a lived reality. At this intersection, a troubling tension persists—a widespread notion that faith communities cannot or should not advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. But I argue the opposite. Faith, at its best, is not a tool of exclusion but a foundation for liberation. It demands justice, radical love, and the courage to stand with those most marginalized.
This call is urgent. Across the country, legislative attacks are escalating, targeting the rights and dignity of queer and trans individuals. These attacks do not exist in a vacuum—they are fueled by the same ideologies that strip away bodily autonomy, deny racial justice, and reject the full humanity of so many. For queer people, particularly Black and Brown queer folks and trans individuals, these attacks are not just political; they are deeply personal. They threaten the sacredness of living authentically, freely, and safely in one’s truth.
In this moment, especially as the legislative session begins on January 13th, we cannot afford to sit on the sidelines. It is not enough to be allies, watching from a distance or offering words of encouragement. Faith calls us to something deeper and bolder. We are called to become neighbors.
What does it mean to be a neighbor? It means showing up—not when it is convenient or comfortable, but when it is necessary. It means listening deeply to those who are most impacted and centering their voices, experiences, and needs. It means standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the marginalized, not as saviors but as partners in the fight for equity and justice. Being a neighbor means understanding that our liberation is bound together and that no one is truly free until we all are.
To people of faith, I offer this reminder: the sacred is found on the margins. The divine dwells in the lives of those too often dismissed, erased, or excluded. Faith without action is hollow; it loses its power to transform the world. This is the time to live into the radical hospitality, love, and justice that faith demands.
Let us not forget that justice is a collective endeavor. We need each other. We need bold voices in the halls of power, courageous hearts in our communities, and the unyielding conviction that all people—especially LGBTQ+ individuals—deserve to live, love, and thrive without fear.
I urge you to join me in this fight. Whether through advocacy, showing up at rallies, calling your legislators, or amplifying the voices of queer and trans leaders, your action matters. Together, we can dismantle the systems that harm and build a world rooted in dignity, equity, and love.
Will you answer the call? Will you step into this moment, not just as an ally but as a neighbor?
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