Sexual orientation is a core part of a person’s identity and a gift from God.
About 1 in 10 people identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, or some other non-heterosexual orientation. In the Catholic Church, this statistic reveals just how many LGBTQ+ people are integral members of the people of God. We must continue building a Church where all are welcome.
What is Sexual Orientation?
According to the American Psychological Association, sexual orientation is “a component of identity that includes a person’s sexual and emotional attraction to another person and the behavior and/or social affiliation that may result from this attraction. A person may be attracted to men, women, both, neither, or to people who are genderqueer, androgynous, or have other gender identities. Individuals may identify as lesbian, gay, heterosexual, bisexual, queer, pansexual, or asexual, among others.”
Learn More
Bondings 2.0 – A blog with the latest Catholic LGBT news, opinion, and spirituality. See the categories “Spirituality & Pastoral Ministry” and “Theology & Church Teaching”
Always Our Children – Statement from the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Marriage and Family to parents of lesbian/gay people and pastoral ministers.
Church Teaching on Pastoral Care and Outreach
Church Teaching on Prejudice, Discrimination, and Civil Rights
Church Teaching on Sexual Orientation
Church Teaching on Sexual Ethics for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual People
Voices of Hope: A Collection of Positive Catholic Writings on Lesbian/Gay Issues
Listing of LGBTQ-Friendly Catholic Colleges & Universities
Listing of LGBTQ-Friendly Parishes & Faith Communities