Religion, Faith & Values

As more and more faith traditions take steps to embrace and support LGBT people, GLAAD is working to ensure that mainstream media outlets reflect this progress and show the growing acceptance of LGBT people and issues in many faith communities.

The Religion, Faith & Values team works with denominational groups and faith leaders to help elevate their voices in the mainstream media, and works with both mainstream and faith based media outlets to ensure that the stories of inclusive faith leaders and communities appear in the media.

As a result of GLAAD’s work, more Americans are able to see the evolution within faith traditions and hear the voices of gay, transgender and allied people of faith, helping to break the misconception that people of faith are universally opposed to equality.

At GLAAD, we are in the business of changing people's hearts and minds through what they see in the media. Fair, accurate and inclusive media images shatter stereotypes. They prove that we are connected through common, human experiences. And these are stories that we -- and the media -- have a responsibility to share.

What Others Are Saying

"It was such a pleasure to work with you on Soulforce's strategy at the General Assembly for the Presbyterian Church USA. You are a very effective trainer, a powerful advocate, and a superb advisor. GLAAD’s work with Soulforce made a huge difference in the effectiveness of our message. Keep up the good work!"

Peter Drake
Soulforce Board Member and Volunteer
Presbyterian Elder

Religion, Faith & Values Newsletter

To subscribe to our weekly Religion, Faith & Values Newsletter, which highlights the latest in LGBT faith news, send an email to faith@glaad.org with the subject line "subscribe".

To find out more information about our Religion, Faith & Values program, contact us at faith@glaad.org.

Did You Know?

Although the media often portrays communities of faith in opposition to the LGBT community, more than three-quarters of American Jews and Buddhists believe society should accept gay people, as well as more than half of mainline Protestants and Catholics and almost one-third of Muslims.
Many Christian clergy support the LGBT community more and more – almost all clergy (93%) support laws to protect LGBT equality, more than half (62%) support civil unions, and more than one-third (37%) support the right to marry (results from Christian Community survey of 1500 clergy in 32 denominations).
People of faith have been organizing around LGBT concerns for decades and taking historic steps to support the LGBT community in the media – like the California Episcopal bishops announcement that they supported marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples following the historic California marriage decision.
Documentaries and films about faith issues affecting the LGBT community, including “Jihad for Love”, “Trembling Before G-d” and “For the Bible Tells Me So,” have brought the struggle that many LGBT people of faith have with reconciling their religion with their orientation to wider audiences in new ways.
Media images of Bishop Gene Robinson and Rev. Drew Phoenix, along with other ally and openly gay and transgender faith leaders, provides positive role models for those struggling with their orientation and their religion – helping other LGBT people of faith to live openly, honestly and with pride in their communities.
According to a Harris Interactive Survey commissioned by GLAAD and conducted Nov. 13-17, 2008, mainline Christians and Catholics expressed more support than Evangelical Christians around key issues facing the LGBT community, with Mainline Christians often being among the most supportive segments. See the full results of the Harris Interactive Survey.