Why LGBTQ+ Christians Are Modern Prophets of the Faith

by Rev. Paul M. Turner in Faith & Witness

We’re all created in God’s image

With Easter Sunday already three weeks in the rearview and quickly receding from memory, all Christians are left to attempt to live a resurrected life. But what we LGBTQ+ Christians in particular get is a cold dose of the same reality confronted by the prophets of yesteryear: We’re not liked or treated today any better than they were.

But the Christianity we affirm has always been a story of inclusion, transformation, and revelation. From the prophets of the Old Testament to the apostles in the New Testament, the faith tradition is rooted in the courageous voices of those who dared to challenge societal norms, advocate for love, and remind humanity of God’s diverse and limitless creation. Today, LGBTQ+ Christians stand as modern-day prophets within the faith, reflecting the radical grace, diversity and love that lie at the heart of the Gospel.

The Bible begins with an inherently inclusive truth in Genesis 1:27:

So God created humankind in God’s image.

Every person, regardless of gender identity, sexuality or expression, embodies the image of God. This foundational tenet serves as a reminder that divinity is reflected in diversity. Therefore, to love one another — to truly see one another — and to affirm one another is to honor the face of God in our midst.

Yet for many LGBTQ+ people, the Church has not felt like a sanctuary; instead, it has been a place of exclusion, judgment, abuse and pain. But our unwavering faith, our resilience in the face of rejection, and our refusal to dim our light reveals God’s glory in profound and prophetic ways. It’s a reminder of Lady Gaga’s bold proclamation: “Do not allow people to dim your shine because they are blinded. Tell them to put on some sunglasses, because we were born this way.”

Prophets have always been rebels

We LGBTQ+ Christians are not anomalies or outliers; we are reflections of divine creativity that refuses to conform to narrow human constructs.

One of the greatest calls for any follower of Christ is to live authentically and courageously. Jesus’s ministry was one of radical truth-telling and self-revelation. He dined with sinners, healed the marginalized and boldly confronted systems of oppression. Similarly, LGBTQ+ Christians stand as a beacons of authenticity, challenging societal norms and inspiring others to live in alignment with their truest selves.

Tammy Baldwin, the first openly LGBTQ+ woman elected to both the U.S. House and Senate, captured the prophetic spirit of this openness when she said: “There will not be a magic day when we wake up and it’s now okay to express ourselves publicly. We make that day by doing things publicly until it’s simply the way things are.”

This is the Christian prophetic call in its modern form — to reshape the world through bold, authentic acts of love and truth. By living openly and joyfully, we LGBTQ+ Christians embody the transformation and liberation promised in Christ.

Prophets have always been rebels. Elijah confronted the false prophets of Baal. John the Baptist called people to repentance in the wilderness. Jesus overturned the tables in the temple, redefining what worship and justice looked like in His time. Similarly, we LGBTQ+ people challenge stagnant traditions and call the Christian church to a greater understanding of love, justice and belonging.

Harvey Fierstein once said, “Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life; define yourself.”

This fierce declaration is akin to God redefining what people believed about God throughout scripture. The God that Christ revealed to the world was not the exclusive God of the powerful, but the inclusive God of love. We LGBTQ+ Christians remind the Church and the world that faith is not static; it is alive, growing, and expanding to reflect the boundless love of the Creator.

Our courage challenges all Christians to ask themselves hard questions about grace, justice, and acceptance. Should the church exclude those whom Christ himself would invite to the table? Can Christianity grow into its prophetic calling if it silences the voices of God’s diverse creation? These are the questions that progressive Christianity must wrestle with in its pursuit of Jesus’s example.

We’re champions of love and community

At its core, Christianity is about love. It’s about loving God, loving our neighbor and loving ourselves.  We LGBTQ+ people, in advocating for our right to love and to be loved, remind everyone of the heart of Christ’s message. Our advocacy for our own dignity and place in the church and society is the opposite of selfish (remember “special rights”?) — in fact, it’s deeply Christ-like. It challenges the church to embody God’s love unconditionally and expand its understanding of kinship.

This is a clarion call to us that echoes the work of the early Church, where believers broke bread together and took care of one another’s needs, regardless of social status, nationality, or background. We LGBTQ+ Christians, through creating spaces of belonging, forging connections, and amplifying love, fulfills this beautiful vision of what it means to be the body of Christ.

LGBTQ+ people’s presence in the church is not a challenge to tradition but a fulfillment of it. By courageously standing in our truth, we offer a prophetic vision of what the kingdom of God could and should look like: a place where everyone feels seen, loved, and valued. We remind the church that it cannot preach love while practicing exclusion. We urge believers to move beyond shallow theology and into the deep waters of grace, justice, and reconciliation.

Progressive Christians, LGBTQ+ allies and theology students all have a role to play in amplifying these prophetic voices.

The question is not whether the Church should include LGBTQ+ believers, but how soon it can fully recognize us as vital leaders, teachers, and representatives of God’s diverse kingdom.

The prophets of old cried out for justice, inclusion and divine truth, often at great personal cost. Today, we LGBTQ+ Christians occupy that sacred space, calling the church to live up to its highest ideals. We are living testimonies of God’s love and creativity, shining examples of authenticity and resilience, and reminders that the Gospel is for everyone.

To follow Christ is to reject fear, bigotry and injustice in all forms. It is to affirm that we are all made in the image of a loving Creator. Will the Church listen to its modern-day prophets? The choice rests in the hands of every believer.

The kingdom of God is wide enough for us all. It always has been. Now is the time to ensure that everyone knows it.

As LGBTQ+ Christians, we are called to spread the love and message of Christ to all people. This means standing up against injustice and inequality and speaking out for those who may not have a voice. We must also strive to be inclusive in our actions and words, welcoming all into the community of God.

It is important for us to listen to our modern-day prophets who bring attention to social issues and call for change. They remind us that our faith should not just be limited to personal salvation but also extend towards creating a better world for everyone.

In today’s society, it is easy to become consumed by fear and division. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to reject these negative forces and instead choose love, unity, and compassion.

We’re called to heal a divided world

We are also called to be peacemakers in a world filled with conflict. This means actively working toward reconciliation and understanding instead of fueling division and hate.

As we strive to live out our faith, let us remember the words of Jesus: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). Let us show love and kindness to all, regardless of their race, gender, religion or any other identity. Let us be known for our empathy and understanding rather than judgment and exclusion.

Together, through our actions and words, let us continue building a more inclusive and compassionate society that reflects the teachings of Jesus Christ. Oh how powerful it would be if the world could see the love and unity within the diverse body of believers. Let us lead by example and show that love knows no boundaries.

Finally, and maybe most importantly, let us also not forget to pray for those who are filled with hate and anger, for they too are in need of God’s love and grace. As difficult as it may be, let us extend forgiveness and seek reconciliation, following the example set by Jesus on the cross.

In a world where division seems to be growing stronger, let us stand firm in our faith and continue spreading love and unity. Let our actions speak louder than words as we strive to make a positive impact on those around us.

And above all, let us never forget the power of prayer and its ability to transform hearts and minds. Through prayer, we can intercede for those in need, seek guidance for ourselves, and draw closer to God. It is through this steadfast connection with Christ that we find the strength to persevere, the courage to love, and the wisdom to act according to God’s will.

May we remain faithful in our devotion, trusting that God’s light will shine even in the darkest of times, leading us toward a future filled with hope and peace. It indeed may feel like Friday — but Sunday has arrived, and we are the Prophets carrying that message to the world.