Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement's Origins: How Group Came Into Being

The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement is an international charity headquartered in the United Kingdom. The group addresses lesbian and gay Christian concerns, as well as transgender issues.

The charity challenges what it terms "homophobia" and "transphobia" within churches and faith-based organizations that have difficulty accepting followers of certain sexual preferences and identities.

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The organization began as the Gay Christian Movement in 1976 with local chapters opening up the following year. Over the years, sub-groups have included the Women's Group, the Evangelical Fellowship and the Young Lesbian and Gay Christians.The official name was changed to the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement in 1987.

Membership in the LGCM grew throughout the world with members joining from major denominations and non-denominational affiliates. Members experienced opposition, but maintained the goal of keeping themselves attached to Christianity along with achieving acceptance in traditional churches.

Attempts at acceptance included pointing out Christ's message of loving one's neighbors as a way of preventing or reducing discrimination within churches and religious groups. The LGCM began achieving successes within traditional religious circles as the lesbian and gay rights movement also grew.

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The organization depended on member donations, as well as subscriptions to periodicals as a way of supporting the movement financially. It also received encouragement and support from a growing number of prominent theologians who spoke at their conferences or wrote books and articles on Christian acceptance of gays and lesbians.

Through the work of the LGCM and supporting organizations, more churches began to embrace the inclusion of Christians of various sexual preferences, including more than 5,000 churches in the U.S. Several major Christian denominations have passed policies allowing the ordination and inclusion of gays and lesbians in their church.

The LGCM applauded the Roman Catholic Church's Synod in October 2014 convened by Pope Francis. Among the special council's pronouncements, the Roman Catholic bishops called on the church to welcome and accept lesbian and gay Christians.

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