Quaker views on sexual orientation

British Quaker discussion

Towards a Quaker View of Sex argued that the moral character of a relationship should be assessed through qualities such as care, responsibility, commitment and self-giving love, rather than the partners’ genders alone.

Later British Friends material described broad support for equal treatment while acknowledging continued disagreement among individual Quakers. It also explained that many British Friends value scripture without treating it as the sole or final authority; communal discernment and continuing spiritual insight remain important.

Hartford, Connecticut

The meeting affirmed committed and loving partnerships and stated that same-sex and different-sex couples seeking marriage under its care should receive equivalent consideration and support.

Beacon Hill, Massachusetts

This meeting grounded its statement in the Quaker conviction that there is something of God in every person. It offered same-sex couples access to its marriage process and recognized their spiritual unions within the meeting.

At that time, civil marriage rights were unequal. The meeting encouraged Friends to consider how their choices and public witness should respond to that legal inequality.

Friends Church Southwest Yearly Meeting

This evangelical body taught that sexual intimacy belonged only within marriage between a man and a woman. It rejected religious recognition of same-sex unions and interpreted several biblical passages as prohibiting same-sex sexual relationships.

The statement also called for pastoral welcome toward people seeking to live by the meeting’s teachings, while opposing instruction that treated same-sex relationships as morally acceptable.

Evangelical Friends Church—Mid America

This yearly meeting likewise presented different-sex marriage as the intended setting for sexual intimacy. Its position relied on traditional readings of Genesis, Leviticus, Romans and First Corinthians.

It framed same-sex sexual activity as conduct from which a believer should turn, while emphasizing that Christian mercy, forgiveness and restoration were available to every person.

Madison, Wisconsin

Quakers participated with area Christian leaders in an affirmation that regarded gay and lesbian people as neighbors and full members of Christian community. The document rejected characterizing sexual orientation as illness or sin and called for the removal of barriers to church participation.

It also acknowledged mistreatment by Christian communities, urged congregations to examine prejudice and welcomed LGBTQ+ Christians who remained engaged in church life.

Aotearoa New Zealand

The yearly meeting adopted a statement in 1995 and published it in 1999. It connected equality and reconciliation with the Quaker belief in the spiritual worth of every person.

The statement publicly welcomed lesbian and gay Friends, supported loving and equal adult relationships, and sought ways to recognize different forms of commitment, including same-sex partnerships. It also called on Friends to confront prejudice and limitations on human rights.