To many, the words “Gay Christian” are, at best, in tension with each other. For others, particularly those on the political right, those two words are mutually exclusive: being gay or supporting LGBT rights is utterly inconsistent with being Christian. But, as the recent viral video of outgoing Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd demonstrates, it is quite possible for Christians to embrace same-sex marriage and welcome gays and lesbians into their congregations. Pope Francis himself said this month that gays and lesbians “must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.” Many gays and lesbians themselves are Christians. Yet somehow, in American political discourse, a group of religious politicians have managed to co-opt the term “Christian” and to use “Christian values” as a euphemism for policies that deny gays and lesbians their civil rights.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=204630