Support for LGBTQIA+ individuals
Kinship is a community where everybody belongs
Every life path deserves to be honored. Your story matters here.
Your identity, the connections you cherish, and your beliefs create a vibrant tapestry that deserves to be celebrated and amplified.
Too often, people feel pressured to hide parts of themselves to fit into predefined boxes, whether in faith communities or the LGBTQIA+ community.
SDA Kinship exists to challenge that notion, creating a welcoming environment where every aspect of who you are is not just accepted but genuinely invited.
Accepting that invitation can be both exciting and complex. We understand that you may have faced challenges, might not be ready to fully embrace your identity, or may be exploring what community means for the first time.
We respect your journey and are here to support you exactly where you are.
Your Mental Health
Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are 2.5 times as likely as straight, cisgender individuals to experience depression, anxiety, and substance misuse, so we have to be vigilant to keep ourselves safe.
You can take care of your own mental health by first fully accepting yourself as you are, giving yourself room to live a full, vibrant, and authentic life, and then finding spaces where you will be safe and supported in that same journey.
Lean on your community where you can and keep an eye out for these signs that it’s time to seek care from professionals:
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You feel tired all the time
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You shut yourself away from people
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You think about harming yourself or others
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You lack interest in things you used to enjoy
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You use substances to cope with your feelings
If you urgently need support, here are some places you can call for help or visit their websites for more information and long-term resources.
Trans Lifeline
LGBT National Hotline
THRIVE Lifeline (SMS)
The Trevor Project
“I’m so happy just to be able to talk and ask questions and get safe answers.”
- Kinship member
Navigating Your Faith & Identity
For some of us, being part of the LGBTQIA+ community and being a person of faith are just small pieces of who we are. For others, these are central to how we see ourselves in the world.
Everyone deserves the chance to explore and embrace both parts of their identity. But what does it mean to bring your identity as a queer or questioning person into harmony with your faith?
It means taking time and energy to:
Affirm your identity within yourself
Mindfully or prayerfully reflect on your personal faith journey
Seek out community support for further validation and discussion
Speak openly with others about who you are and what you believe
Revisit scripture to see what the text really has to say about LGBTQIA+ folks
Educate yourself and others on what research says about conversion therapy and LGBTQIA+ identity as a "choice"
Kinship: A Community Where You Belong
SDA Kinship was established to address the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals and their friends, families, and faith leaders, particularly within the SDA Church.
We offer resources, support, and community for members seeking to reconcile their faith with their sexual orientation or gender identity.
We foster an environment where LGBTQIA+ individuals can thrive spiritually and emotionally.
Join us to benefit from:
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A Solid Support System: Receive access to peer support groups and educational resources designed to help navigate both faith and LGBTQIA+ identity
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Group Chats and Forums: Engage in online discussions with others who share similar experiences, creating community and mutual understanding
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Virtual Meetings: Participate in regular online gatherings where members can share experiences, discuss relevant topics, and offer support
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Annual Kinship Kampmeetings: Gather in-person with like-minded folks, learn from special guest speakers, and enjoy fellowship together
LGBTQIA+ Identities
LGBTQIA+ is an acronym that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, and asexual. The "+" symbolizes additional identities beyond the acronym, encompassing diverse and evolving expressions of gender and sexuality.
Often used to describe a woman who is attracted to other women, the term "lesbian" can also include nonbinary individuals in some interpretations. Additionally, some nonbinary people identify as lesbian.
Typically used to refer to a man who is attracted to other men, the term "gay" was once commonly applied as a broad label for all LGBTQ+ individuals. However, more inclusive terms such as "LGBTQ+" or "queer" are now preferred to represent the entire community.
Refers to someone who is attracted to more than one gender. A person identifying as bisexual doesn’t need to have had equal experiences with people of different genders—or any sexual experience at all—to claim this identity. While traditionally described as attraction to “both” genders, the understanding of bisexuality has evolved to include attraction to individuals beyond the gender binary
Is someone whose gender identity does not align with the gender they were assigned at birth. Here are a few key points about transgender experiences:
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The term can serve as both an individual identity and an umbrella term that includes various gender identities, such as nonbinary identities.
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Transgender people come from diverse experiences and backgrounds, and not all choose to or can undergo a transition. Each person’s transition journey is unique.
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"Trans" is a commonly used shorthand for transgender.
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Queer may be used as an umbrella term for the LGBTQIA+ community, generally only by community members and trusted allies. Because of its history as a hateful slur, the word "queer" can be triggering for many LGBTQIA+ elders—even as younger generations reclaim it proudly. As with all terms, you should not assume others' comfort level and you should ask your LGBTQIA+ family members or friends before you use it.
This refers to an individual who is exploring or questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity and has not yet adopted a specific label to describe these aspects of themselves.
Intersex is a physical condition in which an individual's sex traits or reproductive anatomy do not fit typical definitions of male or female. It’s an umbrella term encompassing a range of variations in characteristics like genitals, chromosomes, or reproductive organs, which may be present at birth or emerge later in life.
Asexual, or "Ace," refers to someone who experiences little to no sexual attraction. Although many asexual individuals seek emotionally intimate relationships, they typically do not view sex as a means of expressing that intimacy.
The "+" represents all sexual orientations and gender identities not explicitly included in the acronym's letters. The "+" serves to acknowledge and include the diverse range of identities within the LGBTQ+ community, emphasizing its inclusivity
