What is sexual identity?

• As defined by the American Psychological Association (APA, 2011), sexual identity includes:
• Physical identity – biological sex of individual
• Gender identity – belief a person has about their gender
• Social sex role identity – adopted gender role of masculinity and feminity based on cultural norms
• Sexual orientation identity – sexual or emotional attraction

True identity as defined by scripture:
An individual’s identity is not found primarily in their sexual identity, but as an image bearer of God (Gen. 1:26-27), and secondarily as a sinner in need of a savior (Rom. 3:23), who then may find their identity as an adopted son or daughter (Eph. 3:20), and coheir with and in Christ (Rom. 8:17).

Christ should be your identity, not your sexuality.

We are unable to determine our true identity, only Christ knows us from “within”. Our view from the inside of ourselves will always be tainted (Mark 7:21-23)

When we look at protecting our ministries or churches there are significant legal rights and ethical considerations. Religious exemptions are consistently under fire, labeled as an authorized form of institutional discrimination. But they do allows for churches and other religious groups to deny services, affect hiring and firing decisions, providing or obtaining healthcare plans and benefits, based on religious conviction or denominational creed (for now.)

Regardless, we welcome all as image bearers first, remembering the church is always home for the cast out and destitute. A place of sanctuary and refuge. All forms of sexual immorality are equal, and all are sin, and all have sinned.

Do not single out, or specifically target these individuals. Any form of heterosexism should not be permitted.

Loving Like Christ – Being Ready, Relevant and Responsive:

LGTBQI youth and students face various challenges, and may present need for help from school faculty, teachers and counselors.
Many gay and lesbian youths are harassed for not “fitting in” or for “being different”. Many are victim to heterosexism, or the oppression of LGBTQI individuals “that involves prejudice and discriminatory behavior”

Some students may feel shame resulting from internalized heterosexism.

Further, some are at risk of being victim to crimes of verbal or physical abuse, or homophobia.

LGBTQI People may be at greater risk for suicide and depression. They may experience low self esteem, depression, suicidal ideations, and self harm. Some may experience minority stress as members of a stigmatized social group in a minority social position.

There is a significant risk for substance abuse, to mask negative feelings.

Guidance for Pastors, and Christian Counselors:

We should maintain a keen sense of awareness and attention to potential mental health issues within their congregations and for those who seek help, and offer help to these individuals as necessary. Every attempt to help the individual or family should be made, or referred to a competent person for further care.

Remember “Discrimination in the guise of referring clients who are LGBTQI is unethical.

We must avoid religious abuse
Religious abuse is the “intentional or unintentional, coercion, threat, rejection, condemnation, manipulation” to force an individual into “submission of the religious views of sexuality”. The individual should be treated with dignity and love, understanding only the gospel can change a person’s worldview, and until they are made alive in Christ, they are subjected to and following the world (Eph. 2:1-3).

Last words:

God created our bodies with unique and non-interchangeable aspects, HE created a need for both men and women. Biological sex is an eternal part of one’s identity. (1 Cor. 15:35-49)

Jesus was born male and raised from the dead male. We are eternal even though in the temporary we may be affected by the fall and sin in the world. As such, LGBTQI feelings and thoughts are temporary and therefore cannot define who we are. The temporary does not define the eternal. You do not define your identity, God does. Sexual attraction does not define identity. Misplaced sexual attraction, hetero or homosexual in nature, is lust, adulturous and sexual immorale.

Biological sex has direct implications for marriage, which ultimatly also illuminates the beauty of the gospel, which is consistetly presented as a marriage union of a bride and groom (Rev. 19:7-9, Rev. 21:2, 2 Corin 11:2, Eph. 5:27). LGBTQI individuals are loved by God despite their sin, as He loved all humans when they were his enemies (Rom. 5:10), and He can make us alive despite our sin (Eph. 2:4-10).

The gospel is for LGBTQI individuals too!