Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Publishes Handbook on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has published its handbook on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

According to the Christian Post, the handbook, “Lutheran Introduction to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression,” was created by ReconcilingWorks, a Lutheran ministry that helps “all sexual orientations and gender identities.”

“Many LGBTQIA+ people have learned by experience that they are not truly welcome in church, even in churches that state, ‘All are welcome here!’ says ReconcilingWorks in the introduction of the handbook.

“A general statement of welcome is often heard as meaning ‘everybody but me,’ so it can take a special effort to communicate an authentic welcome to LGBTQIA+ people,” the ministry said.

The handbook is meant to help congregations reach out to members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

“If you don’t know which identity terms, pronouns or titles to use, and find yourself getting ‘stuck’ on terms, re-center yourself on the fact you are talking about a person,” the handbook says. “It is also ok to ask which pronouns one prefers, or just avoid using gendered terms. Remember, all you need to welcome someone is their name.”

The handbook also defines gender identity as “a person’s innate, deeply felt psychological identification as a man, woman or another gender,…