5 Tips To Make Your Church Youth Space LGBTQ Youth Friendly
As a place of worship and community, your church youth-focused space group should be welcoming to all who wish to join, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This space can actually let youth know quickly that this is a safe space. This can be so important in a state like Arkansas, where a lot of the state leadership often seems to be anti-LBTQ.
Here are five tips to make your church youth group room more welcoming to LGBTQ+ teenagers and their families:
Great Room at All Saint’s Episcopal Church in Russelville, AR.
Display Inclusive Signage.
The first step to creating an inclusive environment is to display signs and symbols that communicate your church's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Displaying the rainbow flag or the Transgender Pride flag in your youth group room can help send a clear message that your church is a safe space for all. You can also display posters or signs that have affirming messages, such as "All are Welcome Here" and the sign “God Loves you. No Exceptions”
Use Gender-Neutral Language
Using gender-neutral language is an important step in making LGBTQ+ youth and their families feel welcome in your youth group. Instead of using terms like "boys" and "girls," use gender-neutral terms like "youth," "teens," or "students." Additionally, avoid making assumptions about someone's gender identity based on their appearance or the pronouns they use. Always ask for and use an individual's pronouns.
Have a Diverse Library for Sharing
Creating a diverse library of books and resources can help LGBTQ+ youth and their families feel seen and heard. Make sure to include books that feature LGBTQ+ characters or topics, such as "Alice Austin Lived Here” and other books by Alex Gino or "Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: A Guide for LGBTQ+ Christian Teens" by Leigh Fink. You can also have books about other diverse topics such as race, religion, and disability on hand for families to check out.
Offer Gender-Neutral Restrooms
Having gender-neutral restrooms can be a simple but significant way to make your church youth group room more welcoming to LGBTQ+ teenagers and their families. Providing a gender-neutral restroom can help those who do not feel comfortable using a binary restroom feel more at ease. Make sure to clearly label the restroom as gender-neutral. This can often be most easily accomplished by making restrooms single-use.
Create a Safe and Supportive Environment
Creating a safe and supportive environment is the most critical step in making your church youth group room welcoming to LGBTQ+ teenagers and their families. One way to do this is to train your youth group leaders and staff on how to support and affirm LGBTQ+ youth. Ensure that everyone in the youth group, including the leadership, is aware of the importance of respecting different sexual orientations and gender identities. Additionally, consider offering support groups or counseling for LGBTQ+ youth and their families. Often times local family counselors who specialize in this area can be hired as a featured speaker for your group’s youth and families, as they navigate these relationships.
Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ teenagers and their families in your church youth group can take time, effort, and dedication. However, the reward of creating a safe and supportive community is immeasurable.
We are not coming at this as if they need us, but we need them. We need their lives and their voices also. This is how we follow our Baptism Covenant and “Respect the Dignity of Every Human Being. By implementing these five tips, you can help your church youth group become a place where all youth feel valued, seen, and heard.
Books for Further reading and research:
Welcoming and Affirming: A Guide to Supporting and Working with LGBTQ+ Christian Youth by Leigh Fink
Embracing the Journey: A Christian Parents' Blueprint to Loving Your LGBTQ Child by Greg McDonald
