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Queer Youth of Faith Day

Embrace the empowering journey of LGBTQ+ young individuals finding strength within their faith community's accepting embrace.

Attitudes & Emotions Helping Others Life & Living Religion & Belief45

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Mobilize faith-based organizations and youth-serving nonprofits to amplify messages of acceptance and support for LGBTQ+ teens during June, driving awareness and volunteer/prayer sign-ups.

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Share stories of LGBTQ+ youth finding acceptance within faith communities
Highlight the 1 in 5 statistic and mental health support resources available
Encourage parents and educators to have open, affirming conversations with teens
Promote Beloved Arise's prayer campaign and crisis line volunteer opportunities

History

Queer Youth of Faith Day can trace its roots back to 2019 when it was started by a group called Beloved Arise. This non-profit group was the first national organization in the US to celebrate and empower youth with a faith who identify as queer.

Statistics show that one in five LGBTQ+ youth consider their faith to be important to them. Whether they connect with Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism or some other spiritual space, all youths deserve to know that they are loved and cared for!

The purpose of Queer Youth of Faith Day is to show acceptance of, support for and encouragement toward young people, particularly those who have felt like they are not accepted in their communities of faith. Beloved Arise partners with several organizations, including GLAAD, National LGBT Taskforce, NASDAQ, and more.

Together, these groups encourage people of faith to take this opportunity to express care for the youth of today as well as praying for them – for the safety, well-being and flourishing of these young people.

How to celebrate

Care for a Youth

One of the best ways to observe Queer Youth of Faith Day might be to commit to be a bit more careful and attentive when it comes to the teens in your life. Parents, teachers, youth workers, grandparents and other adults can get educated and have open conversations with teens. Building trusting relationships with youth can help them know that they are cared for, that they will be embraced and encouraged to be their authentic selves.

Sign Up at Beloved Arise

Each year on Queer Youth of Faith Day, the Beloved Arise organization offers opportunities for individuals to sign up on their website in an agreement to pray for the young people who identify as LGBTQ+. The organization hopes to have 1.8 million people sign up, a number that is significantly based on statistics of how many young people will consider suicide each year. Beloved Arise also hosts a gathering on this day on their Instagram page for people who want to participate.

Volunteer for a Crisis Line

People who want to be more actively involved in helping youth who are struggling may want to volunteer for a crisis hotline or teen text line. One of the desires for Queer Youth of Faith Day is that teens and young adults who need support can get it, and volunteering to help others is a great way to do that.

FAQ

How common is it for LGBTQ+ youth to also identify as religious or spiritual?

Research suggests it is more common than many people assume. A national survey by The Trevor Project found that about one in five LGBTQ+ youth say religion or spirituality is important or very important in their lives, and nearly one in four report praying, meditating, or reflecting on their faith at least weekly. This shows that a significant minority of LGBTQ+ youth are actively engaged with faith or spiritual practices.

How can family religious beliefs affect the mental health of queer youth?

Studies consistently show that family reactions, often shaped by religious beliefs, are a major factor in queer youths’ wellbeing. When religious families respond with acceptance and support for a child’s LGBTQ+ identity, youth report better mental health, higher self‑esteem, and lower suicide risk. In contrast, religiously motivated rejection, such as telling a child their identity is sinful or refusing to acknowledge it, is linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts or attempts.

Is religion always harmful to LGBTQ+ youth, or can it be protective?

Religion is not uniformly harmful for LGBTQ+ youth; its impact depends heavily on how it is practiced in their environment. Research finds that in affirming contexts, religiosity and spirituality can provide meaning, community, and coping skills that support mental health. However, in non‑affirming settings where youth experience religious rejection or anti‑LGBTQ+ messages, religious involvement is associated with greater internalized shame, conflict, and worse mental health outcomes. The quality of support in the faith community matters more than religiosity by itself.

What are some best practices faith communities can use to support queer youth?

Guides for congregations and youth ministries highlight several practical steps: use affirming and inclusive language, including correct names and pronouns; make explicit statements that LGBTQ+ people are welcome; ensure youth spaces are safe from bullying; protect privacy and explain confidentiality limits; and connect with mental health professionals when needed. Training leaders about sexual orientation and gender identity, and inviting feedback from LGBTQ+ youth themselves, are also recommended ways to build genuinely supportive faith environments.

Do queer youth of faith have different mental health risks than other LGBTQ+ youth?

Available data show that LGBTQ+ youth as a whole face elevated risks of depression, anxiety, and suicidality compared with straight and cisgender peers. For those who are also people of faith, the picture is more complex. One analysis found that LGBTQ+ youth who say religion or spirituality is important to them had slightly lower rates of recent depression, but similar rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts compared with those who did not value religion. Other work suggests that when religious involvement comes with rejection of LGBTQ+ identities, mental health risks increase, while affirming faith contexts may help buffer stress.

What myths about being both queer and religious are most common?

A common myth is that LGBTQ+ people cannot sincerely belong to a faith tradition or must abandon religion to live authentically. Another is that religious or spiritual LGBTQ+ youth are very rare. Research and reporting contradict both ideas: many queer youth describe faith as important, and some find deep resilience by integrating their spiritual and LGBTQ+ identities. Historical tensions between some religious institutions and LGBTQ+ communities have fueled these myths, but they do not reflect the lived reality of many queer people of faith.

How can parents and caregivers balance personal beliefs with supporting a queer child of faith?

Experts recommend starting from the child’s safety and dignity, even when parents are wrestling with their own theology. Concrete supportive behaviors include listening without trying to “fix” the child, expressing love verbally, avoiding attempts to change their orientation or gender identity, respecting their name and pronouns, and seeking information from reputable medical and mental health sources. Research on family acceptance shows that even small increases in accepting behaviors in religious families are associated with significantly better mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth.