2SLGBTQIA Chaplaincy Resources

About 2SLGBTQIA spirituality

2SLGBTQIA people are members of many different faith traditions, but sometimes their spirituality is distinct from their faith tradition, in that they tend to be highly focused on social justice issues, because they are often ostracised for their sexual orientation and gender identity.

• PRIDE Prayer - The United Church of Canada – A prayer for inclusion for Pride month.

• Prayers for Queer Folks: An LGBTQ Pride Prayer & Communion Liturgy

  These prayers were written for LGBTQ Pride worship at St. John’s Presbyterian Church in San Francisco, CA.

• Welcome the New Year with rainbow candles! Bridge of Light honours LGBTQ culture – Kittredge Cherry, QSpirit.Net

  
  

2SLGBTQIA resources for hospice chaplains

• LGBTQ+ End-of-Life Prayers: Honouring & Comforting - Buried In Work – LGBTQ+ end-of-life prayers and readings to honour the individual’s unique journey and provide comfort through inclusive spiritual practices.

• End of Life Care for LGBTQ People – Hospice cares compassionately for the “whole person”, individualizing a care plan that is reflective of a person’s goals, hopes, and support needs at end-of-life from a psychosocial, spiritual, and medical approach.

• LGBTQIA+ End of Life Guide – AIIHPC – Ember is an end-of-life guide that was developed and driven by a group of volunteers from the LGBTQIA+ community and allies.

  
  

Recommended books & resources

• Stephen Hunt, ed. (2009), Contemporary Christianity and LGBT Sexualities. Ashgate.

• Yvonne Aburrow (2009), Is it meaningful to speak of a queer spirituality? An examination of queer and LGBT imagery and themes in contemporary Paganism and Christianity. Masters dissertation, Bath Spa University, UK.

• Glossary of 2SLGBTQIA terms - inclusive Wicca

2SLGBTQIA spirituality groups

• Dharma Buddies - a meditation group serving primarily gay, bisexual, transgender, gender-nonconforming, and queer men. We are a diverse group with a wide range of backgrounds and experience with Buddhist and other spiritual teachings.

• Folx with Faith - Start a Healing Journey. A collection of inclusive spiritual affinity groups offering queer folx of faith connection and growth in welcoming communities.

• Find an Affirming Church - GayChurch.org. The intent of the Affirming Church Directory™ is to provide an online resource for people to locate and visit welcoming Christian churches around the world.

• inclusive Wicca - a resource for inclusive Wiccans, Druids, Pagans, and Heathens.

• LGBT+ spirituality and art - JesusInLove.org offers spiritual resources for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Christians, including books by Kittredge Cherry. Books and paintings present LGBT+ Christian themes.

• LGBTQ-affirming religious groups - Wikipedia

• List of Christian denominations affirming LGBTQ people - Wikipedia

• Queer Muslim Network (QMN) is a grassroots organization dedicated to community building and uplifting 2SLGBTQ+ Muslims and their allies. Based in Toronto, Montreal, & Ottawa.

• Queer Theology - Resources for LGBTQ Christians.

• Welcoming Churches - In This Together Network encourages churches to be public about their affirmation of LGBTQ+ members of their communities.

Background reading

• Spirituality’s Role in LGBTQ+ Mental Health: Faith and Identity

  While religious trauma is a harsh reality for many LGBTQ+ individuals, spirituality can also serve as a tool for healing and self-empowerment.

• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Queer identified People and Mental Health

  Although lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer identified (LGBTQ) people are as diverse as the general Canadian population in their experiences of mental health and well-being, they face higher risks for some mental health issues due to the effects of discrimination and the social determinants of health.

• 2SLGBTQ - Virtual Hospice – Proud, Prepared, and Protected is a collection of online resources to assist people who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ to access and receive inclusive, respectful care. These resources were developed by people who identify as Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ and more than 40 organizations and Canadian Virtual Hospice to fill a national gap.

• 2SLGBTQ+ Canadian Healthcare Bill of Rights – assists people who are Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ in receiving healthcare that is respectful, feels safe, and is free from discrimination.

• My Choices for Safe and Inclusive Healthcare – a place to record information related to your health and preferences for your care. It can help you to have conversations with healthcare providers; to plan for your future care; and to share information with others, including your emergency contacts.

• Planning for My Care – a series of resources to support 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive palliative care. These products were developed by people who identify as Two-Spirit & LGBTQ+ and the Canadian Virtual Hospice.

• 2SLGBTQ+ Knowledge Synthesis – Caregivers in the 2SLGBTQ+ communities face unique challenges and needs. 2SLGBTQ+ caregivers often come from families of choice and many give care in isolation, which increases the caregiver burden.

• 2SLGBTQ: Palliative Care Needs - Hospice Palliative Care Ontario (HPCO) –recommends education and training initiatives for healthcare workers and social workers involved in palliative care.

• LGBTQ End-Of-Life Guide - The Order of the Good Death – The Order is creating comprehensive LGBTQ+ end-of-life planning guides for every U.S. state. We want everyone to have a good death—one in which affirming care is both accessible and rooted in the understanding that a dignified death respects each person’s identity, wishes, and chosen family.