I have been acquainted with the work of Seventh-day Adventist Kinship for over 25 years. The work they do to support members of the LGBTIQ community who are coming out, especially those coming from a religious background is above and beyond what might be expected from an organization of its size. They have also provided support to students on numerous campuses. Over the years their work has included more and more allies who believe in the work they are doing to provide a caring ministry both online and in multiple opportunities to meet in person.
Growing up Adventist and discovering I was gay created a lot of mental conflict. I loved and trusted my Adventist community, but my personal feelings didn't line up with the church's teaching on LGBTQIA+ issues. SDA Kinship was a lifesaver in helping me navigate what sexual orientation really means and what the Bible texts are (or are not) referring to. I recommend SDA Kinship for anyone who is dealing with sexual orientation or gender diversity questions, as well as families and allies of LGBTQ to join and become a stronger voice in our Seventh-day Adventist church.
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Seventh-day Adventist Kinship has been a lifesaver for me and for so many LGBTQ Adventists around the world. Unfortunately, the Adventist church doesn't understand the concept of sexual orientation or gender diversity and the top level administrators condemn the LGBTQIA+ community often creating mental unwellness in a large segment of the Adventist membership. SDA Kinship creates a safe space for queer Adventists to be themselves with no judgement. It is good to have a community where you are truly welcome and affirmed just as you are.
Hi, I am a 41 year old single Seventh Day Adventist. From the age of 10 and on I grew up in the SDA teaching. I few yo never hearing about homosexuals or the LGBTQ community. Though at the young age of 6 or 7, I knew I was different in the accept of being biracial and that I liked boys in a way that I didn’t like girls. But I didn’t know what or who I was until after graduating from Academy that friends of mine would throw around the word “gay” and what that was. I knew of the word but in the context of “being merry, or happy.” Over the years I struggled very much with who I was and what that meant as being a Christian, if I could even identify as such. I struggled in ways of drinking and drugs and hanging with a different crowd that didn’t judge or care who I was. It was until my late 30s that I accepted who I am as a gay man and try to reconcile with God, with Christ. I still struggle at times, with wanting to find someone to share my life with and still know that I am saved. For now I live a celibate life and just do my best. If an organization like SDA Kinship was more known of, or more available I think maybe people like me or similar maybe could have a better life and understanding. I only wish there was a group or church in the PA ( Philadelphia) area that I could attend. But for now I am grateful for kinship and what it does for us, and for bringing converts to Christ with love and not converts to churchianity.
I married a man, even after having been in a lesbian relationship for six years. She had been raised Catholic, and I was raised in the SDA church, so we had convinced ourselves that we were simply two women who happened to fall in love with each other. After she married a man, I figured that was what I was also expected to do. After all, the church taught that God would put "the heterosexuality of Jesus on you" if you obeyed and married the opposite gender.
Loneliness set in after I left a job I loved and all my friends and family, to move across the country because of my husband's job. Once we bought a VCR, I rented a movie called "Personal Best" and admitted to myself that I've always been a lesbian. During my coming out process, I saw an ad in the back of MS. Magazine for "Adventist Lesbians" and thought at first that it was a trick by the General Conference to catch sinners like me. But I needed to know if there really were more people who had grown up Adventist and then realized they were lesbians, so I rented a post office box and made up a pseudonym.
SDA Kinship turned out to be an actual support group of and for SDA & former SDA gays, & lesbians, as well as their friends and family. With all the support I received, I found the courage to get a divorce, after which the SDA church threatened to bring up the issue in a full membership meeting after church, unless I would willingly request my name be dropped. That felt like having my identity yanked right out from under me, leaving me gasping for breath.
The longer I've been on the outside looking in, the less likely it is that I will ever choose to re-join the SDA church. But the longer I've been a member of SDA Kinship, the more I feel like I have a family of choice.
I found Kinship because of a friend of mine from high school who was gay. I knew he had suffered because our denomination couldn't fathom, at least then, loving the LGBTIQ community. They still don't, for the most part.
I went to the annual Kinship Kampmeeting that year and always wanted to go back because I felt so accepted and supported by those I met there. I saw many old friends there. I made new ones too.
It was quite a few years before I could return, but joined in local activities as much as I could.
I shared my wonderful experience with others as well. Not everyone was supportive, but everyone at Kinship was. I go yearly now.
I even served two years on the Board of Directors as the Friend and Family coordinator. I helped new friends and family members with getting acquainted with our organization. I offered reading materials and other support as needed.
I am an Ally in this organization and felt some ofriends the same rejection from the church because of wanting to be a female in ministry,and was rejected. So I feel a kindred spirit with them.
I enjoy contributing to the group projects. I feel safe and loved there.
I recommend anyone join us.
I am a proud member, participant, and supporter of Kinship International because I have witnessed the redeeming value of their work. This organization provides opportunities for meaningful interactions among its members. For those of us wanting to make a difference in the community, Kinship International offers opportunities for outreach projects and to practice solidarity among its members. I believe my life has been enriched by my affiliation with Kinship International and its members from around the world. As its name indicates, this is an international organization. Its members are diverse in many ways; age, gender, ethnicities, occupation, nationalities, interests, education, sexual orientation, etc. This diversity ensues dynamism and greater levels of engagement from its members. Furthermore, Kinship International merits include the fact that it is operated by volunteer board members committed to serving the community. I personally know five of its current board members, including two college students who are already engaged giving back to the community and taking positions of great responsibility.
These people (aside from being around the world) are an oasis in an otherwise desert of confusion shame guilt and ignorance. the number of lives saved from suicides/ attempted suicides will never be known.
Most of benefit; they exemplify that religious affiliation and sexual orientation aren't mutually exclusive.
Kinship has made an important impact in the Adventist community and has helped many people create support networks and build friendships. My hope is that more people get to know about this organization and benefit, as well as contribute to the cause, creating a safe space to grow spiritually and live out our lives authentically and honestly.
The people in Kinship just seem to care so much about anyone who is hurting. They were there for me when I most needed them. Their love and dedication is simply amazing.
This organization is a beacon of light to the community that holds no sympathy, compassion, or understanding of those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. The services that this charity offers has given hope to someone like me and to thousands around the world.
SDA Kinship is part of me extended family. When I was literally kicked out of Gate Way Adventist Centre with others who believed in Equal Love and Equality for all. Kinship was there with full support and practical love. Kinship friends empowered me to care for the GLTBI people who were marginalized, stigmatized and disembraced by the SDA Church.
It is through SDA Kinship that Iam working part time at a suicide prevention centre which specializes in preventing self harm and suicide to young GLTBI People. Kinship provides the practical resources through its virtual community Face Book pages where we as a Kinship Family communicate and discuss issues.
Kinship also provides social networks were we meet face to face every Friday in Melbourne and embrace those who were persecuted by the Christian Churches because of their sexual orientation, we have movie nights, book reading club and a health and fitness.
Many young SDA people are participating and finding meaning and acceptance. Kinship members in Melbourne Australia are vitally involved in community service such as volunteering to do breakfast for 80 homeless people four days per week, conducting English Language classes for refugees. That is what I like about Kinship it’s inclusive and while our service is toward the GLBTI community we do help with the community at large.
Keith Paulusse
Kinship member Melbourne Australia
I found/joined SDA Kinship a few years ago when I was hurting from the treatment I recieved from the church when someone 'outed' me. I was getting more and more depressed and was looking for love and support as well as someway to connect who I was with my spirituality. I found that with SDA Kinship. After attending our first Kampmeeting, my wife told another member it was nice to have her wife back. And I am still 'back'. Thank you to Kinship members.
I heard about Kinship when I was in college but didn't connect to it until 1995. I've been involved with Kinship since then because from the first moment I attended my first Kampmeeting I knew I was "home". Kinship gave me the place where I could be myself and reconcile my sexuality and my spirituality...something very difficult to do coming from a fundamentalist religious background. I continue to offer my time and financial assistance to this organization because I believe in the mission of Kinship. Because it had such a profound impact on me, I want to make sure the love and support I found in Kinship continues to be available to others. Seventh-day Adventist Kinship is a wonderful organization for everyone...former or current SDA members...all are welcome. I feel blessed to be a part of this organization and to have formed awesome friendships that I'm sure I'll have for the rest of my life.
I first joined in 2001, I was at an Adventist campus and feeling like the only gay man there. Once, I joined, I had a network of others like me. I attended my first Kampmeeting soon after and forged many long time friendships. I am continually grateful for the work Kinship does and decided to give back by serving on its Board of Directors. I cannot thank Kinship enough for being a major part of my life.
I joined SDAKinship International in 1981, through an ad in Ms magazine. I am so grateful someone too the time and finance to place that spot. I respnded to the invitation to connect with this organization and a volunter was kind enough to take the time to come to my home in very rural Massachusetts. My first meeting with the local group was full of warmth, support and infomation that was part of a journey that changed my life for the better. The people I met there have been part of my heart and my life for more than thrity years. Since that time this group allowed me to use gifts and talents in ways that my church gradually closed off to me. Kinship enouraged me to grow from a membership to leadership role. IN my times of celebration and of deep grieg, this organization has wrapped around me. To say that this is a daily and growing part of my life is an understatement. This is a gift, a healing, a hope and a call to do more to change the prejudices of my world and to grow more whole as an individual.
I have been a member of SDA Kinship since 1993 when I joined during my coming out process. Kinship provided the support system I needed to live authentically as a gay person and yet remain of person of faith. The local regional group provided social, emotional, and spiritual support, especially in a super-conservative state like Texas where I lived at the time. Throughout the years, I have observed Kinship's support of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and intersex individuals, providing advocacy and affirmation in ways that they were not able to find anywhere else.
When I sought out SDA Kinship I was questioning my sexuality. I needed information and social interaction with people who were LGBT and Seventh-day Adventist. Kinship provided this important role. I attended a regional meeting which was low key and fun. We discussed everything under the moon including being ostracized by the greater SDA community and specific outings that turned out to be terrible breaches of trust. I had offered by home for members who were from out of town. One member was scheduled to stay at my house but had a car break-down and couldn’t make it. We kept in touch via email and fell in love before we even met. We have been together for over 9 years and are legally married now.
SDA Kinship provides me an outlet to discuss issues and stay connected with others with my religious background. I am most active on Facebook where the community is diverse and discussions are as well. I like being able to speak about personal, political, theological and a variety of other issues. The community includes pastors, educators, musicians, academics, therapists, scientists, retail workers, managers, retired people, parents, and so much more.
Kinship is a lifesaver to many of us and provides a much needed service to Seventh-day Adventists who believe that committed relationships that fit our sexuality are not only a blessing but consistent with Biblical values.
Seventh-day Adventist Kinship International became an important part of my life starting in the mid-1990's. The annual Kampmeeting that year featured a theologian who helped me to accept my orientation after nearly thirty years of trying to change who I am. Since that time, I have been actively involved at the Regional, National and International levels of the organization in helping to bring a face for LGBTIQ Seventh-day Adventists to the Church. This has provided me with opportunities I would not have enjoyed apart from Kinship. I have new friends in my own area, I have new friends and colleagues across American and around the world who have also become involved in providing support. These friends are both LGBTIQ and straight allies who are giving tirelessly to support the work of Kinship. Kinship has also supported efforts to develop a book, "Christianity and Homosexuality: Some Seventh-day Adventist Perspectives" and a documentary, "Seventh-Gay Adventists" These are valuable resources for changing hearts and minds. I am currently serving on an interim basis on the Board until someone can be found for the position.
SDA Kinship is a great organization that helps anyone who as ever been associated with the SDA church that is LGBTI and their allies. They have been a great resource and many have become good friends. I recommend them to anyone who is interested in making like minded friends or need support in their own struggles with their orientation as an LGBTI SDA.
SDA Kinship is a blessing not just to glbti Adventists who are feeling rejected and lost, but also to their family members. Many years ago, soon after I learned my son is gay, I received unconditional love and support and HUGS from the members of Kinship that brought solace, healing, and understanding to my soul. Because of Kinship, I have gradually come to embrace a role of advocacy and support to other families.
What a life! I am Seventh-day Adventist and in a mixed-orientation marriage - two things that are puzzling to most people until they learn more. How much more complicated is life for my gay SDA husband! Kinship has provided us with much information, resources, and comfort, and we are very grateful for this organization. Of course we recommend it to others!
I am very thankful for this community and website that freely allows and accepts those struggling with their sexual orientation within the SDA church. It is a "safe haven" for LGBT members (some out and other nots) of the SDA church. If it wasn't for this wonderful organization, i would still be questioning my self-worth. Feel welcome without judgment.