Baháʼí views on homosexuality

The Baháʼí Faith considers homosexual sexual intimacy to be against God's will as taught by founder Baháʼu'lláh,^[1][2][3] and views homosexuality as against nature and a sickness.^[4] The organization places emphasis on what it describes as traditional family values,^[5][6] and marriage between a man and a woman is the only form of sexual relationship permitted for Baháʼís.^[1][7][8][9] With an emphasis on chastity and sexual abstinence outside of a heterosexual marriage, Baháʼí teachings prohibit premarital, extramarital, or homosexual sexual intimacy.^[10][11][9]

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual members who engage in any same-sex sexual behavior are subject to the following sanctions from administration: being excluded from community gatherings (e.g. the Nineteen Day Feast), being denied participation in organizational elections, and being barred from holding elected leadership positions.^[12][13] As of 2021, no Baháʼí writings are found on transgender people beyond a 2002 statement which said gender-affirming surgery (i.e. sex changes) are medical questions.^[9] Baháʼí institutions have taken no position on the sexual practices of those who are not adherents,^[14] and Baháʼís have been discouraged from both promoting or opposing efforts to legalize same-sex marriage.^[15]

Teachings from top leaders

The scriptural basis for Baháʼí practices comes from the writings of Baháʼu'lláh (1817–1892), the faith's founder, who forbade fornication, adultery, and sodomy.^[16][17] The Baháʼí position towards homosexuality was elaborated on by Shoghi Effendi, Baháʼu'lláh's great grandson and head of the religion from 1921 to 1957.^[18] He described homosexuality as a distortion, problem, and a disability to overcome, while leaving Baháʼí membership open to anyone regardless of sexual orientation.^[19][16]

The faith's current positions leave queer Baháʼís with the option of attempting a mixed-orientation marriage with someone of the opposite sex or remaining celibate for life.^[2][16] The supreme governing institution of the Baháʼí Faith since 1963, the Universal House of Justice,^[20] has written that Baháʼís should not single out same-sex sexual activity over other transgressions, should not view gay people with disdain or prejudice, and should not attempt to impose their views on sexuality onto broader society.^[21][15][22]

Public perceptions

The exclusion of same-sex marriage among Baháʼís has garnered considerable criticism in the western world,^[12] where the Baháʼí teachings on sexuality "may appear to be unreasonable, dogmatic, and difficult to apply in Western society".^[23][24] Particularly in the United States, Baháʼís have attempted to reconcile their conservative teachings on sexuality with the otherwise socially progressive teachings of the Faith, but it continues to be a source of controversy.^[25][12] Former Baháʼí William Garlington said the Baháʼí position in America, "can at most be characterized as one of sympathetic disapproval" toward homosexuality,^[25] and professor Melissa Wilcox describes Baháʼí teachings as leaving "little room for tolerance of same-sex eroticism", but "not given to statements of its disapproval", and "not generally vocally anti-LGBT."^[6]

Further discussion

Baháʼí teachings stress the importance of absolute chastity for any unmarried person.^[10][11] The organization does not tolerate same-sex eroticism, but is not vocal about its views against LGBTQ people.^[26] In the faith's teachings homosexuality is described as a condition "against nature" and a challenge that an individual should control and overcome, and Baháʼís are left to apply the teachings at their own discretion, and are discouraged from singling out same-sex sexual activity over other transgressions, such as the consumption of alcohol, or heterosexual extramarital sex.^[27][21] Membership in the Baháʼí community is open to celibate lesbian and gay adherents.^[28][16]

The Baháʼí Faith has been described as a religion "ambiguous or contested on the issue of LGBTQ inclusion".^[6] The religion has a strong emphasis on traditional interpretations of teachings found in Abrahamic religions, which discourage pre- and extra-marital sex as well as same-sex romantic relationships and marriage. Baháʼí teachings state that Baháʼís should not treat homosexual people as condemned outcasts, nor expect people who are not Baháʼí to follow Baháʼí laws.^[21] The Baháʼí writings teach adherents to treat everyone with respect and dignity, and to eschew an attitude of discrimination and social intolerance toward lesbian, gay, and bisexual people.^[29][4] The opportunity for civil same-sex marriage was mentioned in a 2010 letter by the Universal House of Justice as being a public issue that is not in keeping with the Baháʼí teachings, but one that Baháʼís "would neither promote nor necessarily oppose."^[15]

See also

• LGBTQ portal

• Homosexuality and religion
• Baháʼí teachings