The Bahá'í Faith and homosexuality

2002 letter from a physician;
Current status of Bahá'í LGBTs.

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2002: A reflective letter from a doctor:

Sam G. McClellan, M.D., in consultation with the Institute on AIDS, Sexuality and Addictions, wrote an essay "Some reflections on the Bahá’í  Teachings as they relate to homosexuality." ₁ It was revised in 2002-JAN. In it, he clearly differentiates between three meanings of the term "homosexuality:"

Citing a letter written by an unidentified person on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, he states:

"There is nothing in the Bahá’í teachings to justify prejudice against any person because he or she happens to be dealing with issues of homosexuality – either in terms of orientation, behavior or identity."

McClellan writes:

He recommends reparative therapy as promoted by the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH). The best estimate that we have been able to derive is that reparative therapy has a success rate below 0.5%

Current status of homosexuality in the Baha'i Faith:

Persons with homosexual, bisexual or transsexual orientation are all welcomed as members of the Baha'i Faith. As stated by a draft FAQ approved for distribution by the US National Spiritual Assembly:

"To regard homosexuals with prejudice and disdain would be entirely against the spirit of Baha'i Teachings. The doors are open for all of humanity to enter the Cause of God, irrespective of their present circumstances; this invitation applies to homosexuals as well as to any others who are engaged in practices contrary to the Baha'i Teachings."

"Associated with this invitation is the expectation that all believers will make a sincere and persistent effort to eradicate those aspects of their conduct which are not in conformity with Divine Law." ₂

Any Baha'i member in good standing can be elected to any office within the Faith, regardless of their sexual orientation. However, gays and lesbians might be declared to be not in good standing if they flagrantly display their homosexuality. They are expected to make "sincere and persistent effort" to remain celibate. 

A fundamental belief of the Baha'i Faith is that true science and religion cannot be in conflict. Sexual orientation continues to be studied by human sexuality researchers. In the West, a social and scientific consensus is being developed that

We expect that the Baha'i Faith will experience increasing conflicts over homosexuality and bisexuality in the West. Some will be escalating internal dissension, driven by Baha'i gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. They generally believe that their sexual orientation is natural and God-given; they want their religious group to recognize this.

There will also be external pressure from those in North America who accept recent scientific findings. Potential converts will be less likely to join a religion that treats minority sexual orientations as disorders. On the other hand, discrimination against gays, lesbians and bisexuals may well increase the growth of the Faith elsewhere in the world in those countries that oppress homosexuals and bisexuals.

References used:

1. Wilma Ellis, "Bahá’ís and homophobia," 2004-MAR-15, at: http://www.studiedocumenten.googlepages.com/ This is a PDF file. 
2. A "Draft FAQ: The Baha'i Faith and Homosexuality" prepared by Roger Reini on 1996-JAN-13 is available at: http://bahai-library.org/compilations/homosexuality.comp.html

Copyright © 1996 to 2009 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2009-OCT-05
Author: B.A. Robinson

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