Updated March 5, 2025
During Fall Continuing Sessions, Friends were provided with a minute from Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting standing in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ people. This minute, adapted from one shared by Germantown Monthly Meeting, connects to the ongoing threats to the safety and well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community and reaffirms the shared commitment to stand beside them.
Minute of Solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ Community
Below are a few provided resources that Friends may choose utilize, learn, and share when connecting with the LGBTQIA+ community members and Friends. The following resources were compiled by Karen Lightner of Germantown Monthly Meeting, There is hope that this list will continue to grow, if you have additional resources to share, we invite you to send them to communications@pym.org.
Short Trans 101 Videos Series:
Trans 101 is a video series designed to help support trans people around you, the videos below were originally made in 2017 and 2018! A goal of Trans 101 is to help people better understand what it means to be trans, and how to make the world and better, safer, happier place for trans and gender diverse people!
QuakerSpeak Videos on the topic of Quakers & LGBTQIA+ experience:
QuakerSpeak is a bi-weekly video project by Friends Journal. The videos below are all about 5 minutes each and presents the story from LGBTQIA+ individuals Quaker experience.
- Creating Visible Support For LGBTQ+ Folks Kerry Wiessmann
- My Journey as a Transgender Quaker Chloe Schwenke
- How Jesus Affirms My Queerness Kody Hersh
- Coming Out as Gay in Kenya Justimore Musombi
Friends Journal Article:
We Think He Might Be a Boy by Su Penn is a story on Friends Journal about a family recognizing their transgender son as he discovers and asserts his identity from a young age. It is a story on identity and how unconditional support helps a child’s ability to live authentically.
- We Think He Might Be a Boy Su Penn
Friends General Conference:
Two resources from FGC Words by Friends: Exploring Gender in the Bible through Humor examines gender diversity in the Bible through affirming narratives and the video Let Love be the First Motion presents three Friends who share how love guides their diverse lives and work.
- Exploring Gender in the Bible through Humor with Peterson Toscano
- Let Love be the First Motion Su Penn at the 2014 FGC Gathering
Websites and Toolkits Supportive of Trans Folks:
- Supporting our Trans and Nonbinary Loved Ones from PFLAG
- This video and resource from 2023, provides details on the greater need to have educated and engaged allies working toward equality. The video reviews what advocates need to know to collaborate for their trans and nonbinary loved one.
- LGBTQ+ Etiquette and Common Bloopers from The Savvy Ally: A Guide for Becoming a Skilled LGBTQ+ Advocate
- This handout from 2023 offers information on best practice LGBTQIA+ language tips, outdated terms, and tips for
respectful communication.
- This handout from 2023 offers information on best practice LGBTQIA+ language tips, outdated terms, and tips for
- Advocates for Trans Equality
- Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE) was founded in 2024 as the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) and Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF), two long-time champions for the trans community. A4TE provides vital tools, knowledge, and services to provide support to trans people.
- Rose Montoya’s Trans Resource Website
- This site was created celebrate the beauty of persons of all gender identities and to educate and spread awareness about experiences and the issues.
Additional resources provided By Melinda Wenner Bradley (West Chester Monthly Meeting) and Kristin Simmons (Old Haverford Monthly Meeting)
Youth Programs Advisory Committee from 2022
- Celebrating & Nurturing Support for Queer Youth
- The Youth Programs Advisory Committee approved a minute in 2022 of support for the LGBTQ+ youth, staff, families, and volunteers in our Youth Programs, which was accepted in June by the Quaker Life Council.
Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns
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- Is a North American Quaker faith community that affirms that of God in all people.
Family Acceptance Project
- LGBTQ YOUTH & FAMILY RESOURCES
- Research from the Family Acceptance Project® shows that families play a critical role in contributing to serious health risks & promoting well-being for LGBTQ young people.
Building Faith: a ministry of Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary.
- 5 Ways to Support LGBTQ+ Youth in Your Church
- Best practices for the well-being of LGBTQ+ youth; they also provide insight into what environments enable depression, suicidal ideation, and self-harm.
- Gender Inclusive Children’s Ministry: Where To Start
- Expands 6 ways people can be more inclusive when worshiping with Children.
Child Mind Institute: A leading independent nonprofit in children’s mental health.
- How to Support LGBTQ+ Children
- Some guidance on when kids are coming out, and do they need from parents.
Supporting Queer Youth PDF: A PDF the provides definitions and information on supporting queer youth.
Books
- They, She, He Easy as ABC by Maya Gonzalez
- It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn
- Being You: A First Conversation About Gender by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli
- Together: A First Conversation About Love (First Conversations) by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli
- This Day in June by Gayle Pitman
- A Church for All by Gayle Pitman
- Intersectional Allies by Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Council, and Carolyn Choi
- What You Don’t Know: A Story of Liberated Childhood by Anastasia Higginbotham
- Holy Trouble Makers and Unconventional Saints by Daneen Akers
We invite Friends to share more resources be sending them to communications@pym.org.
