1
Prejudice against Queer people ("Queer prejudice") has existed for centuries and comes in many forms, such as exclusion, unconscious bias, or outright persecution. It exists both outside and within the Bahá'í community to varying degrees. Prejudice of any kind can rear its ugly head in all spaces among any people - we can never let our guard down.
2
There are Queer Bahá'ís and always have been. These Bahá'ís are not a fringe, rebel, or disunifying group. You may know a Queer Bahá'í but not know that they are in fact queer. Some prominent Bahá'ís you have heard of are Queer.
3
The Faith is quite appealing to many Queer people, yet many hesitate to join the community or participate in activities. This is a sign that there is something Bahá'ís have to do differently if they wish to spread Bahá'u'lláh's teachings to this population.
4
Bahá'í teachings and laws on love, gender, sex, marriage, and sexuality, are not simplistic. Like most of Bahá'u'lláh's teachings, there are many layers to explore and many pearls of wisdom to uncover. Whatever a correct understanding of a particular topic looks like, the dismissal of differing views as illegitimate is contrary to the spirit of consultation, especially when it involves Bahá'ís consulting in Bahá'í spaces.
5
Queer Bahá'ís or their advocates/allies/supporters are not enemies of the Cause, nor are they all from the wider community. Too often, Bahá'ís addressing Queer topics are categorized as those who are attacking the Cause, hate Bahá'ís, or are unfaithful to Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant. Although there are those that fit this description among every population it is certain, there is no direct correlation or causation between being Queer and being an enemy of the Cause.
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NOTE: When Bahá'ís say "enemy of the Cause", we actually mean "someone who views the Cause as its enemy". Bahá'ís do not consider anyone their chosen enemy, but certain groups such as the government in the Islamic Republic of Iran clearly consider us their enemies due to the heavy persecution they level upon our people in that land. Thus Bahá'ís would generally say they are "enemies of the Cause".
6
The Bahá'í teachings and Plans of the Universal House of Justice have incredible potential for tackling Queer prejudice and for creating a world where Queer people are active protagonists in the building of vibrant, just, and united communities. Bahá'ís have a duty to not overlook Queer people in the activities of the Plans.
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NOTE: For more on the "Plans" see: universalhouseofjustice.bahai.org/activities-bahai-community, and for "what Bahá'ís do" see: www.bahai.org/action
7
Not every Local or National Spiritual Assembly supports, engages with, or handles issues regarding Queer Bahá'ís within its jurisdiction in the same way. There is really no formal universal detailed legislation regarding topics like gender identification, gender roles, same-sex marriage, illicit sexual acts, etc. In some communities, there exist same-sex Bahá'í couples, and in others Queer people have been prevented from enrolling administratively into the Bahá'í Community.
8
Bahá'ís come from very diverse backgrounds and have different views regarding various aspects of Queerness. They include those that are actively hostile, unwilling to support, indifferent, willingly ignorant, caring and willing but ignorant on how to support, supportive but not very good at it, and those at the forefront of learning how to be supportive, loving, and good advocates as Bahá'ís.
9
Bahá'í culture still has not fully developed a universal and uniquely Bahá'í view on love, gender, sex, marriage, and sexuality. On the one end, Bahá'ís bring with them inherited views on these topics from their culture or previous belief system, and on the other there are Bahá'ís on the forefront of learning on how Bahá'u'lláh's teachings can transform communities. It is yet to be seen how such a Bahá'í view will form at the level of culture.