The Pope and His LGBTQ Legacy

 Here is an article by a gay about the inroads the recently deceased Pope made for the LGBTQ confused crowd.

In the 12 years since Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected Pope Francis on March 13, 2013, we’ve witnessed a rapid expansion of LGBTQ rights around the world. The pope’s death Monday is a reminder of the surprising ways his papacy was part of that wave of acceptance. 

Francis set the tone early in his appointment, during an in-flight press conference aboard the jet nicknamed Shepherd One en route from Rio de Janeiro to Rome in July of 2013. When a reporter posed a question about gay priests, the newly appointed pope quipped: “If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?”

With that simple statement — “Who am I to judge?” — the pope laid the foundation for his compassionate approach and inclusion of the LGBTQ community.

Indeed, the late pope’s nonjudgemental approach to LGBTQ issues did not go far enough for many LGBTQ advocates. But it’s important to judge his legacy in the context of the Catholic Church, and to recognize how remarkable his approach was given the institutional norms that for decades suppressed and ignored LGBTQ devotees.

The size of the LGBTQ population in the United States has grown from 3.5% in 2012 to 9.3% in 2024, according to Gallup. A spokesperson from the polling firm told me that 5.6% of Christians in the United States today identify as LGBTQ. More and more LGBTQ Christians continue to come out and find a home in the body of Christ. I believe Pope Francis had some impact on those changes.

For many LGBTQ Christians like myself, the changes Francis championed feel personal. I’ve experienced both the sting of exclusion and the quiet hope that, perhaps one day, church pews will be filled with all those who long to find God’s love, regardless of whom they love. I’ve witnessed Catholic LGBTQ friends endure so much harm from the church hierarchy. Francis’ change of posture toward the community let light shine in the darkness. 

I’ve seen the hope Pope Francis has given to LGBTQ Catholics in particular. One of my best friends from college come out as a lesbian and yet maintain her Catholic faith in the midst of much hate. There’s been so much positive change toward LGBTQ equality since we started college together in 2008; I was even able to officiate her wedding in 2022. While worshipping with her on multiple occasions for Catholic mass, I’ve given thanks to God for the many LGBTQ Catholics who have stayed committed to their faith.   

The Vatican did back up the merciful media soundbites reverberating around the world with some substantive policy changes, including allowing transgender people to be baptized and serve as godparents, and allowing priests to offer blessings of same-sex couples. These changes did not amount to full equality, but they were meaningful progress toward recognizing the God-given dignity of LGBTQ people. The pope also elevated a number of LGBTQ-friendly leaders to positions of greater authority in the U.S. Catholic hierarchy. 

“Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God,” Francis said in a 2020 documentary. “You can’t kick someone out of a family, nor make their life miserable for this. What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered.”

Here;  Pope Francis death leaves a legacy of compassion for LGBTQ Christians

The perverts and their "don't judge lest ye be judged!", misquote never gets a break!

Of course we ARE TO JUDGE those who claim to be part of our church.  We do it all the time!  "Um, you can't teach Sunday School for pre-schoolers because we did a background check on you and you were arrested for child porn!"

Hey, you say you want to join our church but you just introduced us to your two "wives" and proudly announce you are part of a THROUPLE?  Ummm...no, you can't be members here.

Hey, you say you want to join our church but you actively enjoy group sodomy on the GAY 90's bar when you "go out to celebrate gay pride"....ummm, no, you can't be members here.  We ARE judging you.  And your life is filled with the fruit of perversion, pride and a lack of regard for the authority of scripture.  Maybe go try the Catholic or Methodist church??  They'll take anyone and anything.  Just tell them that you're a pretty good person.