Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
AND HOMOSEXUALITY
Overview:
The Baha'i Faith teaches beliefs about homosexuality that are quite similar to
those of many conservative religions. They teach that:
The only acceptable form of sexual expression is between a one man and one woman
after marriage. Homosexual feelings and behavior are improper, and in opposition
to God's plan for humanity. Homosexuality as a disability for the individual to
overcome. Through prayer, medical treatment, counseling, and much personal effort,
they believe that a homosexual can become "straight."Unless gays or lesbians can
convert their sexual orientation to bisexuality or heterosexuality, and enter a
marriage with a person of the opposite gender, they are expected to remain
celibate.The Baha'i faith has traditionally valued and accepted the findings of
science. Their beliefs about to sexual orientation appear to be an exception to
this policy. The major medical and mental health professional associations have
issued statements declaring sexual orientation to be normal, natural, and
unchangeable (or essentially so) in adults.
Gay/Baha'i Website:
The Gay Bahai webmaster is not a member of the Baha'i Faith, but is in a
relationship with a member. He describes his site as: "The only Gay Baha'i web
site. Here Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and Transgendered Baha'is can chat and know
that they are not alone." See: http://www.gaybahai.homestead.com/�
References used:
1. "Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1968-1973", P. 110-11) (Volume 1,
pages 57-58)
2. Universal House of Justice, "The Baha'i Teachings on Homosexuality", Letter to
the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, 1995-SEP-11.
Reprinted in "The American Baha'i," Qawl 152, 1995-NOV-23, P. 11. Available at:
http://bahai-library.org/uhj/homosexuality.uhj.html
3. An index of materials on the Baha'i view of homosexuality can be accessed at:
http://bahai.miningco.com/library/sub/soc/msubhomo.htm (this link appears to be
dead)
4. 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
5. Another essay on homosexuality within the Baha'i Faith was posted to newsgroup
"Soc.Religion.Bahai" by Mesbah Javid. See: http://www.bcca.org/srb/archive/951021-
951231/0011.html
6. Letter containing recommendations to the National Spiritual Assembly of the
Baha'is of the United States from a gay-positive group is at: http://bahai-
library.org/letters/gays.html
7. The statement by the National Spiritual Assembly of the UK is available at:
http://bahai-library.org/nsa/homosexuality.uk.html
8. "A review of some Baha'i literature on homosexuality," at: http://bahai-
library.org/unpubl.articles/homosexuality.html
9. A discussion conducted on the listserv Talisman One, available at:
http://bahai-library.org/essays/aqdas.107.html
10. A memorandum sent to the Universal House of Justice on 1993-JUL-5 contains a
selection of extracts from various Baha'i sources on homosexuality. See:�
http://bahai-library.org/uhj/homosexuality.discussion.html
11. The Baha'i International Health Agency formally recognized and sponsored the
establishment of the Institute on AIDS, Sexuality and Addictions, to explore
Baha'i principles and concepts related to these three topics. Their web site is
at: http://www.globweb.com/bnasaa/�
12. Roger Reini, "Draft FAQ: The Bha'i Faith and homosexuality, A Compilation of
Selections from the Baha'i Writings," 1996-JAN-13, at: http://bahai-
library.org/unpubl.compilations/homosexuality.comp.html
13. Qilma Ellis, "Eliminating prejudices," undated, at:
http://www.bnasaa.org/</a></li>%20%20<li>Sam%20G.%20McClellan,%20"<i>Some
%20reflections%20on%20the%20Bah��%20�Teachings%20as%20they%20relate%20to
%20homosexuality</i>,"%20Revised%20%20%202002-JAN,%20at:%20<a%20href=
Copyright � 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, & 2004 by Ontario Consultants on
Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2004-AUG-17
Author: B.A. Robinson