The Baháʼí Faith considers homosexual behavior to be against God's will.[1] The organization places emphasis on what it describes as traditional family values,[2][3] and marriage between a man and a woman is the only form of sexual relationship permitted for Baháʼís.[4] With an emphasis on chastity and sexual abstinence outside of a heterosexual marriage, Baháʼí practices exclude premarital, extramarital, or homosexual sexual intimacy.[5][6] Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) members who engage in any same-sex sexual behavior are subject to sanctions from the Baha’i administration, including being excluded from community gatherings and denied participation in organizational elections.[7] Baháʼí institutions have taken no position on the sexual practices of those who are not adherents,[8] and Baháʼís have been discouraged from both promoting or opposing efforts to legalize same-sex marriage.[9]
The scriptural basis for Baháʼí practices comes from the writings of Baháʼu'lláh (1817–1892), the faith's founder, who forbade fornication, adultery, and sodomy.[citation needed] The Baháʼí position towards homosexuality was elaborated on by Shoghi Effendi, Baháʼu'lláh's great grandson and appointed head of the religion from 1921 to 1957.[citation needed] He answered specific questions and described homosexuality as an affliction that should be overcome, while leaving Baháʼí membership open to anyone regardless of sexual orientation.[citation needed] This position leaves LGB Baháʼís with the option of attempting a mixed-orientation marriage with someone of the opposite sex or remaining celibate for life.[10]
The supreme governing institution of the Baháʼí Faith is the Universal House of Justice, first elected in 1963, which has written more extensively on the subject of homosexuality.[citation needed] For example, they have clarified that Baháʼís should not single out homosexual practice over other transgressions of Baháʼí conduct, should not treat those with a homosexual orientation with disdain or prejudice, and should not attempt to impose their standards on society.[11][9]
The exclusion of same-sex marriage among Baháʼís has garnered considerable criticism in the western world,[7] where the Baháʼí teachings on sexuality "may appear to be unreasonable, dogmatic, and difficult to apply in Western society".[12] Particularly in the United States, Baháʼís have attempted to reconcile their conservative teachings on sexuality with the otherwise socially progressive teachings of the Faith, but it continues to be a source of controversy.[13][7] Former Baháʼí William Garlington said the Baháʼí position in America, "can at most be characterized as one of sympathetic disapproval" toward homosexuality,[13] and professor Melissa Wilcox describes Baháʼí teachings as leaving "little room for tolerance of same-sex eroticism", "not given to statements of its disapproval", and "not generally vocally anti-LGBT."[3]
Baháʼí views on sexuality
Baháʼí teachings stress the importance of absolute chastity for any unmarried person,[5][6] and focus on personal restraint. The Baháʼí Faith, however, leaves the application of laws of social conduct largely up to the individual. The organization does not tolerate same-sex eroticism, but is not vocally anti-LGBT.[14]
While in the faith's authoritative teachings homosexuality is described as a condition "against nature" and a challenge that an individual should control and overcome, Baháʼís are left to apply the teachings at their own discretion, and are discouraged from singling out homosexual practice over other transgressions, such as the consumption of alcohol, or heterosexual extramarital sex.[15][11] Membership in the Baháʼí community is open to celibate lesbian and gay adherents.[16]
The Baháʼí Faith has been described as a religion "ambiguous or contested on the issue of LGBTQ inclusion".[3] The religion has a strong emphasis on traditional values found in Abrahamic religions, which discourage liberal sexuality. Baháʼí teachings state that Baháʼís should not treat homosexual people as condemned outcasts, nor expect people who are not Baháʼí to follow Baháʼí laws.[11] The Baháʼí writings teach adherents to treat everyone with respect and dignity, and to eschew an attitude of discrimination and social intolerance toward homosexuals.[17]
The opportunity for civil same-sex marriage was mentioned in a 2010 letter by the Universal House of Justice as being a public issue that is not in keeping with the Baháʼí teachings, but one that Baháʼís "would neither promote nor necessarily oppose."[9]
^Wilcox 2006, pp. 254–255: "Thus, while the principles of oneness in Baha’i—the oneness of God, humanity, and religion—encourage Baha’is to work for social justice and toward the equality of all people, an emphasis on traditional, opposite-sex marriage and procreation leave little room for tolerance of same-sex eroticism. On the other hand, Baha’i is not given to firm statements of its disapproval, so unlike some of the 'nonwelcoming organizations' it is not generally vocally anti-LGBT."
