Spiritual armament is a threat to the LGBTQIA+ community

Every year, the Danish government allocates more than one billion kroner to organizations that openly, formally, and vocally discriminate against LGBT+ people. These organizations' homophobia stems from ancient texts that claim that an omnipotent, omniscient creator of the universe has a particular problem with homosexual behavior—specifically among the species Homo sapiens. Other species on this planet that exhibit the same sexual behavior do not seem to be a problem for these deities.

This has, unsurprisingly, serious consequences for many LGBT+ people who live or grow up in environments where such forms of religion are practiced. Politicians tend to focus on Islam, while often overlooking or excusing discrimination rooted in Christianity. It is worth noting that even within the Danish National Church, more than 200 priests refuse to marry same-sex couples.

With the government's ambition to strengthen what it calls “spiritual armament,” there is a documented risk that this development will worsen. Research such as the SEXUS study shows that homophobia is more prevalent among religious people than among non-believers.

Fundamentally, it is completely absurd that the Danish state financially supports discrimination against its own citizens. The fact that a parliamentary majority now wants to extend this support poses a serious threat to the LGBT+ community.

The solution is not to ban belief or thought. The solution is simple: secular equality. If all religions and belief systems are treated equally in practice, public funds will no longer be channeled into discriminatory practices.

Anders Stjernholm and MacKenzie Morgan from the Danish Atheist Association invite you to a lecture on religious homophobia, where all questions and comments are welcome.

Pride event / Disabled access / Alcohol served / Danish