Philadelphia Yearly Meeting,
Minute of Support for the LGBTQIA+ Community
 

Plymouth Monthly Meeting is one of the Monthly Meetings that make up Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. At our 345th Annual Sessions this summer the following minute was approved during sessions. It is reproduced below for all members and the wider to community to be familiar with. 

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 345th Annual Sessions July 23rd-27th, 2025

Minute of Support for the LGBTQIA+ Community

As Quakers, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting believes that there is that of God, the Light, Spirit, within every person. We receive the gifts of service and care from many of our members who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+)¹ and value all as beloved members of our community.

Currently the federal government is targeting LGBTQIA+ people, by writing legislation that denies gender affirming care and treatment, questioning trans and gender diverse individuals’ right to exist and be their true selves, pulling funding for mental health hotlines that serve LGBTQIA+ individuals, and threatening to rescind their rights to love and marry who they love. These actions have created dangerous levels of stress in LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly in the trans community.

The behavior of the current administration goes against all the testimonies Quakers hold dear - especially equality, peace, justice, and integrity. We find this to be intolerable. Several Monthly and Quarterly Meetings across the Yearly Meeting have sent us Minutes of Concern on this topic.

We unite in honoring all people’s right to love as they feel led and to inhabit the body that best expresses their true selves. We cherish the diversity that is brought to our community by the participation of these individuals.

We stand among and as allies with LGBTQIA+ people and cherish them. Our allyship demands that we continue to educate ourselves on the issues LGBTQIA+ people face, provide a safe space for LGBTQIA+ people and families to worship, and work to end discrimination based on sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

Some actions meetings or individuals could take:

• Use the resources on the PYM website to learn about the life experiences of some LGBTQIA+ individuals
• Inform FCNL that LGBTQIA+ rights is one of our legislative priorities
• Advocate for the full protection of civil rights for all
• Encourage individual meetings or Quarters to host LGBTQIA+ speakers to open adialogue and get to know them
• Open a dialogue with other churches on LGBTQIA+ issues

By embracing members of the LGBTQIA+ community, we are blessed by their strength and endurance which bring rich colors to the tapestry of our Quaker fellowship.

1. Glossary of LGBTQIA+ click here
2. PYM LGBTQIA+ resources Click here