RICE 2025 Respondents' Form

  • Rainbow Index of Churches in Europe 2025

    Respondents' Form
    • Institutional equality and non-discrimination 

    • Legal documents (I.e. church order, canon law, code of canons, church constitution)

    • 1. The legal documents mention LGBTI identities in a non-negative way.
    • 1a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 2. The legal documents state the importance of diversity in representational leadership.
    • 2a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • Theology
    • 3. The church’s theology implies the unconditionally acknowledged equality of all people for God regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.
    • 3a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 4. The Bible is not used as a normative instrument for defining gender roles, and is not interpreted as a condemnation of LGBTI people nor of LGBTI lived desires, sexualities, and identities.
    • 4a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 5. The Tradition is not interpreted as a condemnation of LGBTI people nor of LGBTI lived desires, sexualities, and identities.
    • 5a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • Church policy
    • 6. The church policy mentions LGBTI identities in a non-negative way.
    • 6a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 7. The church provides and/or acknowledges a protocol/guided process to local congregations on how to become more inclusive and affirming.
    • 7a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 8. The church's ministries to children and young people are LGBTI-affirming.
    • 8a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 9. The church allows local parishes/congregations/regional associations to have discussion and agency on LGBTI issues and to establish their own policy of affirming the rights of LGBTI people.
    • 9a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 10. The church officiates 'same-sex marriages' and/or holds a public blessing ceremony for same-sex couples.
    • 10a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 11. The church recognises secular same-sex marriages and/or civil unions.
    • 11a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 12. The church baptises children of parents of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
    • 12a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 13. The church unconditionally accepts LGBTI people as members, not refusing them baptism if that is the condition for membership.
    • 13a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 14. Transgender persons receive a special blessing when they present their new name and/or identity in church.
    • 14a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 15. The church doesn’t make any restriction to participating in the Eucharist/Communion based on gender and/or sexual identity.
    • 15a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • Ordination of clergy
    • 16. Cis-hetero women and openly LGBTI people are admitted in seminary (institute for ministerial education and formation).
    • 16a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 17. The church ordains people regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
    • 17a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 18. The church provides affirmative theological educational material for clergy formation on gender equality and LGBTI issues.
    • 18a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • Church practices 
    • Leadership
    • 19. Cis-hetero women and openly LGBTI people perform leading functions in the church on a national level.
    • 19a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 20. Cis-hetero women and openly LGBTI people are actively involved in the church’s policy making on equality and non-discrimination.
    • 20a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • Work
    • 21. The church employs openly LGBTI people for tasks performed by non-ordained workers on the church premises and in church owned offices.
    • 21a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 22. The church employs openly LGBTI people in any place where the church offers services to society.
    • 22a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • Sexuality and kinship
    • 23. The church supports the adoption and raising of children by LGBTI people.
    • 23a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 24. Celibacy is not a requirement specific to LGBTI people, both among clergy and lay people.
    • 24a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • Advocacy and networks
    • 25. The church promotes social acceptance of the LGBTI-community in its public rituals.
    • 25a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 26. The church provides social ministry (‘diaconia’ or ’caritas’) to LGBTI people.
    • 26a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 27. The church established an official LGBTI-affirmative pastoral ministry for members of the church.
    • 27a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 28. The church supports an LGBTI association of clergy/ministers/students of theology.
    • 28a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 29. The church does not support any (private or church-related) organisation that promotes the heteronormative ‘traditional’ family as the cornerstone of church and society, with an implied negative inclination towards openly LGBTI people.
    • 29a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 30. The church publicly supports advocacy groups/organisations for LGBTI people.
    • 30a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • Language, speech and symbols 
    • Official communication
    • 31. The language used by church leaders is inclusive and affirmative towards LGBTI people.
    • 31a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 32. The church’s communication on a national level in general (website, bulletins, social media, newsletters, etc.) constitutes an affirmative environment for LGBTI people.
    • 32a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?

    • Church spaces

    • 33. The church allows LGBTI-related symbols to be used in church spaces or on church buildings.
    • 33a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?

    • Worship

    • 34. Gender issues and sexuality are thematised in public worship at the national level of the church.
    • 34a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 35. The liturgical language in prayer or worship books is sensitive to gender issues and sexual orientation.
    • 35a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • Education
    • 36. The educational and formational material offered by the church to its members in any of its educational or catechetical activities present an affirmative inclination towards LGBTI experiences and issues.
    • 36a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 37. The church raises awareness on the interconnectedness of issues concerning justice and inclusivity in general.
    • 37a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 38. The church takes into account the scientific research on gender and sexuality, and engages with it in a constructive and open dialogue.
    • 38a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • Acknowledgment
    • 39. The church acknowledges its involvement in (past and present) discrimination of LGBTI people.
    • 39a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 40. In connection with LGBTI experiences and issues, the church publicly apologized and asked for forgiveness from everyone who was affected negatively by the church’s past non-inclusivity.
    • 40a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • Public policy 
    • 41. The church made public statements concerning the right to safety of LGBTI people.
    • 41a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 42. The church made public statements concerning the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion of LGBTI people.
    • 42a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 43. The church made public statements concerning the right of political organisation and expression of LGBTI people.
    • 43a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 44. The church made public statements concerning gender-related rights of LGBTI people.
    • 44a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 45. The church made public statements concerning reproductive rights of LGBTI people.
    • 45a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 46. The church made public statements concerning kinship-related rights of LGBTI people.
    • 46a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 47. The church made public statements concerning labour rights of LGBTI people.
    • 47a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 48. The church made public statements concerning health rights of LGBTI people.
    • 48a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 49. The church made public statements concerning diversity education in public schools, directed at building tolerance and affirmation of the rights of LGBTI people.
    • 49a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 50. The church made public statements concerning the rights of LGBTI people to access other public services.
    • 50a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • Ecumenical and international cooperation 
    • 51. The church actively promotes LGBTI inclusion in ecumenical and/or international settings.
    • 51a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
    • 52. The church joins efforts with other local churches in promoting LGBTI inclusion.
    • 52a. Does this correspond to the lived experience of LGBTI people in your community?
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    • In case of questions, please contact Rachael Stockdale, rachael.stockdale@lgbtchristians.eu. 

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