Rights Now Foundation
SVENSKA

Jesus Loves LGBTQ – Conference for Pentecostal-Charismatic Christians

Sweden is generally LGBTQ inclusive, but discrimination exists within certain religious communities, especially among the Pentecostal–charismatic sectors of the free church. These groups often view LGBTQ people as “wrong,” leading to mental health issues and suicide attempts among young people who cannot change their sexual orientation. If they embrace their identity, they are often excluded from active participation and leadership roles.

The organization Jesus Loves LGBTQ carried out the project “Conference for Pentecostal–Charismatic Christians” aimed at actively changing the perspective within the free church regarding individuals who identify as homosexual, bisexual, transgender, or express queer identities, as well as intersex individuals. The project intended to create conditions so that these individuals could become full members and hold leadership positions – something that unfortunately is not the case today.

The project organized a conference on October 4–5, 2024, building on an initial conference held in the spring of 2023, both under the theme “Jesus Loves LGBTQ.” The conference featured the screening of the documentary film 1946 – The Mistranslation that Shifted a Culture, which examines a mistranslation in the Bible that introduced the term “homosexual” and contributed to prejudices against sexual minorities. Seminars and services were led by Ann-Christine Ruuth, Patrick Tiainen, and Niclas Öjebrandt. Approximately 150 people participated from all over Sweden, and attendees from Norway and Finland were also present. The conference also received media coverage, with features in the newspaper Dagen on August 14 and October 6.

Application Year 2024 – Theme: Health and rights – LGBTQI

Grant: 65 000 (SEK)