What should I be thinking about those in the LGBTQ+ movement?

The most straightforward answer is that God has created them in his image, so they deserve our love and respect. However, this is difficult to do because of how we might feel about what they believe and do. And because of how they respond to what we believe and do.

Often we must do a lot of soul-searching work before we can see the person behind the position they are defending.  But Jesus calls us to love our enemies (Matt. 5:44). God does not tell us to do something without providing the means to obey.

The gospel reminds us that we are all sinners in need of God’s grace. Our role is not to condemn others for their sin but to demonstrate to them what it means to live knowing we are forgiven.

That’s great in principle, but how does that happen practically? Some of the most helpful encouragement I’ve found is in Speaking of Homosexuality by Joe Dallas. He says:

“When we engage in dialogue with a gay friend or loved one, we usually have to deal with double the complications the Lord did (when talking to the Samaritan woman), because, being sinless, Jesus had no prejudices or misconceptions. But we have ours, as does the other person. We can know what Scripture says about homosexuality as a behavior, but little about homosexuals as people. (Speaking of Homosexuality pg. 29)

He also cautions us to be aware of our assumptions, and to be willing to learn that we are wrong.

“None of (our) assumptions holds true in every case, because there’s as much diversity in lifestyle and experience among homosexual people as among heterosexuals. There are politically conservative and moderate gays as surely as there are liberals; some are celibate, some are in monogamous relationships, some nonmonogamous; some are occasionally active sexually, some wildly promiscuous. Some are easy to spot; others, you’d never know.

“So to say homosexual acts are wrong in God’s sight is a far cry from saying all homosexuals are cut from the same cloth. You don’t have to cling to stereotypes in order to maintain the biblical view.” (Speaking of Homosexuality pg. 31)

So, we should be thinking about LGBTQ+ supporters as people created in the image of God who has struggles just like us. Their response to their particular struggles has aligned them with a cause that is in conflict with what we believe.

But, there is still a person who is worth getting to know. And any change in your relationship with them will happen on a personal level first.