Census: Christians less likely to be LGB+ than general population
The #ProudToBeCounted campaign encouraged LGBT+ people to answer the voluntary questions on sexual orientation and gender identity included on the census for the first time. The law required one census to be completed for each household. Those who were not able to be open with others where they were living could request their own access code which would override the answers given in their name at that address.
THE 2021 CENSUS was the first time residents aged 16 and over in England and Wales were asked voluntary questions on sexual orientation and gender identity.
A report from the BBC this week analysed data from the Office for National Statistics [ONS] which shows that while 3.2% of the general population identified as Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual or another minority sexual orientation (LGB+), only 1.7% of Christians identified as LGB+.
The ONS released separate data on gender identity and religions, which shows that while 0.5% of the general population said their gender identity is different from their sex registered at birth - i.e. trans or non-binary or another gender - 0.4% of them identified as Christian.
The census question on sexuality was not answered by 3.6 million people (7.5% of the population of England and Wales). Similarly, 2.9 million people (6% of the population of England and Wales) did not answer the question on gender identity. So the proportions of LGBT+ people within each religion could be higher or lower.
Kieran Bohan, Director of the Open Table Network of communities across England and Wales for LGBT+ Christians, said:
“the national census is often completed by one person on behalf of household, who may not know the sexual orientation or gender identity of everyone in their home. This is perhaps more likely to be true in a household where faith plays a significant role”
‘While the census data reveals some interesting trends, our experience suggests that some of these figures may be an underestimate. For example, the national census is often completed by one person on behalf of household, who may not know the sexual orientation or gender identity of everyone in their home. This is perhaps more likely to be true in a household where faith plays a significant role, so the number of people recorded as LGBT+ is likely to be an underestimate.’
Bar chart showing religions with the highest proportion of LGB+ people
In 2021 OTN Co-Chair Alex Clare-Young called for further reform to the census to enable more accurate recording, especially of gender indentity in future.
Other research has shown that:
Bar chart showing religions with the highest proportion of trans people
more than half [59%] of LGBT+ young people interested in joining a religious organisation have stopped or reduced their involvement owing to their sexuality or gender identity (Youth Chances, METRO 2016).
A third of lesbian, gay and bi people of faith (32 per cent) aren’t open with anyone in their faith community about their sexual orientation. One in four trans people of faith (25 per cent) aren’t open about who they are in their faith community. (LGBT in Britain - Home & Communities, Stonewall 2017).
Only a third of UK LGBT+ Christians ‘feel safe to be out’ in their local churches, and just one in five feel ‘safe to be out to the wider Christian community’ (Safeguarding LGBT+ Christians Survey, Ozanne Foundation 2021).
In contrast to the census data, the Open Table Network has grown from one community in Liverpool in 2015 to 37 communities across England and Wales hosted by churches in five different Christian traditions, supporting around 30,000 people each month in person and online in 2023. Our own research shows that:
90% of our community leaders said being LGBTQIA+ is a barrier to belonging in a faith community for some or many members
50% said being a member of a faith community is a barrier to belonging in the LGBTQIA+ community for some or many members.
On average, our members have told us they have experienced a 40% improvement in well-being after joining an Open Table community.
92% said being part of an Open Table community increased their sense of belonging
89% said being part of an Open Table community provided a safe space for them
87% feel less isolated and more socially connected than they did before joining an Open Table community.
