Q Christian Fellowship

Q Christian Fellowship is an ecumenical Christian ministry and community organization serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and straight ally Christians. It began in 2001 as the Gay Christian Network, an online support community founded by Justin Lee after his own experience of trying to reconcile Christian faith and same-sex attraction. The organization initially focused on providing a moderated place where gay Christians could discuss faith, sexuality, relationships, family, and church life without being pressured either toward a conversion-therapy model or toward a single theological position. Over time, the ministry developed beyond its original website. Its activities have included online discussion and support forums, regional small groups, age-based communities, resources for parents and pastors, devotionals, and an annual conference. The Q Christian Fellowship Conference became the organization’s principal public gathering and is described by the ministry as the largest annual LGBTQ+ Christian conference. It brings together participants from varied denominational and theological backgrounds for plenary sessions, workshops, worship, peer support, concerts, and conversations about the intersection of Christianity and LGBTQ+ life. Conference programming has addressed biblical interpretation, family relationships, transgender inclusion, race and intersectionality, youth support, celibacy, relationships, prayer, church resources, and responses to homophobia. GCN formally adopted five missional directions in 2008: encouraging spiritual growth, cultivating safe community, supporting families and friends, educating and encouraging churches, and engaging the wider LGBTQ+ community and the world. These priorities helped frame the organization as both a pastoral support network and an educational ministry. Its community has included Christians from Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Quaker, United Church of Christ, Seventh-day Adventist, nondenominational, and other traditions. Q Christian Fellowship has generally made room for different positions on same-sex relationships. Within its community, Side A has commonly referred to Christians who believe same-sex relationships can be morally acceptable, particularly in committed relationships, while Side B has referred to Christians who believe same-sex sexual activity is not permitted but who do not necessarily endorse changing sexual orientation. The organization’s stated approach has been to provide a respectful environment for both perspectives and for people who are still discerning their beliefs. This distinguishes it from ministries that promote sexual-orientation change efforts. Its broad statement of faith remains recognizably Christian, affirming one God, the divinity of Jesus Christ, salvation by grace through faith, biblical authority, and holy living, while leaving many disputed questions open to members’ denominational and personal convictions. A leadership separation between Justin Lee and the organization was announced in 2017. In January 2018, the ministry adopted the name Q Christian Fellowship. The rebrand was intended to reflect the diversity of the people served; the organization has stated that the letter Q is deliberately open to interpretation rather than standing for a specific word. The renamed organization continued its conference, online community, affinity groups, and educational work. In 2019, Q Christian Fellowship launched the Unchanged Movement after renewed public promotion of ex-gay ideas by other Christian groups. The initiative presented an affirmative response to the harm the organization associated with conversion-therapy rhetoric, while offering LGBTQ+ Christian stories and educational resources. QCF has also publicly opposed conversion therapy and criticized events and messages presenting sexual-orientation or gender-identity change as a religious obligation. The o…

Q Christian Fellowship traces its origins to 2001, when Justin Lee created the Gay Christian Network as an online community for gay Christians. Lee had personally experienced the difficulty of reconciling Christian faith with same-sex attraction and sought to build a place where others could discuss those questions without the isolation often associated with church and family conflict. The early network emphasized peer conversation, mutual support, and access to Christian perspectives on sexuality. As participation grew, the organization broadened its activities. In 2008 it articulated five missional directions: spiritual growth, safe community, family and friend support, education and encouragement for churches, and engagement with the broader LGBTQ+ community and the world. These objectives supported a hybrid model combining online networking with ministry resources, small groups, conference gatherings, and education for parents, pastors, and congregations. The organization became known for allowing disagreement over sexual ethics within a shared Christian community. Its Side A and Side B terminology described two major approaches among members, while also recognizing that some participants did not fit either category or were still forming their views. The network’s community standards and ministry approach sought to distinguish theological disagreement from hostility, coercion, or conversion-therapy advocacy. Its statement of faith remained broadly ecumenical and orthodox, while the organization avoided requiring one denomination or one detailed position on LGBTQ+ relationships. The ministry received wider attention through Justin Lee’s public appearances and media interviews. In 2006, Lee appeared on the Dr. Phil program in a debate involving gay-to-straight claims and argued against conversion therapy. The organization and its website were also discussed in national media coverage of gay Christians seeking inclusion in evangelical and other Christian settings. Its resources were mentioned in advice-column and feature-article contexts, helping establish the network as a recognizable source of support for LGBTQ+ Christians. A significant organizational transition occurred in 2017. QCF-related reporting stated that Lee and the board had agreed to separate because of irreconcilable differences concerning the organization’s direction and future. The separation was characterized as amicable and as a practical business decision, but the parties did not publicly disclose further reasons. Lee’s executive-director service ended in May 2017, and the announcement of the separation followed in July. In January 2018, the organization adopted the name Q Christian Fellowship. The new name was intended to reflect the range of LGBTQ+ identities and allies represented in the ministry. The organization explained that the letter Q was not an abbreviation for a particular word, leaving it open to interpretation. The rebrand accompanied continued expansion of conferences, affinity groups, online forums, regional communities, and resource development. The Q Christian Fellowship Conference became the ministry’s largest recurring public program. It has featured worship, keynote speakers, concerts, workshops, and peer gatherings addressing biblical interpretation, parents and families, pastoral ministry, race and intersectionality, transgender inclusion, youth, relationships, celibacy, prayer, and responses to homophobia. The organization has described the event as the world’s largest annual LGBTQ+ Christian conference, with attendance reported at more than 1,300 in some years. Pandemic conditions affected the 2021 and 2022 editions: the 2021 event moved online, while the 2022 program was presented with both in-person and virtual participation. In 2019, Bukola Landis-Aina, a former board member and co-executive director, became executive director. That year QCF also launched the Unchanged Movement in response to renewed ex-gay and conversion-oriented messaging promoted in Christian settings. The initiative sought to provide an affirmative alternative through education, testimony, criticism of conversion therapy, and resources about the damage caused by claims that LGBTQ+ people must become heterosexual or cisgender to be accepted by God. QCF additionally issued an open letter asking Orlando officials to condemn the planned Freedom March, which was associated with former-homosexual and transgender-change narratives. Today, Q Christian Fellowship functions as a U.S. nonprofit ministry with a substantial online component. It supports LGBTQ+ Christians and allies across denominational lines, provides educational and pastoral materials, facilitates community and small groups, and organizes an annual conference. Its central identity is based on belonging, spiritual growth, relational support, and advocacy against coercive approaches to sexual orientation and gender identity.

1. 2022Hybrid conference held in Washington, D.C.

   The annual conference returned as a combined in-person and virtual event after pandemic-related changes.

   Source
2. 2019Unchanged Movement launched

   QCF created an initiative opposing conversion-therapy and ex-gay messaging and offering affirmative LGBTQ+ Christian resources.

   Source
3. 2018Rebrand to Q Christian Fellowship

   The organization adopted its current name to reflect the diversity of the community it serves.

   Source
4. 2017Leadership separation announced

   Justin Lee and the GCN board announced that they were going separate ways after differences about organizational direction.

   Source
5. 2008Five missional directions adopted

   GCN formalized priorities involving spiritual growth, safe community, family support, church education, and wider LGBTQ+ engagement.

   Source
6. 2006Founder appears on Dr. Phil

   Justin Lee represented an anti-conversion-therapy position in a televised gay-to-straight debate.

   Source
7. 2001Gay Christian Network founded

   Justin Lee founded the online community that became Q Christian Fellowship to support gay Christians exploring faith, sexuality, and church life.

   Source

An inclusive, ecumenical Christian support and community network that makes space for diverse LGBTQ+ Christian theologies while opposing conversion-therapy approaches and cultivating belonging.

• Online communitySocial networking and peer support2001

  The organization’s online community provides moderated spaces for LGBTQ+ Christians, allies, families, and people exploring theological and personal questions. Discussion areas have addressed relationships, celibacy, church experiences, family conversations, identity, and spiritual growth. The community is designed to accommodate varied Christian traditions and both Side A and Side B perspectives.

• Q Christian Fellowship ConferenceConference and events

  The annual conference is the ministry’s principal gathering. It combines keynote talks, worship, workshops, affinity groups, peer support, and concerts. Topics have included biblical interpretation, parents and pastors, transgender Christians, racial intersectionality, LGBTQ+ youth, couples’ communication, Side B celibacy, prayer, and responses to homophobia.

• Unchanged MovementAdvocacy and educational initiative2019

  Launched in 2019, the Unchanged Movement presents an affirmative response to ex-gay and conversion-therapy claims. It uses educational materials, LGBTQ+ Christian testimony, and public advocacy to challenge the idea that sexual orientation or gender identity must be changed for a person to be accepted by God.

• Family and church resourcesEducational and pastoral resources

  QCF produces or distributes materials for parents, families, pastors, churches, and other supporters. The resources address communication, theological reflection, pastoral care, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and practical support for people navigating conflict or uncertainty in religious communities.

• 2019Unchanged Movement

  United States · Online

  QCF launched the Unchanged Movement as an affirmative counter to conversion-therapy and ex-gay theologies, using resources and personal stories to support LGBTQ+ Christians and educate churches.

  Outcome. The initiative became part of QCF’s public advocacy and educational work against coercive sexual-orientation and gender-identity change efforts.

  Source
• 2019Open letter concerning the Freedom March

  Orlando, United States

  QCF asked Orlando’s city government to condemn a planned Freedom March event associated with former-homosexual and transgender-change claims.

  Source

• 2020Move the 2021 conference onlineStrategy

  The COVID-19 pandemic created health and logistics concerns for the planned Albuquerque gathering.

  What changed. QCF announced that the event would be held virtually rather than as an ordinary in-person conference.

  Aftermath. The organization later used a hybrid model for the 2022 conference.

  Source
• 2018Adopt the Q Christian Fellowship nameStrategy

  The ministry sought a name that better represented the diversity of LGBTQ+ people and allies in its community.

  What changed. GCN adopted Q Christian Fellowship, explaining that the letter Q was intentionally open to interpretation.

  Aftermath. The organization retained its online community, conferences, small groups, and resource programs under the new identity.

  Source
• 2017Separate from founder Justin LeeOther

  The board and Justin Lee differed over the organization’s direction and future, according to the public announcement.

  What changed. The parties agreed to an amicable separation, ending Lee’s executive-director role in May 2017.

  Aftermath. The organization continued under board administration and subsequently rebranded as Q Christian Fellowship.

  Source

• 2022QCF combines in-person and virtual attendance for its 2022 conference

  After pandemic-related changes, the conference was held in Washington, D.C., with both face-to-face participation and online attendance through WHOVA.

  Other
  Source
• 2020QCF shifts its 2021 conference to a virtual format

  COVID-19-related concerns led the organization to move the planned Albuquerque conference online.

  Other
  Source
• 2019Q Christian Fellowship launches the Unchanged Movement

  QCF introduced the Unchanged Movement as an affirmative response to conversion-therapy and ex-gay messaging, publishing resources and amplifying LGBTQ+ Christian experiences.

  CampaignRegulation
  Source
• 2019Q Christian Fellowship calls on Orlando to condemn the Freedom March

  The organization sent an open letter to Orlando officials concerning a planned gathering associated with former-homosexual and transgender-change claims.

  CampaignOther
  Source
• 2018Gay Christian Network becomes Q Christian Fellowship

  The ministry adopted Q Christian Fellowship as its new name to better represent the diversity of its community and mission.

  Other
  Source
• 2017Justin Lee and GCN announce leadership separation

  GCN and founder Justin Lee announced an amicable separation following differences about the organization’s future direction. Lee’s executive-director role ended in May, and the announcement was made publicly in July.

  Leadership change
  Source
• 2008GCN adopts five missional directions

  The organization formalized priorities covering spiritual growth, safe community, family support, church education, and engagement with the wider LGBTQ+ community.

  Other
  Source
• 2001Gay Christian Network founded as an online support community

  Justin Lee established the organization to support gay Christians navigating faith, sexuality, family, and church life.

  Other
  Source

1. Q Christian Fellowship
2. Q Christian Fellowship official website