The Conservative Toolbox
10 Commandments for Interacting with the LGBTQ Movement
By Beau Lee, founder of The Straightest Flag Co.
“XY ♥ XX” is a classy, confident way to say “no” to the LGBTQ agenda while teaching the true and right path.
Ten principles for talking about the LGBTQ movement in a rational, truth-based way that shows both integrity and compassion, without compromise. The goal is to win the person, not the argument. Use them with friends and family, on podcasts and radio, and when teaching young people.
10 Commandments for Interacting with the LGBTQ Movement
Love others.
Every person is made in God's image and carries real dignity.
Male and female are on purpose.
God designed man and woman to fit together, like two obvious pieces of a puzzle.
The body signals purpose.
Every male and female body is built to produce the components of new life, sperm and egg. That design points to an amazing purpose.
“Born in the wrong body” is a cruel message.
Telling someone their soul was born in the wrong body leaves them with a problem no one can ever truly fix. That is not kindness.
You were made wonderfully.
Tell young people and adults they were made just the way God designed them, and they can learn to love who they are.
Care about the heart and mind.
Some people feel real discomfort, even deep pain, about their sexuality or gender. We should care enough to help them work through it.
God's ways are good.
The Bible calls homosexual behavior and changing one's gender sin. God's laws are for our good, to keep us from hurting ourselves, others and our relationship with Him.
Love the person, resist the movement.
We can accept a person's dignity while resisting a movement that draws more people into harm.
Be honest about the health risks.
In 2016 the CDC projected that, if diagnosis rates held, 1 in 6 gay and bisexual men in the U.S. would be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetime, and 1 in 2 Black gay and bisexual men. Encouraging young people toward that risk is not love.
Source: CDC at CROI 2016, via aidsmap
Teach God's wonderful plan.
Show young people the beauty of covenant marriage, family and faithfulness.
What the Bible says
King James VersionMale and female He created them
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.Genesis 1:27
Men and women are not interchangeable
The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.Deuteronomy 22:5
God's design for sexuality
Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.Leviticus 18:22
When we exchange God's design
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.Romans 1:26–27
The good news
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.1 Corinthians 6:11
Putting it to work
Lead with commandment 1, “Love others,” every time. The others land only when people trust your motives.
Ask before you answer.
“What do you think marriage is for?” opens more doors than a statement.
One point at a time.
Pick the commandment that fits the moment instead of reciting all ten.
Know your numbers.
Give the CDC figure with its year and condition (2016 projection, if rates held). Critics will check it.
Stay calm.
A steady, kind tone persuades more listeners than winning the exchange.
Lines worth remembering
“I'm not against anyone. I'm for the design that gave every one of us life: a mom and a dad.”
“You were made wonderfully, just as you are. That's the most hopeful thing I can tell a young person.”
“Love tells the truth, even when it's hard to hear.”
