2022
Annual Report
We believe every young life deserves unconditional love.
One in five LGBTQ+ youth say their religion or spirituality is important to them.
However, most faith communities continue to uphold beliefs that do not make room for these young believers to belong and thrive.
Many queer youth in non-affirming churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and other places of worship face rejection and condemnation instead of the unconditional love every young life deserves.
Since 2020 Beloved Arise has been on a mission to celebrate and empower queer youth of faith. Partnering with other faith-based organizations, we help youth resist anti-LGBTQ+ theology and encourage them to nurture their faith and seek affirming communities where they can belong, believe, and be loved - just as they are.
To every young life who has been condemned or cast out, we say "You are beloved!"
We celebrate and empower queer youth of faith.
LGBTQ+ youth who experienced family rejection during adolescence are:
8.4x
more likely to report having attempted suicide.
5.9x
more likely to report high levels of depression.
3.4x
more likely to use illegal drugs.
LGBTQ+ youth who experience high acceptance from family and peers had up to 40% lower odds of suicide attempts.
“In times of trial and in the face of reaction, LGBTQ+ people of faith have held on to our beliefs and traditions - and at times have formed new ones. We belong in every faith tradition across the world.”
Human Rights Campaign
We are here to fight for the lives of queer youth of faith
We strive to encourage youth that queerness is holy and create spaces where they can be affirmed and loved boldly BECAUSE of their queerness - not in spite of it.
Over the past three years, we have succeeded in building relationships, growing our community, and offering theologically-backed resources to thousands of young people through both virtual and in-person groups.
Beloved Arise continues to expand our core programs, community groups, and resources for youth of all faith backgrounds to reflect our mission to empower queer youth of faith.
Impact
In 2022 we raised awareness for queer youth of faith through national media coverage generating more than 273M media impressions.
Jun 22, 2022 • GMA
‘GMA’ Inspiration List: Celebrating LGBTQ+ youth making change
Jun 24, 2022 • AP News
LGBTQ youth of faith retell their stories to inspire others
Sep 28, 2022 • Teen Vogue
GLAAD 20 Under 20: Meet the 2022 Class of Outstanding Young LGBTQ Changemakers
Jul 31, 2022 • The Salt Lake Tribune
‘Being Jewish in Utah ... not the greatest of experiences’ — How a queer youth embraced his faith and his sexuality
Jun 24, 2022 • The Gazette
Transgender Cedar Rapids teen named Queer Youth Ambassador
Dec 23, 2022 • The Washington Post
Transgender or devoutly Christian? An Iowa teen refuses to choose.
We launched our new Youth Ambassador Program!
Beloved Arise proudly presents our Youth Ambassadors 2022-24.
These inspiring young leaders give voice to LGBTQ+ youth and showing the world what bold faith and strong love look like.
LGBTQ+ & Jewish • Utah
LGBTQ+ & Christian • Oregon
LGBTQ+ & LDS • Texas
LGBTQ+ & Jewish • Florida
LGBTQ+ & Christian • Iowa
A message from a parent
“My name is Rachel and as a Chrisitan mother to a gay child, I support Beloved Arise because it’s very important that my daughter knows that she is affirmed and loved by God just as she is.”
[Play video to hear more]
Financials
| 2022 Revenue | ||
|---|---|---|
| Individual donations | $105,997.19 | |
| In-kind donations | $78,668.50 | |
| Miscellaneous (e.g sales from our online store, etc) | $1,161.38 | |
| 2022 Expenses | ||
|---|---|---|
| Youth programs & scholarships | $136,367.97 | |
| Administration (insurance, legal fee, bank fee, etc) | $12,435.00 | |
| Fundraising (event, cost of goods sold, donor mgmt tools, etc) | $5,987.18 | |
Thank you Community Sponsors 2022
Looking forward
Beloved Arise is on a mission to reach LGBTQ+ youth of faith and invite them into a loving community where they can build friendships, find hope and healing, and grow their faith—not abandon it.
Expanding Beloved Arise youth and campus groups
This year, we will continue to champion and uplift dozens of local Beloved Arise groups in places of worship and college campuses to give youth and young adults a community where they can be loved and find belonging while practicing their faith.
Mobilize allies to take action for LGBTQ+ youth
Using both virtual and in-person communities, we strive to include resources for allies of LGBTQ+ youth. We seek to provide education to mobilize allies to both act boldly and love boldly in their faith of origin.
Our community of creators, teachers, do-ers, and advocates is committed to uplifting and championing youth who have experienced rejection because of their queerness. We continually grow our network of allies who are ready and willing to stand up for the queer youth in their faith community. All are welcome - including YOU!
Focusing on the experiences of ALL queer youth of faith
We began our mission inside of Christian spaces, but in 2022, we expanded our focus to include youth from any faith tradition where LGBTQ+ inclusion falls short.
Beloved Arise remains committed to our multi-year strategy to become the resource hub for all queer youth of faith.
Ways to support
Will you stand with LGBTQ+ youth of faith?
Join our network of donors who are fervent queer folks and allies committed to protecting the lives of LGBTQ+ youth.
Do you have gifts to share with queer youth of faith and our community?