Resilience isn’t just about individual strength—it’s about having a community that lifts each other up. For many LGBTQ+ individuals, found families become an essential source of strength, providing not only emotional support but also practical assistance in times of need. However, when it comes to faith and religion, the strength and resilience that can be found in these communities for some can be complicated by historic harms and religious traumas. Understanding this context and being mindful of how and when we include religious communities in our work is important to fostering healing while avoiding further trauma within the LGBTQ+ community.
Found Family and the Strength of Chosen Communities
For many LGBTQ+ individuals, rejection from biological families creates a profound need for alternative support systems. In response, found families—close-knit networks of friends, mentors, and allies—become essential for survival, emotional well-being, and long-term resilience. These chosen communities provide a sense of belonging and unconditional acceptance, filling the gaps left by unwelcoming environments.
Found families offer more than just emotional support; they serve as economic and social safety nets. Members often share resources such as housing, food, and financial assistance, ensuring that no one is left without support during times of crisis. These networks also provide crucial affirmation of identity, helping individuals build confidence and self-worth in a world that often seeks to diminish them.
Historically, found families have played an instrumental role in LGBTQ+ activism and mutual aid. During the AIDS crisis, when many individuals were abandoned by their biological families and ignored by mainstream institutions, chosen families cared for the sick, organized advocacy efforts, and built enduring community networks. Today, found families continue to be a foundation of resilience, offering everything from mentorship for LGBTQ+ youth to caregiving for aging community members.
At Lancaster County Chooses Love, we recognize the power of chosen communities in strengthening resilience. Through our support groups, community events, and mutual aid programs, we create opportunities for LGBTQ+ individuals to form and sustain these meaningful connections. By fostering a culture of care and solidarity, we ensure that no one has to navigate life’s challenges alone.
The Negative Impact of Religious Exclusion on Community Resilience
Faith communities have historically played a vital role in fostering resilience and providing social services, moral support, and advocacy. However, many LGBTQ+ individuals have experienced exclusion, rejection, or conditional acceptance in religious spaces, leading to deep wounds and disconnection. The long-standing message of “hate the sin, love the sinner” has reinforced shame and alienation, making it difficult for many to find belonging in faith-based settings.
The impact of faith-based rejection extends beyond the individual—it weakens the fabric of community resilience. When people are rejected by faith communities, they lose access to critical support networks, resources, and a sense of belonging. Not just because they lose a place to worship and find community but because so many community support services are provided by churches that do not welcome, respect, or serve LGBTQ+ people. Many experience homelessness, financial instability, and deep psychological harm as a result. Even those who remain within these spaces often face pressure to suppress their identity to maintain acceptance, creating an ongoing internal conflict that erodes personal and collective resilience.
At Lancaster County Chooses Love, we recognize both the harm that has been done and the importance of spiritual and communal support. We are committed to working with affirming congregations to create inclusive spaces where LGBTQ+ individuals can gather, heal, and thrive. These partnerships have included holding events and support groups in spaces offered by various congregations and, until we outgrew the space, hosting our food pantry at St. Paul Penryn.
We are also open to engaging with congregations that seek to become more welcoming and affirming. By working with faith communities that are actively growing in their inclusivity, we help ensure that more spaces in Lancaster County can provide LGBTQ+ individuals with the affirmation and support they deserve.
At the same time, we remain mindful of the religious trauma that many in our community have experienced. We carefully choose when and where to partner, ensuring that any collaboration aligns with our commitment to fostering safety, dignity, and true belonging.
Healing from faith-based rejection takes time, but through thoughtful partnerships and ongoing advocacy, we help rebuild trust and reintegrate LGBTQ+ individuals into a broader network of support. No one should have to choose between their identity and their faith—and through affirming collaboration, we work to ensure that spirituality can once again be a source of strength for those who seek it.
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