Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) has taken a public stand in support of LGBTQIA+ people. This month, PYM shared a minute approved at Annual Sessions 2025 with monthly meetings, local and regional media, and Quaker and non-Quaker organizations around the world; the minute affirms inclusion and dignity.
The following was sent to PYM meeting clerks.
Dear Friends,
At its 2025 annual sessions, held at Cheyney University in July 2025, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) affirmed its support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) Friends and friends.
PYM takes this public stand in the face of continued attacks on the LGBTQIA+ members of our communities. Transgender people are having their human rights disrespected, their access to healthcare taken away, and their very identities questioned. Lesbian and gay people fear that their right to marry whom they love will be denied by law. PYM wants the world to know that we love and value all our community members.
The full text of the approved minute can be found at this link. It was approved for wide public distribution at Fall Continuing Sessions held at Arch Street Meeting House in Philadelphia in November 2025.
Local PYM meetings can take these steps:
- Share this minute with local news outlets, local government, PRIDE and LGBTQIA+ organizations.
- Add your meeting to GayChurch.org, an affirming church directory that helps people locate and visit welcoming, LGBTQIA+ inclusive Christian churches around the world.
- Add your meeting to ChurchClarity.org, a database that scores church websites on how easy it is to find a policies for LGBTQ+ people and women in stewardship.
In peace and friendship,
Nikki Mosgrove, Presiding Clerk
Chris Mohr, General Secretary
Friends can use this link to access both the letter and the minute above: www.pym.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PYM_CLM_lgbtqia.pdf
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting continues to be a place where seekers and Friends are welcomed through faith, fellowship, and action. Financial giving helps sustain this work by supporting gatherings, care, and communication across our meetings.
Through this giving and shared faith, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting remains a community active in peace and inclusion.
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