IAM - Inclusive and Affirming Ministries

Through the Diversity Awareness Programme IAM raises awareness in faith communities and amongst the general public on the dangers of religious fundamentalism and patriarchy and the resulting homophobia, discrimination and rejection of LGBTI people of faith. Southern Africa at large is still predominantly governed by religious prejudices towards LGBTI people, with the adverse effect that the majority of LGBTI people of faith suffer from self-condemnation and deny their own spirituality and sexuality. IAM is a catalyst in raising awareness of both sexual diversity and diverse theological interpretations within society and religious communities on homosexuality. IAM developed awareness resources that can be used by faith communities and LGBTI people to enable dialogue. Ultimately, the organisation’s aim with these resources is to assist LGBTI individuals to free themselves from their faith closets of internalisedself-condemnation, supporting their voices to be heard and affirmed within faith communities.