--- title: Relationships and identity date: 2021-04-07T11:33:00+01:00 author: Tim Coysh canonical_url: "https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/advocacy/sexuality-and-identity" section: Pages --- We are personal beings who exist in and are intended for relationship with God and each other. How we choose to identify ourselves and who we interact with touches on many of the most significant cultural and social issues of our time. The Evangelical Alliance believes that our identity is first and foremost rooted in the person of Jesus Christ. All human beings are lovingly designed and created by God, in His image, and this is the basis for how we tackle all other identity issues such as race, sexuality and gender. All humans were created equal, with equal worth and dignity, regardless of race, sex or background. But our society often privileges some people at the expense of others. Therefore, we are passionate about advocating for the marginalised, and speaking up against racism and sexism wherever it’s found in our society. We not only seek to be a voice for change but to equip and empower our members to speak out against these issues too. Whilst we hold to a traditional biblically orthodox understanding that life-long marriages between one man and one woman are the only relationships capable of honouring the sacred nature of sexual activity, our earnest prayer is that God’s love, truth and grace would characterise evangelical responses to debates on sexuality, both now and in future. The bodily nature of the death and resurrection of Jesus affirms the importance of the human body, and the creation narrative speaks of two distinct biological sexes. Cross-gender identification is a concern because it distorts the creational order of male and female. But as Christians, we can hold out love and hope as one day, all who trust in Jesus will have perfect resurrection bodies and enjoy complete contentment in the new creation. The Evangelical Alliance engages with government to ensure that Christians in the UK, along with the majority of the world’s faiths, are free to hold to the traditional view of sexuality and gender. And we will work with government to ensure that no one’s employment is at risk as a result of holding to those beliefs and that children of faith are protected and represented in education. We also work to uphold the truth that all humans are created with equal value and worth, and advocate for groups that are marginalised. *“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,* *the new creation* *has come:* *the old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17* [ ![Conversion therapy vote could criminalise church teaching and discipleship](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Parliament silhouette](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/abdullah-ali-Fd-ioQay1vM-unsplash.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/conversion-therapy-vote-could-criminalise-church-teaching-and-discipleship) [#### Conversion therapy vote could criminalise church teaching and discipleship ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/conversion-therapy-vote-could-criminalise-church-teaching-and-discipleship) Danny Webster, director of advocacy at the Evangelical Alliance, urges prayer for parliament ahead of votes which could criminalise ordinary, everyday activity of churches [ ![Danny Webster](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/danny-webster) [ Danny Webster ](/author/danny-webster) 28 February 2024 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/conversion-therapy-vote-could-criminalise-church-teaching-and-discipleship) [ ![What’s happening with the government’s conversion therapy plans?](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Praying Clasped Hands](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/Praying-Clasped-Hands.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/whats-happening-with-the-governments-conversion-therapy-plans) [#### What’s happening with the government’s conversion therapy plans? ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/whats-happening-with-the-governments-conversion-therapy-plans) Confusion and uncertainty about whether government plans to introduce new laws are being pushed forward or into the long grass. [ ![Danny Webster](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/danny-webster) [ Danny Webster ](/author/danny-webster) 25 October 2023 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/whats-happening-with-the-governments-conversion-therapy-plans) [ ![‘What is a woman?’ – the question that continues to divide parliamentarians and the public](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![I Stock 1341631835](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/iStock-1341631835.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/what-is-a-woman-the-question-that-continues-to-divide-parliamentarians-and-the-public) [#### ‘What is a woman?’ – the question that continues to divide parliamentarians and the public ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/what-is-a-woman-the-question-that-continues-to-divide-parliamentarians-and-the-public) Following a recent debate among MPs relating to biological sex and gender, how can evangelicals engage more effectively on this issue? [ ![Alicia Edmund](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/alicia-edmund) [ Alicia Edmund ](/author/alicia-edmund) 13 June 2023 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/what-is-a-woman-the-question-that-continues-to-divide-parliamentarians-and-the-public) [ ![What the government must consider in its upcoming conversion therapy bill](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![People praying](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/s-h-gue-X1M6mR3gzq8-unsplash.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/what-the-government-must-consider-in-its-upcoming-conversion-therapy-bill) [#### What the government must consider in its upcoming conversion therapy bill ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/what-the-government-must-consider-in-its-upcoming-conversion-therapy-bill) The UK government will shortly publish their plans to address conversion practices but there are significant risks to individual freedom and everyday church practices [ ![Danny Webster](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/danny-webster) [ Danny Webster ](/author/danny-webster) 25 January 2023 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/what-the-government-must-consider-in-its-upcoming-conversion-therapy-bill) [ ![Misogyny in the spotlight: how can Christians respond?](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Pexels ekrulila 2848021](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/pexels-ekrulila-2848021.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/misogyny-in-the-spotlight-how-can-christians-respond) [#### Misogyny in the spotlight: how can Christians respond? ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/misogyny-in-the-spotlight-how-can-christians-respond) Claims about Angela Rayner highlight the sexualisation and devaluation of women in media – let's look to Jesus' example and recalibrate our vision of women [ ![Nicola Martin](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/nicola-martin) [ Nicola Martin ](/author/nicola-martin) 28 April 2022 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/misogyny-in-the-spotlight-how-can-christians-respond) [ ![VAWG series: Here's what you need to know about the Domestic Abuse Plan](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Courageous Advocacy image in Idea Apr - Mar 2022](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/iStock-1152037726.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/vawg-series-tackling-domestic-abuse-is-everyones-business-says-the-home-secretary) [#### VAWG series: Here's what you need to know about the Domestic Abuse Plan ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/vawg-series-tackling-domestic-abuse-is-everyones-business-says-the-home-secretary) Part six: The government published its Domestic Abuse Plan. Can it succeed where other plans have fallen short? [ ![Alicia Edmund](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/alicia-edmund) [ Alicia Edmund ](/author/alicia-edmund) 06 April 2022 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/vawg-series-tackling-domestic-abuse-is-everyones-business-says-the-home-secretary) [ ![Confusion over government conversion therapy plans](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Friends Study](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/Friends-Study.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/confusion-over-government-conversion-therapy-plans) [#### Confusion over government conversion therapy plans ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/confusion-over-government-conversion-therapy-plans) After leaks and U-turns, what is happening with government plans to address conversion therapy? [ ![Danny Webster](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/danny-webster) [ Danny Webster ](/author/danny-webster) 01 April 2022 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/confusion-over-government-conversion-therapy-plans) [ ![VAWG series: Will the church be change-makers?](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Pexels ricardo esquivel 1654698](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/pexels-ricardo-esquivel-1654698.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/vawg-series-will-the-church-be-change-makers) [#### VAWG series: Will the church be change-makers? ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/vawg-series-will-the-church-be-change-makers) Part five: How can the church help create safe spaces for all who experience abuse, including women who have no recourse to public funds? [ ![Nicola Martin](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/nicola-martin) [ Nicola Martin ](/author/nicola-martin) 29 March 2022 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/vawg-series-will-the-church-be-change-makers) [ ![VAWG series: How can men be allies?](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![People chain](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/andrew-moca-yAGNjU4rtss-unsplash.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/vawg-series-how-can-men-be-allies) [#### VAWG series: How can men be allies? ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/vawg-series-how-can-men-be-allies) Part four: conversation with student Caleb French on his experiences with Restored's First Man Standing campaign, being an ally to women, and seeking cultural change [ ![Jo Evans](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/jo-evans) [ Jo Evans ](/author/jo-evans) 23 March 2022 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/vawg-series-how-can-men-be-allies) [ ![VAWG series: Radical relationships](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Coffee with friends](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/sixteen-miles-out-f6UNiOH7uBo-unsplash.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/radical-relationships) [#### VAWG series: Radical relationships ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/radical-relationships) Part three: As disciples of Jesus, are our relationships with others, family, platonic and professional, modelled on Christ’s humility and meekness? [ ![Esther Sweetman](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/esther-sweetman) [ Esther Sweetman ](/author/esther-sweetman) 16 March 2022 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/radical-relationships) [ ![VAWG series: Christians have a role to play](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Open bible](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/sixteen-miles-out-9GZCJHxqKnw-unsplash.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/vawg-christians-have-a-role-to-play) [#### VAWG series: Christians have a role to play ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/vawg-christians-have-a-role-to-play) Part two: biblical guiding principles to inform how we live out our faith in the public square as we speak out on violence against women and girls [ ![Jo Evans](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/jo-evans) [ Jo Evans ](/author/jo-evans) 08 March 2022 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/vawg-christians-have-a-role-to-play) [ ![Scotland moves closer to tackling commercial sexual exploitation](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Sasha freemind frq5 Q6 Ne9k4 unsplash](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/sasha-freemind-frq5Q6Ne9k4-unsplash.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/how-scotland-is-moving-closer-to-tackling-commercial-sexual-exploitation) [#### Scotland moves closer to tackling commercial sexual exploitation ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/how-scotland-is-moving-closer-to-tackling-commercial-sexual-exploitation) Let's support MSPs seeking to make online pimping illegal, and other crucial changes [ ![Chris Ringland](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/chris-ringland) [ Chris Ringland ](/author/chris-ringland) 04 March 2022 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/how-scotland-is-moving-closer-to-tackling-commercial-sexual-exploitation) 1 [2](https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/advocacy/sexuality-and-identity/page/2 "Go to page 2") [ ](https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/advocacy/sexuality-and-identity/page/2 "Next page")