The UK picture at a glance
British churches sit at every point on the spectrum, and the differences run through denominations as well as between them. Some churches marry same-sex couples; some bless civil marriages but do not conduct them; some welcome LGBTQ worshippers warmly while holding a traditional teaching on marriage; and a minority remain cold. Because the label on the door only tells you so much, the networks below and a careful look at each church's own website matter more than denomination alone.
Denominations that conduct same-sex marriages
- Quakers in Britain. Quaker meetings have celebrated same-sex marriages since the law changed in 2014, having campaigned for the change beforehand.
- The United Reformed Church. Since 2016, local URC congregations may register to conduct same-sex weddings; each congregation decides for itself.
- The Methodist Church in Britain. The Methodist Conference of 2021 voted to allow same-sex marriages in Methodist churches, again with local consent.
- The Scottish Episcopal Church. Approved same-sex marriage in 2017.
- The Church of Scotland. Since 2022, ministers may apply to conduct same-sex marriages, though none is compelled to.
- Metropolitan Community Church (MCC). A denomination founded within the LGBTQ community, with congregations in several UK cities.
The Church of England and the Church in Wales
The Church of England does not currently marry same-sex couples. Following the Prayers of Love and Faith decision of 2023, clergy may offer prayers of blessing for same-sex couples in regular services, though use of the prayers is at the discretion of each priest and the wider debate continues within the church. In practice, individual parishes vary enormously: some advertise themselves as inclusive and use the prayers gladly, while others hold a traditional position. The Church in Wales has authorised a service of blessing for same-sex partnerships since 2021, with similar local variation.
Networks that help you find a welcoming church
- Inclusive Church. A UK network of congregations, many of them Anglican, that publicly commit to welcoming people regardless of sexuality, gender identity, disability or background. Its online directory of member churches is one of the most useful starting points in Britain.
- OneBodyOneFaith. A long-established membership organisation of LGBTQ Christians and allies, offering community, resources and signposting to affirming congregations.
- Open Table Network. A growing family of Christian worship communities for LGBTQ people and allies, usually hosted monthly within a welcoming local church, with communities across England and Wales.
- Affirm and Diverse Church. Networks supporting LGBTQ Christians within evangelical and charismatic settings, where finding open communities can otherwise be harder.
Reading a church before you visit
- Look for concrete signals on the website: membership of Inclusive Church, an Open Table community, photographs and stories that include same-sex couples, or a plainly worded welcome statement.
- Treat the word “welcoming” on its own with gentle caution. Many churches mean it sincerely while still holding a traditional view of marriage; if full affirmation matters to you, look for explicit language about it.
- Check whether the church conducts or blesses same-sex marriages. That single fact usually clarifies where a congregation stands.
- Email the minister and ask directly. Most reply honestly and kindly, and the tone of the reply is itself informative.
- Visit before you commit. A congregation's warmth on an ordinary Sunday tells you more than any policy page; our guide to visiting a church for the first time may help.
If you have been hurt by church before
Many LGBTQ Christians carry real wounds from past congregations, and walking back through any church door takes courage. Go at your own pace. Affirming communities such as Open Table exist precisely for this, offering small, unhurried gatherings where nobody has to explain themselves. Chaplaincies at universities and hospitals can also be safe first contacts, and organisations like OneBodyOneFaith offer peer support from people who have walked the same road.
Find a church near you
Use our church finderto see congregations in your area, then cross-reference with the Inclusive Church directory and each church's own site. Quaker meetings, URC and Methodist churches and MCC congregations are natural starting points in most towns, alongside Anglican parishes that identify as inclusive.