affirming

The act of one who affirms something; an affirmation.

That affirms.

an affirming smile and approving nod

Accepting of same-sex/same-gender sexual relationships – or, more broadly, the gender identities, sexual orientations, and sexual relationships of LGBTQ people – on the same terms as those of cisgender, heterosexual people.

We remain because we are not without hope that the liberating spirit of Christ will make itself known through our insistence upon sharing fully in the life of the church as lesbian and gay Christians. We also stay because of the vital experiences of community with other lesbian, gay, bisexual and affirming Christians — community made possible by our mutual willingness to become visible to, and vulnerable with, one another.

For Paul would readily admit that as a Christian who is gay he knows first-hand what it means to experience the grace of God, divine grace that is received in the context of a welcoming—but not automatically affirming—church.