The History of Seventh-day Adventist Kinship International

In the early 1970s, a few brave gay Adventist individuals sought connection and understanding with others who shared their journey. A single, small ad placed in The Advocate, a national gay news magazine, sparked a wave of responses—37 letters from current and former Adventists across the United States and Canada. This moment of connection planted the seeds for what would soon become Kinship.


Founded after a meeting in Palm Desert, California, Kinship quickly grew. Within four months, the group had 75 members, a temporary chairperson, and four active committees focused on membership, education, social activities, and spiritual growth, meeting twice a month. 

Kinship's influence expanded further as it joined forces with an Adventist in northern California who had organized a national gay SDA pen-pal network and a group in New York City that had been meeting informally since 1974. Together, these efforts created a vibrant and supportive community, laying the foundation for Kinship’s ongoing mission.