Kinship Awareness Month - October 2026
October marks Kinship Awareness Month, a time to celebrate fifty years of SDA Kinship’s commitment to truth, compassion, and community. It’s also a time to speak out against the dangers of so‑called “change ministries” like Coming Together Ministries, which encourage people to hide their true feelings and live behind a façade that cannot be sustained. These teachings promote shame and isolation instead of authenticity and healing. When it’s safe, being visible and vocal helps others see that there is a loving, affirming space within the Adventist community — and even if we can’t be fully out, we can still raise awareness that Kinship exists and stands for honesty, dignity, and hope.
You are valued, unique, and wonderful, just as God created you to be. We are a community — a family — united in solidarity to become the best versions of ourselves. Together, we celebrate diversity and inclusion, lifting each other up with love and understanding. Visit the Kinship website to explore resources and support, and check out the UnClobber course by Colby Martin, which Kinship provides free access to. It’s a powerful way to deepen understanding of the biblical texts often used to harm LGBTQIA+ people and reclaim them with grace and truth.
Stay tuned for upcoming Kinship Member Zooms, where we’ll have the chance to connect more personally, share our stories, and strengthen the bonds that make this community feel like family. These gatherings are a safe and welcoming space to meet others who understand the journey, celebrate our identities, and support one another as we continue growing into the people we were created to be.
Have a month filled with blessings,
Floyd Poenitz, President
@KinshipPrez on X
