If you’re an LGBTQ person who’s out to any degree, chances are you’ve run into anti-LGBTQ fundamentalist Christians. Maybe you encountered an itinerant campus preacher, a less-than-tolerant coworker, or a well-meaning family member concerned for the state of your eternal soul. Perhaps they quoted Bible verses to back up their arguments against being queer or transgender and you didn’t know how to respond. These passages are commonly called clobber verses because that’s how they make you feel: clobbered. How do you respond when confronted with these verses? A bit of backstory and a few tips can help you.

What Are Clobber Verses?

Several Christian sects have doctrines forbidding same-sex love, but Protestant Evangelicals are typical the most vocal in their opposition. To back up their claims, they point to a collection of verses in both the Old and New Testaments of the Christian Bible. Religious Tolerance lists seven common passages used in this manner against LGBTQ people in general, while Patheos blogger Chuck McKnight mentions several more. Gender Spectrum lists some additional transgender clobber verses focusing on clothing and body modifications. Sadly, these texts have been used for several purposes:

• Asserting that the Bible prohibits homosexuality
• Pressuring LGBTQ individuals to forsake their identities
• Justifying discriminatory laws
• Supporting the Western gender binary
• Condemning trans people for wearing clothes that align with their identities
• Denying trans people access to gender-affirming medicine
• Pushing for dangerous practices such as conversion therapy
• Keeping LGBTQ believers out of Christian communities

The Doctrines Behind the Arguments

If anyone has quoted clobber verses to you, and you didn’t know what to say, take heart. You’re certainly not alone. In the face of people with seemingly unshakable conviction, you may be at a loss for words. That’s why it’s a good idea to know a couple of doctrines held by many Christians who quote these verses so you can better handle these situations.

Biblical inerrancy posits that the Bible is without faults or errors because it is the inspired Word of God, and Biblical infallibility claims that the Bible is true, trustworthy, and unequivocally incapable of containing errors because God himself is infallible. Some equate the two doctrines as the same thing, while others recognize them as different concepts. Believers in these doctrines also use a few verses to support their arguments:

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17
• Psalm 12:6
• Psalm 119:96
• Proverbs 30:5
• 2 Peter 1:20-21
• Hebrews 6:18

How To Deal With Clobber Verses

If you are an LGBTQ Christian or supportive ally, or simply want to learn more about the arguments accompanying clobber verses, plenty of resources exist. For example, Chuck McKnight’s Patheos blog post, Gender Spectrum’s guide, and PostBarthian explain how the clobber passages have been misinterpreted or taken out of context. If nothing else, these sources can provide a deep understanding and help you dispel doubts or false guilt.

You may be tempted to quote Bible verses in response to refute these Christians’ arguments. However, Queer Theology’s Brian G. Murphy points out that it may devolve into a never-ending debate. “When I talk to anti-LGBTQ Christians I find uninspiring, internally inconsistent arguments that ultimately boil down to ‘because I just think being straight is better,’” Murphy adds. This is because they’re using scripture to justify their bigotry, and maybe some of them want to “win” these arguments. Engaging them probably won’t change their minds, so your best bet is to stay calm and avoid being pulled into their discourse.

Your Mental and Emotional Health Are Paramount

For LGBTQ people who grew up in non-affirming Christian environments, clobber verses can reopen old wounds. Whether you’re religious or not, it’s essential to find support among affirming family, friends, and communities. Above all else, don’t give in to guilt or fear because you are not the problem, and you have every right to live as your authentic self.