Seventh-day Adventist Kinship International is a support organization that provides a spiritual and social community to current and former Seventh-day Adventists who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual and/or intersex (LGBTI), and have felt hurt or rejected because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
[3] Kinship exists to ease the initial distress of Seventh-day Adventists when they realize that they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, and to facilitate the reconciling of their spirituality with their sexual orientation by offering suggested reading materials, personal dialogue, professional counseling referrals, and a network of supportive members.3 Kinship enables communication among members by publishing a free quarterly magazine, Connection Magazine.
Since 1980, Kinship has organized an annual week-long conference called Kampmeeting where members can meet and renew friendships.
Worship, lectures, music, group activities, and good food, including vegetarian fare, are all part of the program.
Regional coordinators communicate with members, sometimes by newsletter, and often sponsor meetings for social, recreational, educational and worship purposes.
The frequency and type of activities depend largely on the number and proximity of members living within each region.
[3] In 1980 Kinship held its first national gathering called Kampmeeting (similar to a typical Adventist camp meeting).
[6] In 1989 a pastor at Sligo Adventist Church in Takoma Park, Maryland, attended by many denominational headquarters personnel, conducted a support group for people with AIDS and their family members.
Twelve papers were presented on biological, sociological, psychological, legal, pastoral, theological, ethical, and Biblical aspects of homosexuality, and personal experiences.
Beginning in 2000, at the quinquennial General Conference Session of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, "Someone to Talk to," an outreach to Adventist families and friends of gays and lesbians, has had an exhibit presence in at least one large church convention every year, with informational handouts and book and DVD sales.
The name "Seventh-day Adventist" (SDA), which the General Conference (GC) has been using since its official foundation in 1863, was trademarked toward the end of 1981.
It is not clear what events prompted the action, although as early as April 1981 (when the trademarking process was probably already under way) the North American Division committee had mentioned seeking counsel concerning what could be done to stop Kinship using the denominational name.