On being given a rainbow lanyard to wear at work
My current job was my first secular job after university, and my first day began as most do - with an Human Resources (HR) induction. After explaining workplace policies and handing over my new work ID card, the friendly HR assistant gave me a lanyard to wear it on. It bore the logo of my new department, surrounded by a number of LGBTQ flags. I thanked her, took it, and followed her directions to my new office. In February that year I joined True Freedom Trust after struggling on and off with same-sex attraction for several years. The previous few months had been difficult, but God had provided faithful support through good friends and a mentor at church. I felt settled in my convictions, had experienced God’s faithfulness in this area of my life and knew I wasn’t facing these struggles alone.
In September, I was moving cities for my new job and agreed to join a TFT Book Club. When Ruth, the TFT Women’s Worker, offered a group to join, I thought it would be good to have consistent support as I was leaving my previous church and friends behind. Although I’d only met with the Book Club twice before starting my new job, the WhatsApp group attached to the Club was one of the first places I turned after leaving the HR office with my rainbow lanyard.
The purpose of displaying LGBTQ flags on a workplace lanyard is usually to communicate inclusion and acceptance of that group. As a Christian, I wholeheartedly support treating every person with love, dignity and respect, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, just as Jesus calls us to do. I also understand why these symbols matter to many people. Those with same-sex attraction or different gender identities have faced discrimination, and some still feel unable to be open about their lives for fear of negative reactions. Seeing these flags can reassure people who identify in this way will be welcomed and treated equally and fairly.
However, also as a Christian, holding to the traditional biblical view of marriage, I didn’t feel comfortable wearing the lanyard as to me the flags communicated an endorsement of a liberal view of sexuality. Furthermore, as someone who experiences same-sex attraction, I found myself almost repelled by the idea of putting on something that seemed to deny the work that God had done in me and the identity he has given me in Christ. During my first day of work, I carried the lanyard around in my hand or pocket instead of wearing it.
The lanyard felt like a symbol for something that God had protected me from; my conscience seemed to cry out to put off the old self, an identity he had shielded me from adopting. Sexual attraction is not and should not be an identity. Whatever the world says, God’s Word holds true. I was relieved to notice there were others who didn’t wear the rainbow lanyard in my office, some had plain lanyards or ones linked to different departments and roles, so I assumed if I wore an alternative too, it would not be a problem. I was so grateful to have my TFT Book Club who could understand and offer suggestions and support, as well as Christian housemates who agreed with me in this area and encouraged me that evening after work. After talking it through with other Christians, I felt convicted to try asking HR for an alternative lanyard, even just to make them aware that not everyone feels the same. I sent a message to the HR assistant and politely asked if the department provides an alternative lanyard for those who prefer not to wear the rainbow one. She told me they used to have blue ones, but had run out, and that she would look into getting more and get back to me. Although she never did get back to me, I got myself a plain one in the meantime.
A few months later, another Christian woman joined our team. She asked me at lunch with another work friend why I wasn’t wearing the lanyard. She was asking because she wasn’t sure what the flags meant. She was from another country and thought maybe the rainbows were to do with the NHS. I felt uncomfortable having this chat in front of our non-Christian friend, who told her they were LGBTQ flags and said to me “I assumed you don’t wear it because you are a Christian”. It was good to know that despite correctly guessing that, she had still been happy to work with me. I acknowledged that it was because of my beliefs, but then tried to change the focus by mentioning that if I wasn’t a Christian I still might not want to wear a political symbol to work. I’m not sure if this was right or not, although by God’s grace I have more recently had a very honest conversation with this same colleague about my same-sex attraction and beliefs around that and she is still my friend.
The Bible teaches us that God is truth and loves truth and we should not be ashamed of what he says about sexuality because it is beautiful and life-giving good news. However, this area is one where misunderstandings can easily arise and it might not be the most helpful first conversation to have with others about your faith. I’m grateful that God gave me friends, wisdom and opportunities to be open about my beliefs and story when the time was right. If you are in a similar situation to me, remember to pray about it and get Christians around you for advice. Although living for Jesus at work can be difficult, God has put us in our workplaces and is faithful to help us there.
This article was originally published in the August 2026 online Ascend.
