Are Romantic Same-Sex Relationships Okay If Celibate?

Romantic relationships between people of the same biological gender are always sinful despite the absence of sexual relations. According to Scripture, the ungodly nature of the relationship itself makes it sinful, as does each partner’s desire and lust for one another.

Jesus taught about sinful lusts in Matthew 5:27-29 during His sermon on the mount. He said, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.”

Although Jesus’ words were spoken in the context of heterosexual adultery, His message was clear: Sin begins in the heart.

Jesus’ example in Matthew 5 demonstrates how lusting for someone is ungodly and sinful even if those desires are never acted upon (outside of biblical marriage). This same principle applies to homosexual individuals who lust after someone of the same biological gender as themselves.

Another aspect that makes a romantic yet celibate relationship sinful between same-sex couples is the physical activity between them. Affectionate, intimate actions such as hugging, handholding, and kissing in a romantic relationship are sinful when present in a same-sex relationship context.

I hope this information has been helpful in answering this relevant question. For more data on homosexuality from a biblical perspective, click here.