Lovewise is a British charity that discusses “marriage, sex and relationships from a Christian perspective.” Their published materials present being transgender as a sin that should not be supported.
In 2026, Lovewise was listed by Amnesty International UK in retracted reports on anti-rights movements in the United Kingdom.
Note: for the unrelated US based group focused on domestic violence and trauma prevention, see Lovewise Foundation.
Background
Lovewise was established in September 2002. It obtained charitable status in February 2003 and was entered on the register of charities as Charity No. 1098210. Its governing trust deed was executed on February 12, 2003.
Lovewise developed a program of educational products for primary and secondary schools, church youth groups and conferences, as well as books, lesson plans, videos and online resources for parents and teachers.
Anti-trans activism
In 2017, they released a “True Love Interactive Bible Study Pack” that included a supplemental Leader’s Handbook with a section on Transgender.
Starting in 2018, their youth-focused website Lovewise Online began posting short anti-trans articles about gender identity and expression. One post states that gendering a trans person correctly is “colluding with a lie:, adding: “To go along with this may mean that you encourage them down a path of long-term harm.”
Another post counsels how to deal with a friend who is transgender: “So often we are told that the loving thing to do is to affirm and celebrate a person’s chosen identity but is that really the most loving thing to do?”
“There are many practical ways you can love and support any person who is struggling and so showing the same love and support to a friend identifying as transgender will communicate your love and care to them without you having to affirm and agree with their gender identity. Be willing to walk alongside them over an extended period of time.”
The introduction of compulsory Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) in England in 2020 prompted Lovewise to produce new online resources aligned with the statutory curriculum while maintaining its Christian theological framework.
People
Trustees
- James Cockburn
- Frances Elizabeth “Liz” Jones
- Chris Richards
- Sandra Mary Rome
Staff
- Chris Richards: Director
- Julie Maxwell: Deputy Director
- Jen Dawes: Resources Coordinator
- Julie Cumming: Administrator
References
Staff report (July 20, 2012). Anti-choice group’s school presentations spread misinformation about abortion and contraception. Humanists UK https://humanists.uk/2012/07/20/news-1083/
Anti-trans coverage
Richards, Chris (June 2, 2026). Important takeaways from the 2026 Lovewise annual conference. Evangelical Times https://www.evangelical-times.org/important-takeaways-from-the-2026-lovewise-annual-conference/
Maxwell, Julie [undated]. Julie Maxwell: The shocking truth about what is being taught in schools. CARE https://care.org.uk/cause/transgender/the-shocking-truth-about-what-is-being-taught-in-schools
Wyatt, Tim (June 20, 2023). Sex education: Should you be worried? Premier Christianity https://www.premierchristianity.com/news-analysis/sex-education-should-you-be-worried/15776.article
Selected publications
Staff repor (August 19, 2024). Off to Uni – navigating curriculum content. Lovewise Online https://lovewiseonline.org/off-to-uni-navigating-curriculum-content/
Staff report (July 22, 2024). Off to Uni – handling gender pronouns. Lovewise Online https://lovewiseonline.org/off-to-uni-handling-gender-pronouns/
Staff report (June 13, 2024). What if my friend says they’re transgender? Lovewise Online https://lovewiseonline.org/what-if-my-friend-says-theyre-transgender/
Staff report (May 23, 2023). Pride – What’s the harm? Lovewise Online https://lovewiseonline.org/pride-whats-the-harm/
Staff report (May 18, 2023). LGBTQIA+. Lovewise Online https://lovewiseonline.org/lgbtqia/
Staff report (February 19, 2022). Who cares if I’m a boy or a girl? Lovewise Online https://lovewiseonline.org/who-cares-if-im-a-boy-or-a-girl/
Staff report (November 23, 2020). Social Media and Gender Identity. Lovewise Online https://lovewiseonline.org/social-media-and-gender-identity/
Staff report (November 23, 2020). Created Male and Female. Lovewise Online https://lovewiseonline.org/created-male-and-female/
Staff report (October 16, 2020). Sex and Gender – is there a difference? Lovewise Online https://lovewiseonline.org/sex-and-gender-is-there-a-difference/
Staff report (August 17, 2018). Gender dysphoria in children – a medical perspective. Lovewise Online https://lovewiseonline.org/transgender-in-children-a-medical-perspective/
Staff report (May 17, 2018). What’s all the controversy about gender and identity? Lovewise Online https://lovewiseonline.org/whats-all-the-controversy-about-gender-and-identity/
Lovewise (2017). True Love Interactive Bible Study Pack. https://lovewise.org.uk/true-love-interactive-pack.html [archive]
Resources
Lovewise (lovewise.org.uk)
Lovewise Online (lovewiseonline.org)
Facebook (facebook.com)
X/Twitter (x.com)
Instagram (instagram.com)
Linktree (linktr.ee)
UK Register of Charities (register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk)
- Lovewise: charity number 3999011
- register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3999011