"I have heard the phrase “love the sinner, hate the sin” for over a decade, from Christians of several denominations. I think part of why many people feel okay preaching it is that it is made to ease the person saying it, to alleviate any concern that they could ever be discriminatory. It never questions their bias or prejudice. It never challenges them to think and do better."

Forgive the little muslim girl from adding some commentary:

There are two sides to that coin. Sure, it can be used as a throwaway line by an individual who chooses not to think deeply about it. But to a person that is theologically oriented, it's an important distinction. Without the distinction, gay individuals would have to be expelled from their church and shunned. With the distinction, essential religious practice can continue.

"Often times, people who use this phrase call for LGBTQ+ to repent, to live chastely. In other words, to hide and repress a part of themselves, to not be able to live authentically, otherwise they will not be in the same state of grace as other Christians."

That's one option. I wonder sometimes how many of the priest-monks of antiquity chose to become priests and hermits for this reason. I suspect gay individuals are well represented among the saints of your church. :-)

But, as I understand Christianity, look at the bright side. This is not considered to be the "sin unto death", I think it is phrased. It is possible that, considering he never married, this was the "thorn in Paul's side" that he refers to. And Christianity, I believe, accepts the idea of "deathbed repentance", which is really not a part of Islam.

In any religion, we must always keep our eyes on the prize. The purpose of this life is to get to the next life. And although we certainly want to have fulfillment and acceptance in this life, what really matters is acceptance at the end of this life, by He who really matters. :-)