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Request from Salisbury

We're looking at ways to actively realise LGBT inclusivity and to that end are planning a relaxed casual 'drop-in' evening in Salisbury for all LGBTI+, people which is open to all. Click on the link for more:

10 May 2015: Event: ON THE 10 MAY 2015 CARDINAL VINCENT NICHOLS  PRESIDED AT A MASS WELCOMING LGBT CATHOLICS, PARENTS AND FAMILIES: REPORT OF THE EVENT.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols Presided at Mass welcoming LGBT Catholics, Parents and Families on Sunday 10 May 2015 at 18:15.    

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Catholics, their parents and families, gave a warm welcome to Cardinal Vincent Nichols when he presided at the Mass at Farm Street Jesuit Church in Central London on Sunday, 10 May, 18.15. To see a report:     

    This event has been held                                 

12 April 2015: New Book "A LIGHT IN THE DARK" by Stephene Robinson

The book charts Stephenie's story from darkness to success, which has lead a National Staff Association in policing, and how Steve eventually became the girl that would save his very existence.

14 February 2015: Notice: LGBT+CARERS PROJECT

Do you look after someone who has an illness, disability, and mental health need or drug or alcohol dependency? In need of emotional support or help with benefits and housing? Identify as LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender etc.)? If yes, the LGBT Carers Project is here to help.

Often carers do not get the support they need and are entitled to. This is especially true for LGBT+ Carers. The LGBT+ Carers Project at the City and Hackney Carers Centre is a community led project that aims to support unpaid carers by providing free services such as Carers Needs Assessments, Benefits and Housing Advice, LGBT+ Support Groups, Counselling and Social Events.

We offer a welcoming environment that is a safe space for all where you can access advice and support as well as community and friendship. If you, or someone you care about, have any questions about the LGBT Carers Project we would love to hear from you:

Email: lgbt@hackneycarers.org.uk
Tel: 020 8533 0951
www.facebook.com/LGBTCarersLondon
www.twitter.com/lgbtcarers

12 February 2015: Event:  PUBLICATION BY THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND OF THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE AND RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THE SHARED CONVERSATIONS ON LGBT ISSUES
 
The Official Website and Resources were published on this date by the Church of England for the Shared Conversations on Scripture, Mission and Sexuality. The website has been launched at: www.sharedconversations.org. There are two booklets. The first booklet outlines the thinking behind the conversations, the process and their place in the life of the church. The second booklet comprises four essays, with varying views, which participants in the conversations are asked to read prior to taking part in the conversations. Given the previous attempts in the Pilling Report to write trans people out of the picture it is very important that trans people take part

For the commentaries on the shared conversations provided by the LGBTI Anglican Coalition and  to download the resource material. 

1 January 2015: Event:  CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to
Jenny-Anne Christine Bishop O.B.E.

Jenny-Anne, convener of the Sibyls committee, is made
an O.B.E. in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for her
work on behalf of transgender people.

2 December 2014: Book: "GENDER-THE INCLUSIVE CHURCH RESOURCE"

The Inclusive Church Resource book series is published by Darton Longman and Todd. Designed as resource books for churches, each book has an introduction, theological reflection, stories from lived experience and a practical resource section The book series include Disability by John Hull and Mental Health by Jean Vanier and John Swinton. Sexuality by Susannah Cornwall, Poverty by Susan Durber, Ethnicity by Michael Jagessar and Gender by Rosemary Lain Priestley. 

The introduction to the book on Gender is by Dianna Gwilliams, chair of Inclusive Church and Dean of Guildford Cathedral. Along with the theology of gender the book contains 4 stories of lived experience by Hilary Cotton, Natalie Collins, David Monteith and Rachel Mann. The resource section is by Ronni Lamont. The book also includes an article by artist and broadcaster Grayson Perry.

Gender: The Inclusive Church Resource Rosemary Lain-Priestley and Bob Callaghan  ISBN 978 0 232 53069 8  Paperback.

 1 November 2014: Presentation:  SIBYLS GENDER, SEXUALITY AND SPIRITUALITY WORKSHOP

This workshop was presented at the Cutting Edge Consortium Conference on 'Equality and Religious Freedom in a Changing World' held on: Saturday the 1st November  at Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London, WC1R 4RL.

   For More Details of the Workshop

  For More Details of the Conference

    This event has been held      

27 September 2014  10:30-16:00: Event:  "TO HAVE AND TO HOLD - THE THEOLOGY OF MARRIAGE". SATURDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER AT ST JOHN'S WATERLOO

Recognising current unease in the Church of England over same-sex marriage, the conference asked whether there is a theological basis for expanding the definition of marriage. If so, what might a theology of equal marriage include?

    This event has been held      

15 October 2014: Book: MORE PERFECT UNION?

WE REGRET THAT THE BOOK LAUNCH MEETING ON THE 15th OCTOBER WAS CANCELLED. THE BOOK IS AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE

9 September 2014: Press Release: LGBTI ANGLICAN COALITION SUPPORTS CHURCH OF ENGLAND’S SHARED CONVERSATIONS 

From 15 to 17 September, the College of Bishops of the Church of England met for two days to start the process of Shared Conversations on Sexuality, Scripture and Mission. The statement notes that: 

The LGBTI Anglican Coalition welcomes this first step and our members will be praying for a successful outcome to the meeting.  Although we have reservations about the context in which this is taking place – articulated very clearly in the recent letter sent from the Trustees of Changing Attitude to all those attending the meeting – nevertheless we welcome the initiative, and hope it bears fruit............

For the full statement and link to the Changing Attitude Letter

27 September 2014  10:30-16:00: Event:  "TO HAVE AND TO HOLD - THE THEOLOGY OF MARRIAGE". SATURDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER AT ST JOHN'S WATERLOO

     For the Workshop topics

27 September 2014  10:30-16:00: Event:  "TO HAVE AND TO HOLD - THE THEOLOGY OF MARRIAGE". SATURDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER AT ST JOHN'S WATERLOO

Queries: conferences@lgbtac.org.uk

Bookings: www.ToHaveAndToHoldTheTheologyOfMarriage.eventbrite.co.uk

A one-day conference on the theology of marriage in the light of equal marriage

St John’s Church, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY

Saturday 27th September, 2014, 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. with:

Professor Adrian Thatcher, University of Exeter

Rev Dr Charlotte Methuen, University of Glasgow

Dr Scot Peterson, Oxford University

Rt Revd Dr Alan Wilson, Bishop of Buckingham

Hosted by the LGBT I Anglican Coalition

Recognising current unease in the Church of England over same-sex marriage, the conference asked whether there is a theological basis for expanding the definition of marriage. If so, what might a theology of equal marriage include?

£25/£10 concessions including lunch

Queries: conferences@lgbtac.org.uk

Bookings: www.ToHaveAndToHoldTheTheologyOfMarriage.eventbrite.co.uk

For further information and for the flyer

    This event has been held      

7 May 2014 : Advice:  INFORMATION FOR CLERGY WHO ARE CONTEMPLATING ANY ACTION WHICH CHALLENGES THE PASTORAL GUIDANCE RECENTLY ISSUED BY THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.

In circumstances where clergy are contemplating any action which challenges the pastoral guidance currently issued by the Church of England on Same-Sex marriage, the Coalition may be contacted on contact@lgbtac.org.uk for further advice.

17 May 2014  10:30-16:00 : Lecture: INCLUSIVE CHURCH 2014 LECTURE “WHATEVER HAPPENED TO LIBERAL CHRISTIANITY”

The lecture took place on Thursday 10th July, 6-8 p.m.  at All Saints, Pavement High Ousegate, York YO1 8RZ. It was held in York to coincide with the beginning of General Synod.

The 2014 Inclusive Church Lecture was given by Linda Woodhead. Linda is the Professor of Sociology of Religion at Lancaster University. Many will be aware of Linda’s recent contribution to the Church Times ‘Church Health Check’ series.

The event included the Annual General Meeting of Inclusive Church and an opportunity to preview the first 2 books in the Inclusive Church book series. Published by Darton, Longman and Todd the first books will be on Mental Health and Disability. Pre-launch books will be available.

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17 May 2014  10:30-16:00 : Workshop: "LIVING IN PROPHETIC HOPE" CHANGING ATTITUDE GREATER LONDON EVENT ST MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS LONDON WC2N 4JJ

This workshop prayed through and with the stories of individuals who have tapped into prophetic hope in the midst of homophobic oppression. It focussed on the story of the martyred Ugandan organizer David Kato, who, with his religious and secular friends, resisted the anti-gay witch-hunts in his own country; and it focussed on the stories of local panelists from Africa and Britain, who have fought for LGBTI and immigrant justice here in London. Through discussion, reflection, and prayer, we hope to discover the ways that God is stirring up prophetic hope in our own lives.

For more information

    This event has been held      

28 March 2014:Press Release: JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM THE CUTTING EDGE CONSORTIUM AND THE LGBTI ANGLICAN COALITION

RELIGIOUS LEADERS SUPPORT MARRIAGE FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES

A number of religious leaders signed the statement below. A press conference and photo-call was held at Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ at 11 am on Friday 28 March 2014. The statement declares:

We rejoice that from tomorrow same-sex couples will be able to marry in England and Wales.

As persons of faith, we welcome this further development in our marriage law, which has evolved over the centuries in response to changes in society and in scientific knowledge.

We acknowledge that some (though not all) of the faith organisations to which we belong do not share our joy, and continue to express opposition in principle to such marriages. We look forward to the time, sooner rather than later, when all people of faith will feel able to welcome this development.

 for the list of signatories and for the full document

1 March 2014: Article: CRACKING THE BINARY CODE: BENNY HAZLEHURST

This paper offers a critique of the ‘binary’ nature of much biblical interpretation and ethical belief in the Church, rejecting simplistic ‘either-or’ approaches to both. Instead there is offered an interpretation of key biblical texts through the lenses of circumstances, needs and motivation. It is argued that, when these factors are taken into account, even for Evangelicals, there is no longer a substantive biblical case against the acceptance of faithful, loving same-sex partnerships and the development of a positive Christian ethic for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. At the very least, the complexity of the interpretive task must lead to greater openness to and acceptance of those from whom we differ.

To read the article

The web link for the publication  is http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/anv.2014.30.issue-1/issue-files/anv.2014.30.issue-1.xml  and the article is called "Cracking the Binary Code". There is a short introduction to in on the Accepting Evangelicals Blog - http://www.acceptingevangelicals.org/2014/03/cracking-the-binary-code/ 

21 February 2014: Open Letter: LGBTI ANGLICAN COALITION OPEN LETTER TO HOUSE OF BISHOPS REGARDING PASTORAL GUIDANCE ON SAME SEX MARRIAGE, ISSUED 14 FEBRUARY 2014

The statement on the Pastoral Guidance on Same Sex Marriage, issued by the House of Bishops 14 February 2014 has caused a great deal of anger and dismay amongst the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Communities, not least because its tone and action has foreclosed on many of the issues which should be the subject of the facilitated discussions called for in the Pilling Report. We remain committed to these discussions but given the breakdown in trust which has resulted from recent actions it is now even more important that these conversations take place in a way which is not only impartial, but which is seen to be impartial by all of the bodies that are concerned.

We look forward to the opportunity of continued debate, and the open letter, attached, which has been sent to the House of Bishops of the Church of England is intended to help to rebuild some of the ground upon which the debate may take place.

To read the full Open Letter

16 February 2014: Press release: LGBTI ANGLICAN COALITION RESPONSE TO THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND HOUSE OF BISHOPS PASTORAL GUIDANCE DOCUMENT ON SAME SEX MARRIAGE. ISSUED 14 FEBRUARY 2014

The LGBTI Anglican Coalition is appalled by the House of Bishops’ recently-issued Pastoral Guidance on Same Sex Marriage, especially in the light of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s presidential address in which it was stated that differing views should be accepted in a spirit of ‘good disagreement’. In this document we see no acceptance of disagreement at all, but instead a heavy-handed and legalistic imposition of discipline.

This guidance is wrong in tone and content, and will further damage the Church’s mission, not only to LGBTI people, but to all people of goodwill who respect justice and truth. It may seek to carry disciplinary authority, but it has no moral authority and cannot command respect. We hope and pray that it will be swiftly withdrawn.

To read the full release