Welcome to the Lesbian & Gay Christian Movement

All the world's major religions are faced with having to come to terms with a modern understanding of homosexuality. The place of gay and lesbian people in the life of the Church is currently Christianity's most divisive issue. Confronting homophobia is its greatest challenge. The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement is proclaiming a basic Christian truth. It is working for the very love and freedom that Christ brings to his people through his life, death and resurrection. LGCM is working for love, for peace, for justice, and for the promotion of the Christian faith especially within the LGBT community.
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  1. LGCM condemns recent vote by the United Nations to remove reference to sexual orientation from a resolution dealing with extra-judicial, summary and arbitrary executions.

    26 November 2010

    Homophobia ButtonThe Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) strongly condemns the recent vote by member states of the the United Nations to remove sexual orientation from a resolution calling on countries to protect the life of all people and to investigate extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary executions that are motivated by prejudice and discrimination.

    LGCM joins with other human rights and LGBT organisations in condemning this draconian development. The resolution urges states to protect the right to life of all people, and includes a call for states to investigate killings based on discriminatory grounds. For the past ten years, the resolution has included sexual orientation in this list of discriminatory grounds. Many member states do not recognise sexual orientation as being a reason for protection and have thus voted for it to be removed.

    Rev Sharon Ferguson, Chief Executive of LGCM, said:

    The reference to sexual orientation was part of a list which highlights many of the groups that are targeted by killings – including those belonging to national or ethnic groups, human rights defenders and street children and members of indigenous communities. Until now it has been accepted that the mention of sexual orientation is required to draw attention to the fact that this is often the specific reason why individuals are killed. The removal of this reference sends a message that people do not merit protection based upon their sexual orientation and will further fuel homophobic hatred and violence. As both an LGBT campaigning organisation and a Christian one we strongly condemn this institutional homophobia and acknowledge with sadness that very often it has its roots in Christian belief. We are reminded that the fight for equality and freedom is far from over. We shall continue to stand with others in this essential work.

    Category: Press Releases


  2. LGCM gives a cautious welcome to the Pope’s new stance on condoms but says the journey ahead is still a long one.

    Red RibbonThe Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) gives a cautious welcome to recent comments by Pope Benedict XVI concerning the use of condoms in some cases to prevent the spread of HIV virus as being “a small step in the right direction”. LGCM recognises however that this is the first part of a very long journey that the Catholic Church must take.

    On 20 November the Vatican newspaper revealed that Pope Benedict said in an interview for the book Light of the World: The Pope, the Church and the Signs of the Times, by German Catholic journalist Peter Seewald, that he recognised that saving lives was of greater importance than the ‘no condom’ rule. The Pope made clear that the Catholic Church does not see this as, “a real or moral solution, but, in this or that case, there can be nonetheless, in the intention of reducing the risk of infection, a first step in a movement toward a different way, a more human way, of living sexuality.”

    While this is in itself a significant step forward, controversy was caused by the example Pope Benedict used of male prostitutes using condoms to protect themselves and their sexual partners. It appeared that he was saying HIV/AIDs is a gay issue and it was also significant that he chose not to use the example of a loving relationship. The Vatican has however since clarified that this acceptance of the use of condoms is applicable to all people of whatever gender or type of relationship.

    In response to these developments Rev Sharon Ferguson, Chief Executive of LGCM, said:

    It is good to see that the Vatican has clarified the Pope’s comments and extended them to include women as well. It was worrying initially that he had singled out male prostitutes and thus implying that the spread of HIV was purely a gay thing. His clarification opens the door for the real problem of transmission by heterosexual sex in Africa to be addressed. Furthermore the fact that he has recognised, albeit not in a positive way, the existence of gay relationships in Africa is important when many religious spokespersons deny the existence of homosexuality in Africa claiming it to be a western disease.

    Rev Ferguson added:

    I hope it means that some people will now use condoms. The Pope has spoken of ‘the banalisation of sexuality where sexuality is no longer an expression of love’. I would agree with the Pope that we should all celebrate our sexuality responsibly but it is important that people recognise that HIV in Africa is not a homosexual issue. It is predominantly straight men having unprotected sex with female prostitutes who are then passing on the virus to their wives and through them to their children. We all have to work together not only to one day eradicate this terrible virus but to bring about a more whole and healthy understanding of sexuality and relationships. In this respect the Pope has only heralded the start of what is likely to be a very long journey.

    Category: Press Releases


  3. LGCM Yorkshire Meeting – Thursday 4th November 2010

    4 November 2010

    LGCM is expanding the number of local groups so that there are more opportunities for personal contact between members.

    Consequently we are pleased to announce a meeting with Rev Sharon Ferguson, LGCM Chief Executive on:

    Thursday 4th November, 7.45pm at All Hallows Church, Leeds

    (Refreshments will be served from 7.15PM)

    All Hallows Church is at 24 Regent Terrace, Hyde Park, Leeds LS6 1NP and directions can be found here.

    The meeting will be an opportunity to find out more about the work of LGCM and to discuss current issues. It will also be an opportunity to meet Sharon informally as well as other local members.

    In addition it is planned to discuss the possible formation of a local LGCM group in Yorkshire.

    The meeting is open to non-LGCM members who are in agreement with its objectives. Please pass on details to others you may know who might like to come.

    Please contact Sharon to confirm attendance on 020 7739 1249 or email lgcm@lgcm.org.uk

    If you are unable to attend the meeting but would like to be kept informed about developments regarding a local LGCM group in Yorkshire, then please contact us to let us know what kind of group you would like.

    Category: Previous Event