Post Conference Report
The 2010 annual conference of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement took place on Saturday 15 May at the Drill Hall in the heart of London’s West End.
This year’s theme was Love Hurts: The effects of discrimination in the name of a God of love. Keynote speaker was singer/songwriter Rev Rizi Timane. Rizi shared movingly of her literal and metaphorical journey from oppression to freedom. Rizi flew in from Los Angeles where she has lived since fleeing Nigeria and an impending forced marriage – her family’s ‘solution’ to her homosexuality.
In the keynote address – more concert than talk – Rizi communicated powerfully and poignantly in spoken word and song her gratitude and thanksgiving for the liberation she has found from homophobia, fear and addiction through the love of God.
The day began with worship and members and friends from across the denominational divide united in a simple service of communion.
An important feature of the day were the workshops dealing with aspects of homophobia and transphobia, prejudice and discrimination, the positive work being done to challenge these and inspirational stories of those who have fought oppression to be who they are and to love the God they know loves them.
Dr Robert Wintemute discussed the question of whether civil partnerships represent equality or discrimination.
Tony Green and Colin Midlane led discussions around the educational resource that LGCM is currently producing to challenge religious-based homophobia in schools.
The Equality Act was unpacked by Martin Pendergast who helped participants explore the issues involved in safeguarding our rights.
Brenda, from Jamaica, and Shirleyann, from Barbados, shared their struggle to remain in the UK after experiencing homophobic abuse and talked about the work they now do empowering lesbian women, particularly asylum seekers.
Jenny-Anne Bishop of Sibyls brought an essential dimension to the conference with the challenge to resist transphobia, which has marginalized and made invisible many in the church who don’t fit accepted gender definitions.
The afternoon was taken up with the vital business of the AGM. A copy of the Annual Report can be downloaded here. New board members were welcomed, reports from various caucuses and groups were presented and Challenge 35 was launched.
No less important was the amazing lunch and the opportunity to mix with others also on the exciting journey of liberation in the love of God! The day closed with more worship, joyous singing, grateful hearts and a renewed determination to go back to our lives knowing that while love does indeed hurt us it also heals, empowers and changes us.
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