Press Releases

  1. Bishop of Chichester Addresses Annual Conference of Lesbian and Gay Christians

    24 April 2013

    ‘You are among friends’ was the principal message given by The Right Reverend Dr Martin Warner, the 103rd Bishop of Chichester, as he addressed the Annual Conference of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) on Saturday 20th April.

    This was the first time a senior Anglican bishop had attended a specific conference of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) people. It came in the same week as the Archbishop of Canterbury had meetings with gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell and also with members of the LGBT Anglican Coalition.

    Bishop Martin Warner and Rev Sharon Ferguson

    Bishop of Chichester, Rt Rev Martin Warner with LGCM CEO Rev Sharon Ferguson

    Bishop Martin shared in the opening worship, welcomed the conference to his diocese and took questions. He said that the Diocese of Chichester values the LGBT community in its midst and that LGBT people have enriched the life of the Church and of the area. He identified himself with the conference strapline, ‘challenging homophobia, creating an inclusive church’ and told a story about a young person who was suicidal because of his inability to reconcile his faith with his sexuality but who was eventually saved by hearing The Reverend Dr Jeffrey John, the out gay partnered Dean of St Albans, speak at a festival. Brighton is a city full of students and young people, many of whom are similarly vulnerable, he added.

    In answer to questioning Bishop Martin said he was not in favour of gay marriage on theological grounds but he felt the Church needed to find ways to honour gay relationships. These were different from marriage but deserved equally to be respected and valued. He announced that the ‘listening process’ (listening to the experience of LGBT people) initiated by the 1998 Lambeth Conference, which had not really developed in this diocese, would begin afresh. And he confirmed that being in a civil partnership is not necessarily a bar to ordination.

    Nigel Nash, convenor of Brighton and Hove LGCM, said ‘we are grateful to Bishop Martin for coming to the conference and for delivering such a positive statement. This offers real hope for future cooperation’.

    Dr Keith Sharpe, Chair of Changing Attitude Sussex, commented: ‘we are delighted that Bishop Martin has committed himself and the Diocese of Chichester to fighting against homophobia and for inclusion. Hopefully the renewed listening process will mean that a real and open dialogue can develop between the Church and the LGBT community. In the light of his remarks about marriage we also hope that Bishop Martin will vote for civil partnerships to be celebrated in Church when this is discussed in the House of Bishops’.

    Rev Sharon Ferguson, Chief Executive of LGCM, said, ‘It was reassuring to hear the welcoming message from Bishop Martin which was sincere and heartfelt, and his response to the varied questions that were presented was honest even when the answer was not necessarily what the audience wanted to hear. This sort of dialogue allows for both parties to be heard and real progress to be made. I feel confident that a true listening process will be instigated and that the LGBT community in Bishop Martin’s diocese will find a welcome within the church.’


  2. LGCM wins Heritage Lottery Fund support

    20 April 2013

    Heritage Lottery Fund LogoThe Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) has received £54,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for an exciting project, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) Christian Oral History. Led by volunteers, the project focuses on the contributions of LGBT Christian individuals and organisations in the struggle for full acceptance and inclusion within the Christian church in England over the past 40 years.

    The project will enable younger LGBT people to discover the struggles and sacrifices that many endured to bring about the freedoms and equalities that the LGBT community now enjoys. It will also provide opportunities for the wider Christian community to learn about the contribution LGBT Christians have made to the Christian faith.

    LGCM is an organisation that works for justice and equality for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities by fighting against faith based homophobia and transphobia and providing resources for the creation of a truly inclusive church. Working with heritage professionals, participants in this project will gain a deeper insight and understanding into this previously under-researched and recorded part of LGBT history, as well as teaching them valuable new skills.

    Commenting on the award, Rev Sharon Ferguson, Chief Executive of LGCM said: ‘We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund as much of LGBT Christian history is being lost as early campaigners and supporters are reaching the end of their lives and organisations close. This project gives us the opportunity to save this valuable information for future generations.’

    Sue Bowers, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund London, said: ‘Significant changes have taken place in society regarding LGBT rights since the decriminalisation of homosexuality some 45 years ago and this project will reflect and record the pioneering work within the first religious denomination to establish its own group.’

     

    About the Heritage Lottery Fund

    Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported almost 35,000 projects with more than £5.3bn across the UK.


  3. LGCM welcomes parliamentary equal marriage vote

    6 February 2013

    The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) has welcomed the House of Commons decision to back equal marriage in England and Wales. Over two-thirds of the MPs who voted were in favour of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, which has cross-party support. The Bill still has to pass through committee stage, and the House of Lords, to become law.

    Rev Sharon Ferguson, Chief Executive of LGCM, said:

    The debate and vote in Parliament for marriage equality are extremely encouraging. Many MPs spoke movingly about the issues involved, including a number whose Christian faith has led them to support equal marriage.

    There is still some way to go before the Bill becomes law, so we should not be complacent. Those who believe in equality need to continue to make the case for allowing couples to pledge their love and commitment to each other in marriage, and for faith communities which wish to celebrate this to be allowed to do so. This will extend religious freedom.

    Changing the law here will bring practical, emotional and spiritual benefits to many lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people, their families and communities in England and Wales. It will also bring hope and encouragement to LGBT people and human rights activists in those other parts of the world, including in the Commonwealth, where homophobic laws seriously damage people’s lives. Working for justice is part of witnessing to God’s love for all.