World Pride will be held in London during the summer of 2012, just ahead of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. Organised by InterPride, WorldPride promotes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues on an international level through parades, festivals and other cultural activities.

London’s World Pride in 2012 is expected to attract over one million visitors. The two week festivities will take place from 23 June to 8 July 2012, with the main parade held on 7 July with a Pride service at Bloomsbury Baptist Church at 6pm.

Please return to this page in the coming months for more information about Christians Together at Pride activities.

Go Into All the World

Keynote Speaker: Simon Barrow

Saturday 30th June, 9.30am – 5.30pm

Bloomsbury Baptist Church
235 Shaftesbury Avenue
LONDON
WC2H 8EP

This year’s Annual Conference and AGM will be held at Bloomsbury Baptist Church on Saturday 30th June with Simon Barrow as the keynote speaker. There will be a cheese and wine Evening the night before from 7.30 – 9.00pm.

We are called to take the Good News into ‘all the world’ and yet it seems like ‘all the world’ is all around us.

We live each day in many different ‘worlds’ often having to balance them and find ways to reconcile them to each other. Sometimes the LGBT Christian world can seem a daunting place to be but how are we taking the good news into other worlds such as the worlds of the D/deaf, disabled, homeless and asylum seekers.

With people coming together from all around the world to celebrate world Pride in London this year our conference will explore what it means to be part of a minority group within a minority group.

As Christians we can feel rejected by the LGBT community as well as from the Christian community because of our sexuality or gender identity. How can we share the good news with those who are often further oppressed by society?

Download and print out a form here and return it to the office, or call the office on 020 7739 1249 with your debit or credit card details.

We will be looking at ways to challenge faith-based homophobia and transphobia:

• ensuring equal access to health and public services
• ending religious exemptions in employment
• promoting inclusive education
• making schools safe for LGBT young people
• celebrating our relationships
• accepting the right to found a family

LGCM is organising this event in association with the Cutting Edge Consortium on Saturday 21st April 2012.

The venue is: Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London, WC1R 4RL.

A registration form and flier are available. Online registration is also available via the Conference page on the CEC website: www.cuttingedgeconsortium.co.uk

For further enquirires visit: www.cuttingedgeconsortium.co.uk or email: cuttingedgeconsortium1@googlemail.com.

She said: ‘In recent years, increasing numbers of people have come to believe that those entering into loving, committed same-sex partnerships should be able to have these registered as marriage. Others disagree. Differences of opinion can be found among Christians and in wider society. LGCM has been part of the Equal Love Campaign which has urged that civil partnership should be opened up to opposite-sex couples who want this, and marriage to same-sex couples. We know that others differ in their views, but hope that mutual understanding of each other’s perspectives can be promoted. Dialogue about the social, ethical and theological dimensions of this issue, drawing on the actual experience of couples and families, should be encouraged.

‘Cardinal O’Brien’s article in the Sunday Telegraph generates more heat than light. There are countries where same-sex marriage is lawful and the sky has not fallen in. Promoting fear of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people and of committed relationships between members of the same sex as somehow threatening society is alien to Gospel values of love, regardless of one’s views about the pros and cons of legalising same-sex marriage.’

Interview with Ben Summerskill
Tony Green had the opportunity to spend some time with the Stonewall Chief Executive, who has headed the LGB charity since 2003.

Care or Cure – do we need either?
Keith Sharpe reports on the Mainstream Anglican conference which equates homosexuals with ‘lepers’ who need to be cared for and cured.

The magazine is free to members, but can also be purchased for £4.50 including P&P if sent to a UK postal address. For non-UK addresses, an additional £1.50 should be added to the price and it will be sent via surface mail.

Purchases can be made in one of the following ways:

1. Call the office on 020 7739 1249 and we will take your debit or credit card details. We accept the following cards: Maestro, Solo, Visa, Electron, Mastercard and JCB.

2. Send a cheque or postal order made payable to ‘LGCM’ to the National Office: LGCM, Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, LONDON, E2 6HG, UK.

3. By using the secure online payment system, Paypal.

Postage Option

UK Postage £4.50 GBP Non-UK Address £6.00 GBP

Please allow 7-10 days for delivery.

ADVERTISING rates in All God’s Children

Now is the time to write to your local mp and ask them how they intend to vote and tell them why it is important to vote in favour of same-sex marriage.

Points you can make:

• In keeping with Equality Act 2010
• Further reduces inequality in the law
• Reduces discrimination and hate crime towards LGBT community by enhancing acceptance of same-sex relationships
• Promotes marriage and stable relationships which is good for society in general

For more information please go to www.equallove.co.uk.

A limited survey by the LGB&T Anglican Coalition of which LGCM is a member has already revealed that almost 100 Church of England churches would want to explore registering their buildings to offer Civil Partnerships if the Church of England would allow it.
 
This comes as registration forms for religious buildings become available for the first time this month following the end of the Government ban in December.
 
The news that so many Anglican Churches would want to explore registration shows the disparity between the official stance of the Church of England and that of ordinary parishes.
 
Canon Giles Goddard, a member of the Coalition and Chair of Inclusive Church said, “The 95 churches we have identified are the tip of the iceberg.  Patience with the Church of England is wearing thin among lesbian and gay Anglicans and their friends and families.  The church needs to learn to become inclusive and welcoming to all. We hope that measures will soon be taken so that individual parishes can opt into offering blessings and legal ceremonies.”
 
At present any such application would be rejected by Registrars because applications require the consent of the Church’s governing body, the General Synod, and there are no plans to ask General Synod whether it would give consent or not.
 
The House of Bishops has begun a review of Church policy on Civil Partnerships however, under the leadership of The Bishop of Sodor and Man, The Rt Rev Robert Paterson. Alongside considering whether clergy in Civil Partnerships can be appointed as Bishops, it is also expected to update church policy in the light of recent changes in legislation.
 
The Revd Colin Coward, Director of Changing Attitude England and member of the Coalition, said: “Congregations which are welcoming and open to LGB&T people, are impatient in their desire to model the infinite love of God for all creation and provide spiritual and pastoral care for lesbian and gay people who wish to celebrate their love and fidelity with their partner in church.”
 
Since Civil Partnerships began in 2005, over 47,000 have been registered, and there is growing evidence that many couples want to register their partnerships in a church or other religious context.

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