lgbt
I want to bring my lived experience, professional skills and experience of parish life to the debates and decisions of General Synod. “I will advocate for a Church that is open and welcoming to all, where every person knows that they belong.” A CHURCH WHERE EVERYONE BELONGS I am grateful that the Church of England already has lay and clergy voices willing to speak up on LGBT issues.
Commissioned as a Lay Pioneer in 2018 That has included founding Inclusive Church Peterborough, helping develop LGBT+ community groups, supporting a Community Fridge, Warm Hubs, Family Fun Days, mental health training days, outreach cafes, online services etc.
I support women's ministry and equality for LGBT+ Christians at every level of the Church, including equal marriage, while recognising that faithful Christians hold different theological convictions.
I suspect that this is where we will end up eventually but, as I said, I would like to help make this happen as soon as possible because our inability to bless same-sex couples or allow LGBT priests to marry, negatively impacts a lot of people and, as our former Archbishop Justin said, is catastrophic for the witness and mission of the church.
In the last year, you might have found me at my own church (largely), at a Taize service, a cathedral evensong, an ecumenical group service based in Coventry's Chapel of Unity, an LGBT friendly charismatic service and an open air communion.
I support equality and belonging at every level of Church life, and I will continue to advocate for the full inclusion and flourishing of LGBT+ people in our churches, leadership and decision-making.
I fully support women’s ministry and equality for LGBT+ Christians, at all levels and in all roles in the church.
On Synod I have been a key player for greater inclusion for LGBT+ people, fairer gender representation, action on racial justice and better accessibility for disabled and neurodivergent people.
I am fully supportive of women’s ministry and equality for LGBT+ Christians, at every level and in every role in the Church.
LGBT+ people, like every other person, bear the image of God and must be welcomed, listened to, kept safe and treated with dignity and compassion.
Last year I nearly left the Church of England, over safeguarding failures and its treatment of women and LGBT+ people.
I mentor priests, practise as an Ignatian spiritual director, and belong to the diocesan LGBT+ Clergy Group.
Conversations on what the future of LGBT inclusion in the church looks like won’t be going away for the term ahead, and if elected, I will always vote for a fully inclusive church.
• National School Faith LGBT+ Role Model (2016 – 2021)
Our churches also need to be safe for LGBT+ people. iii) Encouraging church growth I began my faith journey in my mid-twenties, following an HIV diagnosis at 24-years-old and was confirmed in 2015, at Southwark Cathedral.
"As Chair of Durham Pride and a member of the Church of England, I’ve seen firsthand how Father Simon’s genuine support for the LGBT+ community has helped make Durham a kinder and more inclusive place.
LGBT
Equal Marriage for LGBT+ People.
Accepting LGBT+ people, their relationships and their ministry: It’s a sorrow to me that LGBT+ family and friends are not always confident of acceptance in church.
So I will work to allow progressive parishes to celebrate same-sex relationships in their churches and to more fully recognise the vocations of LGBT+ people, while legally securing and respecting the conscience of conservative parishes.
This was an important step for justice and inclusion: Issues in Human Sexuality had caused deep hurt to LGBT+ people and was not fit for purpose.
On LLF, I’ve argued that until the depth of our different theological convictions is taken seriously, the process will continue to cause deep harm, especially to LGBT people (you can watch my full speech to Synod here).
I don't want another generation of LGBT+ ordinands wondering how honest it is safe to be; gay clergy editing their lives for fear of the consequences; or LGBT+ young people wondering whether the Church's welcome really includes them.
We have spent years talking about LGBT+ people.
So, some reasons not to vote for me... Þ If you are satisfied with the status quo, I am probably not your candidate. Þ If you think fewer parish priests, ever-larger benefices and Mission Communities are the inevitable future, don't give me your preference. Þ If you think the Church can call itself inclusive while women, ethnic minorities and LGBT+ people still encounter barriers to equality, don't give me your preference. Þ If you think the National Church Institutions and dioceses are delivering good value, our governance is sufficiently accountable, or that the Church has got safeguarding right, don't give me your preference.
On General Synod, I’ve promoted LGBT+ equality, racial justice, safeguarding and the environment, as well as the role of AI.
This includes people living with dementia, LGBT+ people, disabled people and neurodivergent people, all of whom should be fully welcomed, valued, and able to belong.
My other roles include Assistant Rural Dean of Lichfield, Vocations Advisor, member of the Property Management Group and interim LGBT+ chaplain.
I am affirming of LGBT+ people, their relationships and of supporting LGBT+ people in their vocation.
I am fully supportive of women’s ministry and equality for LGBT+ Christians, at all levels and roles in the church.
Migrants, refugees, Muslims, LGBT+ people, women and other minorities are too often subjected to hatred, suspicion and political scapegoating.
I am fully supportive of women in ministry at all levels, and the full inclusion of LGBT people in all aspects of the life of the Church.
This means ensuring accessible spaces, encouraging ministry in people from underrepresented backgrounds and, as a gay man, this is close to my heart, supporting LGBT+ Christians, especially young people.
LGBT+ inclusivity
I long for the Church of England to affirm and fully embrace LGBT+ people, recognising them as a valued and precious part of its life.
For me, that means marriage equality, and fully recognising the gifts and vocation of LGBT+ people within the life of the Church.
been made on LGBT+ inclusion in our churches through the Living in Love and Faith program.
When I stood five years ago, I promised I would campaign for more support to be given to poorer parishes with national funds deployed well, for young people to be better engaged with, for a more inclusive Church, whose doors are open to all, especially LGBT+ Christians.
Supporting LGBT+ Christians – as a youth worker, I have unfortunately seen many young people under the assumption that the Church today continues to see LGBT+ people as sinful and irreversibly broken and that we are no home for them.
Often LGBT+ issues are seen as an academic topic for argument rather than something that deeply touches the lives of real people.
The Church must do more to help LGBT+ people feel loved and supported whatever specific parishes may believe.
Representation - As a younger person and a member of the LGBT+
I am an Inclusive Evangelical and therefore have an inclusive theology on LGBT+ ethics.
In particular, it has helped people to find good inclusive theology and to give pastoral space to those who have found themselves excluded because of their inclusive theology, and supporting LGBT+ people.
And so I believe in the full welcome of LGBT+ people in the Church and am ‘pro’ same-sex marriage, which I believe to be consonant with the biblical narrative.
Therefore in my previous membership of General Synod I spoke and voted to encourage the flourishing of all human beings within the Church of England and would work again in General Synod to see LGBT+ people given the support and framework with which to do this.
I am fully supportive of women’s ministry and equality for LGBT+ Christians, at all levels and in all roles in the church I hope you will give me your first preference vote, with Cathy Rodes, another inclusive candidate, as your second preference
I believe with all my heart that full acceptance of LGBT+ Christians is essential if we are to reflect the true love and compassion shown by Jesus Christ to all those he met, especially minorities and those considered ‘outsiders’.
I fully support women’s ministry, equality for LGBT+ Christians, and for Christians from all races and ethnic backgrounds, at all levels and in all roles in the church.
I have worked to counter racism and have worked tirelessly for LGBT+ inclusion in the church.
I am fully supportive of women’s ministry and equality for LGBT+ Christians, at all levels and in all roles in the church.
Since 2022 I’ve convened LGBT+ clergy and diocesan staff, calling on the Bishop and Synod, to proclaim God's blessing on committed same-sex couples.
This was one of the reasons I became an LGBT+ Chaplain, to provide a safe and welcoming space for those who needed it.
Either I was in the mum group, LGBT+ group, student or younger group.
Colleagues tell me I am courageous and not afraid to speak up against injustice; if elected I will use my voice to advocate for those people who are often excluded; working class, LGBT community members and BME amongst others.