same sex
I have and will support moves to enable same sex couples to marry in our churches, and to allow clergy to marry same sex partners.
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I am very aware of the hurt that LGBTQ+ people and other minorities have often experienced in the church, and support moves towards greater inclusion, including increased support for committed same- sex relationships.
I originally decided to stand for synod because, as the proud father of a lesbian daughter and someone who has campaigned for greater equality and inclusion in the church since my ordination in 2005, I wanted to do my bit to try and resolve the current impasse on the issue of same-sex marriage.
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.
I have publicly advocated, and will continue to do so, for the full affirmation of same-sex marriage whilst allowing for diversity of theological expression and conscience as we have done with the acceptance of the ordination of women
I am against anything that excludes anybody, we need to be open to one-another in love, respect, and care, and finally allow same sex blessings.
I support women's ministry at every level of the Church, including as bishops, and I affirm people in same-sex relationships as full members of the body of Christ.
This does not mean that I believe ‘anything goes.’ There is much cruelty and exploitation of people in our society and we, as the Church, should be calling out promiscuity, unfaithfulness and domestic violence – and honouring relationships that are committed, faithful and caring, whether they are between people of the opposite sex, the same sex or non-binary.
I affirm the grace and goodness in faithful committed same-sex relationships.
The votes in the last Synod in favour of stand-alone services using the Prayers of Love and Faith, and for an end to the bar on ministry for those in same-sex marriages, are unfinished business which must now be taken forward without further delay.
faithful, stable, same-sex relationship, and will advocate for a Church that truly celebrates the gifts brought by each individual.
Same Sex Partnerships
In 2023, along with six friends, I co-founded the group Inclusive Evangelicals to give a space for evangelicals to express support for same sex marriage.
Our congregation has grown in numbers as a result of us taking a clearly supportive stance with regard to same sex partnerships.
I fully support the introduction of the Prayers of Love and Faith and would vote in favour of allowing Church of England clergy to conduct same-sex marriages if they wished to do so, while leaving clergy free not to do so if that is their conviction- much as we do at the moment with the remarriage of divorced people.
This is, however, not the full story because there are a whole range of ways in which gay people have been marginalised and made to feel unwelcome in the Church of England and we have more work to do, above and beyond same sex marriages, to turn this around.
For this reason, I will continue to advocate for greater inclusion and recognition for LGBTI+ people, and particularly LGBTI+ clergy, as the next phase of work begins to enable stand alone blessings for gay couples and to stop discrimination against clergy entering same sex marriages.
centralisation. Same Sex Relationships and Marriage This is important unfinished business for the new Synod.
So it is important for me that Synod considers the needs of all, including neurodiversity, the LGBTQL+ community and the recognition of same sex unions.
I affirm people in same-sex relationships — in 2020 I brought a motion to our PCC supporting equal marriage — and support the full implementation of the Prayers of Love and Faith.
I support the Prayers of Love and Faith, including standalone services, equal marriage in the Church of England, and the freedom of clergy to enter same-sex civil marriages.
I support the full and equal participation of LGBTQ+ people in the life and ministry of the Church; being in a same-sex marriage should not in itself prevent full involvement and/or ministry.
Back in 2022 a series of conversations began at Lambeth Palace known as the St Hugh’s conversations, where bishops and stakeholders from all the campaign groups met to discuss the way forward on the recognition of same sex relationships.
Astonishingly this came to an agreement that would allow clergy to solemnise and enter same sex marriages, but would also enable those of us who hold to the current teaching to remain within the Church of England.
I was a note taker on the platform to support the PMM at last July’s session of Synod on same-sex relationships.
I long to minister in a church where someone who is married to their same-sex partner can discern a vocation to ordained ministry, where my LGBTQIA+ clergy siblings do not minister in a postcode lottery, and in which when someone enquires about whether they can be married in church I don’t have to check whether their partner is of the opposite sex in order to celebrate their love for and commitment to one another, and seek God’s blessing for their life together.
One issue I particularly want to advocate for is greater inclusion within the Church, including the position of clergy in same-sex marriages.
I support the use of the Living in Love and Faith prayers for same sex couples by those clergy who wish to use them, and the right of clergy, following their own discernment, to decline to use them.
Married 35 years in a same-sex partnership; father and grandfather in a close family of five.
• Living in Love & Faith (LLF): Having lived in love and faith in a same-sex
To help achieve that aim, I believe that same sex couples should be allowed to marry in church.
In July, a motion affirming that committed, faithful same-sex relationships are compatible with Christian discipleship and ministry was carried by both the clergy and the laity.
I’m a same-sex attracted man (now married to a woman – yes, there’s a story there, I’m happy to tell you sometime) who holds to the traditional teaching of the church.
My priorities for a second term include: i) Inclusion Believing that, in Christ, we are all equal in God’s sight, I would continue to champion for standalone same-sex blessings and same-sex marriage within the Church.
The way forward with respect to same-sex marriage is still unclear but there is a renewed recognition that good process can help to produce better outcomes.
which is that permanent, faithful and stable relationships between those of the same sex can and should be hallowed; I also believe that every relationship calls for sacrifice, self-discipline and self-giving for all who are called to follow Christ.
Although Living in Love and Faith has formally closed, important questions remain, including whether clergy, ordinands and those exploring vocation can be in same-sex civil marriages, and whether the Prayers of Love and Faith can be used in standalone services.
When I first stood for Synod in 2015, I suggested that one of the major issues would be whether the Church should accept same-sex marriages.
I support change that would allow same-sex marriages, alongside conscience protections for clergy who cannot conduct such marriages.
However, throughout the debates in General Synod on the introduction of Prayers of Love and Faith and Stand-alone services for same sex couples I have consistently voted against their introduction.
On current issues, I support the development of blessings for same sex marriages and
I grew up in an evangelical church and for many years held the conviction that I could not support same-sex marriage, believing it to be against biblical teaching.
That changed through personal encounter, when I came to know, respect and love a same-sex couple as friends and fellow followers of Christ.
Specific questions Knowing how much headspace it takes up, I think it fair to state my views on same-sex relationships: but I should say this is not an issue of vital significance to me, and I hope there is space in Synod for those who are not defined by it.
However, inclusion is not simply about same-sex attraction: there are many other ways in which people can be made to feel unloved and unwanted.
The previous programme of Living in Love and Faith formed an excellent basis for discussion around matters of human sexuality and same-sex relationships and marriage.
• Same-sex marriage.
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.
I support the Church’s current teaching on marriage and sexuality, while regretting the way in which debate has so often appeared to focus almost exclusively on same-sex relationships, overlooking wider societal confusion and brokenness around sex and relationships.
I fully support the recognition of loving, faithful same-sex relationships, but our inclusion must go further, to celebrate and affirm every individual — lay or clergy — without discrimination, so I fully support the aims of ‘Inclusive Church’ and ‘Together in the Church of England’.
I support women’s ministry in all its forms and affirm same-sex relationships.
This election takes time at a key moment for the Church of England; safeguarding reforms, human sexuality and same-sex relationships and financial and parish sustainability being some key areas to consider.
It is inevitable that this will include moves to allow clergy to be in same-sex marriages.
The issue which will likely attract the most coverage and attention in the next Synod is the output of the House of Bishops working group to consider the process for the Prayers of Love and Faith and define what legislative change and work is needed for clergy same-sex marriage.
I am committed to the inclusion of women’s ministry at all levels within the Church and to affirming people in same sex relationships.
I am affirming of same sex relationships, and fully supportive of all in ministry.
I am pleased that we have a suite of prayers however am disappointed that we have not moved further over the last five years to offer services of blessing for those who are in committed, faithful same sex relationships.
same-sex marriages, currently not allowed to be ordained or start any ordination training;
I want to respect the conscience of those who cannot accept the sacramental ministry of women or the blessing of same-sex relationships, but we must also respect the majority who, like me, support women’s ministry as equal to men’s and wish to recognise faithful same-sex relationships among Christians.
I will work for the bar on ordaining and licensing people in same-sex marriages to be lifted immediately
• Same-sex/same-gender marriage
I am a believer in same-sex marriage and I don’t see this as inconsistent with scripture.
We now have blessings for same- sex couples and we all agreed to get rid of the
As a member of Together for the Church of England, I am committed to supporting the work of the Relationships, Sexuality and Gender Working and Pastoral Consultative groups to work for the day when the love shared between same sex couples as a gift from God which can be celebrated and blessed within Church and for clergy to be able to enter into a same sex marriage without facing punitive consequences for their ministry.
My own church community includes members in same-sex relationships, and I want them — and everyone who has felt on the margins of church life — to know they are seen, valued and welcome.
So I will resist changing either the church’s doctrine of marriage or canon law in a way which would allow same-sex couples to “marry” in church or clergy to enter into civil same-sex marriages.
I supported the LLF process, and the further work now proposed by the House of Bishops on same-sex relationships.
I hope that it will become possible to accept and bless faithful and committed same-sex relationships in the church. > I'll continue to support full inclusion of women at every level of the church. > I'll support the Church Commissioners' proposed “Project Spire”.
Living in Love and Faith: truth, compassion and communion I welcome the progress that has been made in making the Church more welcoming to people in same-sex relationships, while recognising that deeply held theological convictions remain on all sides.
The Church must find a way of remaining doctrinally coherent while making genuine provision for same-sex couples and for clergy and congregations who cannot conscientiously participate in such provision.
Yet my friendships and pastoral relationships with same-sex couples have convinced me that we need greater provision to support, care for and bless people in faithful, lifelong relationships.
Prayers for same sex couples I am wholly in favour of prayers of blessings for same sex couples.
I’m glad that General Synod has given its backing to work on same-sex relationships and marriage as the ‘Living in Love and Faith’ process has now come to a conclusion.
With two same- sex attracted daughters I am an advocate for LGBTQAI+ Christians to be fully included in the life of their own parish and the national body of the Church of England.
If elected to General Synod I will continue to advocate for clergy to be able to choose to use Prayers of Love and Faith in stand-alone services and for clergy in same sex relationships to be able to marry.
Several issues, such as same-sex marriage, were not finalised in the last five years.
Lastly, there is LLF, (Living in Love and Faith) or same-sex marriage.
Many in the Church yearn for their loving and committed same-sex relationships to be recognised by marriage in church.
However, in a recent debate on whether same-sex relationships are compatible with Christian discipleship, the House of Bishops voted firmly against.
I’ve seen the painful impact these discussions have had on same-sex attracted and gender questioning people connected to our own church.
I support clergy being able to use the Prayers of Love and Faith with same sex couples, where they think it is pastorally appropriate.
I voted for the Prayers of Love and Faith to welcome same-sex couples in our churches, and I support equal marriage, with no expectation that all churches would offer this; as with marrying divorced people, it would be up to the incumbent’s conscience.
We need to support the House of Bishops’ acceptance of the Legal Officers’ advice that stand-alone services for same-sex couples is a change of doctrine and requires two-thirds majorities in each of the Houses of Bishops, Clergy and Laity.
identity, I have long held the theological conviction that same-sex relationships are no more sinful in themselves than those between people of the opposite sex, and that creation is more diverse and complex than a simple binary divide on sex and gender.
I continue to hope that the Church can find its way to a more boldly inclusive position than its current official stance, and I would be pleased to see a move to same-sex marriage (with conscience provisions) within the Church of England, which also needs to be more focused on other issues of inclusion as a matter of gospel principle, justice and equity.
● Marriage I have people close to me in same-sex relationships whom I love dearly.
Being able to bless a same sex civil marriage in the same way as any other couple is a basic ask, but we haven’t even got there.
I wholeheartedly sign up to the following statement from ‘Together for the Church of England’: ‘I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.’ I fully support the Church of England being able to offer same-sex marriages for both clergy and lay people.
• I would vote for the full inclusion of people in same-sex relationships in the life and ministry of
I have been open about my personal experience of same-sex attraction and helped to establish Living Out
During the last term of General Synod, one of the main items which was discussed on a regular basis was “Living in Love and Faith” which looked at the subject of same-sex relationships.
I am extremely committed that there is, and always should be, a fully active place within the Church of England for those who are LGBTQIA+ and may or may not be in a same-sex relationship.
I support the ordained ministry of women at every level, bishops included, and I affirm people in same-sex relationships.
As a gay married Christian, I support the Church moving to the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people, including the recognition and celebration of faithful same-sex marriages.
This has been particularly evident in our debates about sexuality, same sex relationships, the sanctity of marriage and the Five Guiding Principles.
On same-sex marriage, I believe that priests should have the ability to decide who they marry, according to their own consciences and in consultation with the communities of faith that they lead.
That includes continuing to work for the possibility of blessings for same-sex couples and for LGBTQIA+ people to be fully recognised and valued within the Church.
I hold an orthodox view on same sex marriage, but I absolutely do not want this to pull the Church of England apart.
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.
(2) Same Sex.
If you are a Christian in a same-sex relationship, my heart goes out to you.
I am married to a lovely wife and am not in this situation myself, but I have been sympathetic to those who — through the Living in Love and Faith programme — have sought to find a way to have their same-sex relationship recognised in church.
I am keen to actively increase our reach in vocations and training especially from our more deprived areas, and to mobilise a prayerful and strategic response to the serious impact of our dwindling vocations I am also an Assistant Bishop in the Church in Wales and have been involved with their navigation of same-sex blessings and marriage.
I did not mention in my original manifesto the difficult debate about same-sex relationships, known as Living in Love and Faith.
I know that some traditionalist believers will disagree, even on the question of ‘same-sex blessings’, which is a minimal step.
I believe transparency is important, so I want to be clear that I support moving towards same-sex marriage and the full inclusion of LGBTQI+ people in the life of the Church.
School Governor (since 2019) Member of my parish church environmental group Supporter of Prayers of Love & Faith for same-sex couples Advocate for equality, inclusion, Fairtrade and the environment Volunteer English teacher with local Ukrainian support group Former Modern languages teacher
The last five years have seen significant progress, including strengthened safeguarding, Prayers of Love and Faith for same-sex couples, action towards Net Zero Carbon by 2030, greater recognition of neurodiversity and support for social justice and those in need.
I am determined to play my part to ensure that the new working groups deliver the freedom for clergy and ordinands to enter marriages to people of the same sex without penalty, that the current unjust (and unenforceable) restrictions on so-called ‘standalone’ services of blessing be withdrawn, and that the Church of England begins the steps towards equal marriage in church during this quinquennium.
Unity - how do we reconcile our differences on same-sex relationships?
Spoken frequently in debates (often being amongst the first to be called), and regularly tabled questions, spanning topics such as lay ministry, ordinand candidates, working class vocations, same sex relationships, safeguarding, governance, trust, Synod conduct, stipends, central costs, diocesan financing, and investment policy.
Church witness in sexuality: As someone who experiences same-sex attraction, I have wrestled long and hard with the Bible’s teaching in this area.
I am passionate about seeing same-sex attracted people encouraged, single people included, married people supported and the church as a whole able to flourish in the area of sexuality.
In the same spirit of generosity, I believe General Synod needs to find a way forward to affirm same-sex relationships while respecting theological differences around the Church.
Although the Living in Love and Faith programme was brought to a conclusion by the last General Synod, a number of key matters remain to be addressed, including whether to allow standalone services for same sex couples, and whether to allow clergy to contract same sex civil marriages.
I would, as a member of General Synod, commit myself to supporting moves to allow same sex couples, and particularly those in civil marriages, to have their relationships recognised by, and blessed within, the Church.
Undoubtedly, for the life of General Synod and the Church of England Same Sex marriage will continue to feature highly on Synod’s agenda.
I have also been able to speak several times in the various debates on marriage and sexuality, using my own personal experiences as a single, same-sex attracted woman to ensure no relevant voices are forgotten in the discussions and that God’s good word on sex and marriage is upheld.
As someone in a same-sex relationship, I know personally the hurt and uncertainty that many LGBTQ+ people have experienced within our Church.
On LLF I have voted consistently for change, to recognise, celebrate and rejoice with the same sex couples who have been part of church life certainly for my whole lifetime.
Human sexuality The process known as Living in Love and Faith drew to a close this year, with the Prayers of Love and Faith for same-sex couples commended for use in regular services, and the much-criticised guidelines in Issues in Human Sexuality withdrawn from use in the discernment process.
A new working group has been convened to make recommendations to General Synod, within two years, on authorising the Prayers of Love and Faith for use in standalone services and enabling clergy to enter into same-sex marriages.
Gender and Sexuality In the last quinquennium, we introduced authorised liturgy to celebrate same-sex relationships within existing services, but I believe that most members want us to go further.
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.
I welcome the Church of England's movement towards marriage for same-sex couples and want all people to know that they are valued, welcomed and able to flourish.
Same Sex Relationships
I was a vocal member at General Synod: I advocated for greater administrative support for local parishes to free up priests for mission; I spoke in favour of the House of Bishops speaking with a diverse voice; and, I highlighted the ways in which a discussion about remarriage after divorce was handled so differently from the discussions around same-sex marriage.
Although the Living in Love and Faith process has ended inconclusively, there is more important work to be done on the use of Prayers of Love and Faith, and the situation of clergy in same-sex civil marriages, among other crucial questions.