Currently opposite-sex couples can choose to have either a religious or civil marriage whereas a same-sex couple cannot.

Rev Sharon Ferguson, Chief Executive of LGCM said:

“This is a wonderful first step towards equality and I’m grateful that Stonewall has taken this issue up on behalf of the lesbian and gay faith community following our urging of this action last year. The vote was overwhelmingly in favour, 95 votes to 21, which clearly expresses the Lords’ opinion that God should not be excluded from the celebration of our relationships. LGCM will be joining with others in celebrating this victory. Christians of all convictions on this issue ought to see this as a step toward greater not lesser freedom of religious expression.

“The claim by some that this will force religious organisations to perform same-sex ceremonies is false. The Law does not force ministers and other religious leaders to marry opposite sex couples now, and won’t force them to conduct civil partnerships for same-sex couples.”

The change to the law will however enable those organisations who wish to offer this to be able to do so. Several religious communities – Quakers, Liberal Judaism, Metropolitan Community Churches and many of the Unitarian and Free Christian Churches – have already expressed a wish to hold legally recognised religious ceremonies for same-sex partnerships.

LGCM will continue to campaign for full equality with regards to the legal recognition of same sex relationships.

Pope Benedict addressed Bishops of England and Wales on 1st February exhorting them to oppose the Bill which seeks to bring together various strands of legislation which will ensure greater protection and equal treatment for women and LGBT people among others.

The Pope has said that the Bill contravenes ‘natural law’ and discriminates against Christians who do not agree that homosexuality is part of God’s natural order.

His comments reinforce the concerns expressed by Anglican Bishops and other Peers in the House of Lords who succeeded in amending aspects of the Government Bill in the belief that religious liberty was being undermined.

LGCM rejects the Pope’s comments and reaffirms its own commitment to equality and fairness for all, both inside and outside of the churches and other faith-based organisations.

Rev. Sharon Ferguson said: “In criticising British Government legislation the Pope is speaking about matters outside of the reach of core Catholic doctrine, and misunderstanding the issues at stake. He is showing that he and the leadership of the Catholic church have failed to engage with the experiences of the people which the equality Bill seeks to protect and which a rigid unyielding interpretation of Scripture and tradition continues to do violence to. Furthermore, the concern about being forced to ordain gay Bishops highlights the extent of the institutional homophobia as all Catholic clergy are required to take a vow of celibacy which makes sexual orientation irrelevant.“

ENDS

On Monday 25th January the House of Lords debated amendments to the Equality Bill introduced by conservative Christians and others, including Conservative peer Detta O’Cathain, who claimed that religious liberty was being threatened.

Peers narrowly voted for these amendments which will allow Christian and other religious bodies exemption from anti-discrimination law when employing staff.

LGCM joined with several Christian and other faith groups, along with human rights campaigners,  to denounce the vote.

Rev Sharon Ferguson said: “LGCM notes with dismay and sadness the decision of the House of Lords. It strikes at the heart of equality and justice and sets up one rule for religious organisations and another for everyone else. LGCM of course agrees that for someone to be employed in a position which represents the faith of a church or other religious body it is entirely reasonable that a person should agree with, and reflect, the ethos of the faith community which employs them. But discriminating against all LGBT people purely because of their sexual orientation, regardless of the way they live their lives, is quite simply homophobic.  It is sad that some Christians are taking pride in an amendment which makes Christian organisations able to operate at a lower level of fairness and equality than the rest of society. This is a dismal way to bear witness to the gospel and is not in keeping with the message and actions of the Christ they claim to follow. The vote on Monday does nothing other than sanction the forces of inequality among churches and religious groups and gives Christian and other religious bodies the right to discriminate.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s press secretary has told LGCM that Archbishop Rowan Williams is ‘very clear that the private Member’s Bill being discussed in Uganda as drafted is entirely unacceptable from a pastoral, moral and legal point of view.’ The press office went on to tell LGCM  that the proposed Bill was ‘a cause of deep concern, fear and, to many, outrage.’

LGCM has spoken recently on its concern that the Archbishop had not spoken out against this Bill, the Archbishops office assured LGCM that ‘the Archbishop has been working intensively behind the scenes (over the past weeks) to ensure that there is clarity on how the proposed bill is contrary to Anglican teaching.’

Rev Sharon Ferguson said ‘I only hope and pray that Archbishop Rowan Williams will now instruct all Anglican clergy in Uganda to speak out against this Bill and to take whatever action is needed to safeguard the lives of lesbian, gay and bisexual people. ‘

“If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone.” John 8:7

The phrase ‘Love the sinner, hate the sin’ is regularly quoted by Christians denouncing homosexuality and lesbian, gay and bisexual people are told that their sexual orientation in itself is not sinful and they are welcome in the Church as long as they are not ‘practising’ their homosexuality.

As Civil Partnership Law made it very clear that it didn’t imply or require that there was a sexual relationship between the two people registering the partnership I can only assume that Lillian Ladele has issues with all homosexuals per se which is not in keeping with the doctrine of her Church or Christ’s teaching.

When Christ was questioned about Roman taxation he said ‘Give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and unto God what is God’s’. He did not condone the taxation system and the hardships that it caused but he recognised the importance of obeying earthly laws whilst following God’s law of love.

Religious texts have been used throughout history to justify discrimination and oppression of different groups of people and as a black woman I would have hoped that Lillian Ladele would be more sensitive to this fact and be less inclined to do the same.

On hearing the decision of the Appeal Court the Rev Sharon Ferguson, Chief Executive of LGCM said, ‘Not only is this wonderful news that confirms that no one in the UK can use their faith as an excuse to discriminate against others but the refusal to allow a further appeal to the Supreme Court has finally put this to rest and stopped this wasteful use of tax payers money and time.’

Canon Mary Glasspool, 55, has been appointed as the new Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles, California within the Episcopal Church.

Rev. Sharon Ferguson said: “We are thrilled about the election of Mary Glasspool by the Diocese of Los Angeles as suffragan bishop. We are thankful for the wisdom, maturity and commitment to human rights which the Episcopal Church have demonstrated in this choice and pray that the same qualities will be shown by those who will ratify the decision.”

LGCM however joined with Christian groups within and beyond the Anglican Communion in questioning the rapid and immediate response of Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, especially in light of his sustained silence over the situation in Uganda.

Rev. Sharon Ferguson said: “LGCM notes with great concern, regret and some anger that instead of congratulating and encouraging the appointment of Mary Glasspool, Rowan Williams has condemned it. The Archbishop has said: ‘The election of Mary Glasspool elect raises very serious questions not just for the Episcopal Church and its place in the Anglican Communion, but for the Communion as a whole.’ Yet it is really the Archbishop’s own response which raises very serious questions for us all.

“This statement of condemnation by the Archbishop contrasts starkly with his continued silence about proposed legislation in Uganda that could see homosexuals imprisoned and in some cases executed. Some Bishops in the Church of Uganda actively support this homophobic and oppressive legislation. We believe it is time for Rowan Williams to get his priorities right and decide at what point unity is less important than justice and human rights.”

Saturday 6 February 2010 (10am to 4.30pm)

at Church of the Ascension, Stirchley, Birmingham.

Jointly organised by members of The Centre for the Study of Christianity and Sexuality, Inclusive Church, Changing Attitude, LGCM, The Sibyls, and Church members in Norwich and Birmingham.

Keynote Speakers

Arnold Browne The Scriptures and Sexual Diversity

Alison Webster Sexual Diversity and the Human Journey

The aim of this conference is to create a safe and holy speace in which we can explore the themes of human sexuality, faith, and relationships, through listening, reflection and discussion.  What is it about our sexuality that informs and expresses the nature of our huamnity and our relationship with God?

At a time when the Churh is deeply divided on the issue, many of us find this question perplexing, in the light of our own experiences, and of those whom we know.

Cost: £15 (Concessions £5)

Conference Joining Information and Booking Form from Daphne Cook, Centre for the Study of Christianity and Sexuality, 01789 762553 or daphnecook@btinternet.com

All are welcome.

The date is:

Saturday 15th May

and the location is:

The Drill Hall
16 Chenies Street
LONDON
WC1E 7EX

For more information about the Drill Hall visit their website.

All are welcome. More details, including online booking will be available nearer the time.

A unique coalition of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered groups, political social justice activists, people of all faiths and none, trades unions and professional associations, will be launched at the House of Commons on Tuesday, 24 November 2009. CUTTING EDGE will be inviting all Parliamentarians to be briefed on why it believes faith opt-outs from the Equality Bill must be rejected, as the Bill makes its way to the House of Lords.

The Cutting Edge Consortium, building on ground-breaking 2007 & 2009 Conferences on Faith, Homophobia, Transphobia & Human Rights, will hold an open meeting, EQUALITY BILL: OPT IN vs OPT OUT,  to discuss religious exemptions to legislation on sexuality and gender identity in the Equality Bill. Creating a cutting edge by opening up new possibilities of dialogue between a huge diversity of interests and activist position, CEC has carved out a challenging space to voice support for the Equality Bill.

Hosted by Clare Short MP, speakers will include Sarah Bourke (Tooks Chambers), Andrew Copson (British Humanist Association) Maleiha Malik (Muslim Women’s Network), and Michael Rubenstein (Equal Opportunities Review). The event takes place 19.00-21.00, Tuesday 24 November in Committee Room 5, House of Commons.

Founder-member Maria Exall said: It is vital that progressive faith and secular voices are heard loud and clear supporting the Equality Bill and equal rights for LGBT people.

CEC continues the debates from its 2009 conference, grounded in its 2007 Conference Statement:

The Faith, Homophobia, & Human Rights Conference, gathered in London on 17th February 2007, calls on all people of goodwill, of whatever faith or none, to affirm and celebrate human equality in all its dimensions and particularly to work for the elimination of any faith-based homophobia and institutionalised prejudice towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people.

We reject the activities of certain religious leaders, seeking exemptions from equality legislation, and attempts to base this on the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, such a right being for all, not just for some. We deplore the internalised homophobia within religious institutions that fails to confront prejudice and hate. We encourage and support those faith organisations, which express their commitment to diversity and equality in practice and policy. We believe that full civil rights for LGBT individuals are not only consistent with the right to religious freedom, but are rooted in the best and fundamental teachings of all major faiths; love, justice, compassion, and mercy, such values being shared by all who seek the common good.

We call for further progressive public policy that will deliver comprehensive and effective anti-discrimination legislation, including positive duties, on the basis of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, and belief. We call on the newly formed Commission for Equality and Human Rights to listen to the experience of LGBT faith networks and those who have suffered homophobia from and within religious organisations.

Today, the alliance of over fifty faith and secular organisations supporting this conference affirms and celebrates the values of human equality and social justice, rooted in the best of faith traditions, and shared by all who are committed to a fully human vision of a transformed society.

The Cutting Edge Consortium includes the Lesbian & Gay Christian Movement, Interfaith Alliance UK, British Humanist Association, Muslim Education Centre Oxford, Liberal Judaism, Trades Union Congress, and A:Gender, Centre for the Study of Christianity & Sexuality, Progressive British Muslims, Ekklesia, Inclusive Church, LGBT Consortium of Voluntary & Community Organisations.

Note: The Cutting Edge Logo expresses a knife-edge of rainbow colours celebrating equality, diversity and the need for cross-community cohesion in the face of homophobic and transphobic discrimination and violence. The Cutting Edge web-site, including presentations from the 2007 & 2009 Conferences and other key resources, will be launched shortly

Cutting Edge Consortium Enquiries:

cuttingedgeconsortium1@googlemail.com

Simon :  07906 445695   -  Maria: 07714 206404

It is with great sadness that we note the Anglican Church in Britain is saying nothing. The Archbishop of Canterbury’s office was contacted by us for a statement, but we have heard nothing. The Archbishop of York’s office told LGCM that Ugandan born Archbishop Sentamu “will not be making a statement on this issue”.

If ever there was a time for the Archbishops to speak out to protect human rights, is this not it?

Reverend Sharon Ferguson, Chief Executive of LGCM is ‘dismayed and shocked at this silence from the Archbishops regarding this flagrant vilification of LGBT people in Uganda.’

Consequently, LGCM calls upon all clergy and laity to speak out about this blatant disregard for human rights.