Category: Civil Partnership

Enduring Love? Couple Relationships in the 21st Century – part 2

WHAT MAKES a couple relationship happy and lasting? It helps if you’re gay, have no children, and like a nice cup of tea… Last month, The Open University published the finding of research project called Enduring Love? Couple Relationships in the 21st Century into how couples experience, understand and sustain long-term relationships in Britain today. It revealed that: Same sex …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2014/02/14/enduring-love-research02/

A matter of integrity: The Church, sexuality, inclusion and an open conversation

AS THE GOVERNMENT has announced the date when the first marriages for same sex couples in England and Wales can take place, churches which remain challenged by this social change would do well to follow the lead of Steve Chalke, a high-profile evangelical church leader, who earlier this year called for a radical rethink of Christian …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/12/10/a-matter-of-integrity/

WATCH: Defriended over a wedding – A straight man gains perspective

WHAT MAKES the debate over same-sex marriage around the world really interesting is the power of empathy, when ordinary people who are not LGBT begin to see it from our point of view. Spare six minutes to hear this man say why he began to get what it’s like to be judged second-rate for who …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/09/27/watch-defriended-over-a-wedding/

Not on our bus, Or, We don’t need no segregation

WHEN I FIRST went to an LGBT social group in Bath in my late 20s, I met an older generation of gay men who would speak in code to each other to avoid ‘outing’ themselves to others who might overhear them. For example, when discussing another man and wondering if he were gay, they would say …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/09/08/not-on-our-bus/

UPDATE: The ultimate question – Have I found the answer?

I BEGAN this blog a year ago after attending a seminar called ‘The Book You Were Born To Write’ by Nick Williams. Completing my 42nd year felt like an apt moment to do so, since 42 is the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe and Everything! It’s been an interesting and eventful …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/09/03/the-ultimate-question-have-i-found-the-answer/

‘I am what I am’ – A reflection on identity

The following text is a reflection I presented today during Morning Prayer at the church I attend with my partner. The church chooses a monthly theme for its services – this month’s theme was Musicals! When my partner and I were asked to lead a service on the theme of musicals, at first I thought: …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/08/11/i-am-what-i-am/

‘No-one is silent though many are not heard’ – Why I work to change this

This quotation, from a poster called ‘How To Build Community‘, was part of the inspiration that led me to start this blog around nine months ago. I have written about my experience as a gay Christian, as part of the first same sex couple to register our civil partnership in a place of worship in the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/05/19/idaho13/

Are we there yet? – The road to marriage equality

  THE HOUSE of Commons vote in favour of same-sex marriage on Tuesday 5th February was a landmark for equality, but it’s not the end of the journey – As Liverpool prepares to host the UK’s first National Gay Wedding Show next month, this is my personal response to the marriage equality debate, written for the March …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/02/10/are-we-there-yet/

Keeping faith in Pride

TONIGHT I was invited to share my story at the local meeting of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, which describes itself as: a UK-based international charity which challenges homophobia and transphobia, especially within the Church and faith based organisations, as well as working to create and praying for an inclusive church. The timing seemed …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/01/25/keeping-faith-in-pride/

A letter to our MP, #LoveEqualMarriage

The Lesbian & Gay Foundation have launched a new campaign to encourage people to fight for equality and support same-sex marriage. They are calling for people to contact their MPs to offer a message of support for same-sex marriage and encourage them to vote in favour of the proposed legislation. Here is our letter: Mrs …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/01/19/a-letter-to-our-mp-love-equal-marriage/

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