Category: Coming Out

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/

Stephen Fry: Out There – Meeting the gay TV presenter tackling global homophobia

LAST WEEK the BBC screened Stephen Fry: Out There, a ground-breaking two part documentary about homophobia around the world. As the title suggests, it was presented by the multi-talented Stephen Fry, who describes himself on Twitter as: ‘British Actor, Writer, Lord of Dance, Prince of Swimwear & Blogger.’ During the making of the documentary, the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/10/23/stephen-fry-out-there/

Did You Go Purple For #SpiritDay?

TODAY, the third Thursday in October, is Spirit Day, when millions of people wear purple and change their social media profile pictures to help create a world in which lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) young people are celebrated and accepted for who they are. What is Spirit Day? Spirit Day is an annual day held on the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/10/17/did-you-go-purple-for-spiritday/

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/

‘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/

Waiting for the lovers – Why we can’t rewrite this love song yet

THIS HAUNTING AND POIGNANT SONG is dedicated to those who don’t feel free to love for fear of judgement, or even physical assault, by others who assume their love is wrong: They met across the dance floor just like many other lovers Each of them were caught within a trance And with the nervousness of …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/05/27/waiting-for-the-lovers/

Photo A Day – December 9: Out and about #FMSphotoaday

TODAY I STAYED at home in the warmth, working on the annual report of the Michael Causer Foundation, of which I am a trustee. To prevent me going stir-crazy from being home all day, I decided to walk to the evening service at a nearby Anglican Church. On the way, I passed the derelict Welsh …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2012/12/09/photo-a-day-dec9-out-about/

Photo A Day – November 30: On the wall #FMSphotoaday

‘HOW DEEP dare I go? How far might I reach?’ These challenging questions form part of a framed display of the life story St Ignatius of Loyola on the wall of Loyola Hall Jesuit Spirituality Centre in Merseyside. I went there with an early draft of of my ‘coming out’ story to make an eight …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2012/11/30/photo-a-day-nov30-wall/

Photo A Day – November 24: Sound #FMSphotoaday

TODAY I was at a workshop about sharing good practice examples of LGBT work in schools. The sound I heard today was inspiration. As coordinator of the longest running LGBT youth group in the country, I receive requests to speak in schools and deliver workshops on LGBT awareness for young people. Other colleagues from around …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2012/11/24/photo-a-day-nov24-sound/

Photo A Day – November 20: Work/Play #FMSphotoaday

I AM very fortunate to be a youth worker, which means often when I’m working, I also get to play! Working with young people aged 13-25 helps keep me young. This is the rainbow umbrella I use to lead my LGBT youth group in the Liverpool Pride march each year. It is a highlight of …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2012/11/20/photo-a-day-nov20-work-play/

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