We Forget Sometimes

That not all religions are the same, that (I will go out on a limb and say) most of them are accepting.

When the great debate of marriage equality was being heard I noticed something, that the only religious leaders that the media interviewed were far right religious leaders. The media created an image that all religions were against it, but that wasn't true.

I remember sitting through the hearings on the Connecticut non-discrimination bill, a bishop testified before the committee in support of our bill. I know a priest who is trans and runs a parish. And I know of an out crossdresser who helps out with the parish, they are all Episcopalians.

Trans priest shares vital message for LGBTQ+ Christians at Christmas

For many, Christmas is about getting together with loved ones, eating lots of food – LOTS – and watching the telly. But it can also be a really difficult time, especially for LGBTQ+ Christians.

Pink News

By Sophie Perry

December 24, 2024

People of faith who are also queer can experience physical, psychological and verbal abuse and micro-aggressions at the hands of unaccepting families and church communities who do not acknowledge or affirm their sexuality and/or gender. Rejection, deadnaming and relationships not being recognised are just some of the things LGBTQ+ Christians can face, leading to poor mental health and an overall sense of isolation.

In 2021, research carried out by PinkNews as part of our All I Want For Christmas Is To Be Myself campaign, showed that of the more than 7,500 readers surveyed, 82 per cent had to hide their LGBTQ+ identities during the Christmas period. Ten per cent said they planned to spend the holiday period alone.

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Bearing that in mind, for the second successive year, PinkNews has asked Anglican priest Sarah Jones, the vicar at The City Parish of St John The Baptist, in Cardiff, and an honorary canon of Llandaff Cathedral, to write a special queer-inclusive Christmas message for LGBTQ+ people.

The Anglican church is an Episcopal in Britain.

Jones was the first person who had transitioned to be recommended for training for ordination by the Church of England. She was ordained in 2004.

My friend transitioned back around that time as an Episcopal priest, the church and parishioners had no problems with her transitioning. 

When I was helping out to pass the non-discrimination law I spoke at a number of churches around the state and the church members were always nice to us.

We tend to treat all religions the same... but there is a big difference between affirming churches and non-affirming churches.