Changing Attitude Trust is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. The trustees are the directors of the company and are also the shareholders. They appoint new trustees/directors, aiming to reflect a wide diversity of experience from among Anglicans sympathetic to Changing Attitude's objectives. Changing Attitude has continued to evolve in the last 12 months, pursuing its objectives of advancing the Christian religion particularly but without restriction through the development of a mature theology of sexuality within the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.

What progress there has been for lesbian and gay issues nationally during the year has occurred on the secular rather than the religious front. General Synod didn't discuss human sexuality. There were no major news events, with the result that we received no invitations from the media. The House of Lords was the major focus of newsworthy material, where Baroness Young, supported by the Christian Institute, opposed the equalising of the age of consent and the repeal of section 28. Stonewall mounted vigorous support for both bills. A valuable working relationship between Stonewall and Changing Attitude is developing. We have lived through and survived an anxious year financially. Much time has been invested in preparing a Community Fund application, with associated documentation. Whilst this extended period for the pilot phase of the project has continued, Changing Attitude has expanded our supporter network, developed new diocesan groups, and responded to a growing number of invitations to participate in conferences and training events.
 

The number of people supporting Changing Attitude continues to grow. The database totals 294 (259 in 2000). Of 222 active supporters, there are 174 paid subscriptions, 12 partners, 32 newsletters sent free to patrons and other groups, and 4 supporters in Australia and New Zealand. 70 supporters have yet to renew their subscription.
 

Two new groups have been formed as part of the pilot phase of the project. The membership profile of each group varies greatly, with a differing profile of lesbian, gay, bisexual, married gay or lesbian and heterosexual members, representing a variety of denominations and churches. Increasing numbers attending are people whose faith has lapsed or who would now identify as agnostic or atheist.

The St Alban's Diocese Group met for the first time in October 2000 and has met twice since with further meetings planned.

The new Oxford group met for the first time in March 2001, has met once since and has a third meeting planned.

The London group continues to meet at 6 St Martin's Place every two months. At least one new person is present at every meeting. An average of 12 supporters attend each time and over 30 different supporters have come to one or more meetings. The group continues to generate ideas, initiatives and energy.

The Bristol group has developed a varied programme for 2001 and is attracting a healthy number of people to each meeting.

The pre-existing group Macclesfield group in Chester Diocese, hosted by Sigrid and Sylvia Rutishauser-James continues to meet monthly and Changing Attitude supporters will receive an enthusiastic welcome!

Initiatives aimed at creating groups in London, Canterbury, Birmingham and Lichfield are also taking place. The development of new groups forms the basis of our Community Fund application. If, as we anticipate, we are successful, resources will be channelled into setting up these groups from 2002.
 

A day conference for Diocesan Contacts was held on Saturday 28 October 2000 from 11.00am to 5.00pm at All Saints', King's Heath, Birmingham. Sixteen people attended. Each person shared something of their experience in their own diocese and news about Changing Attitude nationally was presented. Those present were positive about the value of meeting and wanted to repeat the day in 2001.
 

Invitations to address or participate in meetings continue to be received.

In Oxford Diocese, Colin participated in two of a series of presentations to clergy, the first in Bletchley and the second at the Oxford Diocesan House in North Hinkley.

We received two invitations from deaneries in Rochester Diocese, Colin attending the first in Southborough and David Page the second in Meopham.

Invitations to talk with groups have come from Quest, the Roman Catholic Group, St James' Piccadilly, where Colin led a workshop on spirituality and sexuality, the Guildford Diocese Human Sexuality Group, the newly-formed Religious Sexuality Forum, Young LGCM, a day conference at Mirfield and the Tablet supper round table.
 

The last meeting of General Synod prior to the elections was held in York. Colin and Ursula were present for the 4 days of Synod. Each had particular synod members they wished to contact, and engaged in some remarkable conversations over the 4 days. They were joined by other Synod members in handing out leaflets to arriving members on the Monday morning.

The Changing Attitude banner welcomed new members of General Synod to the November Synod in London, and a leaflet was handed to members as they arrived. The new Synod has a number of new gay members, including Paul Collier and Anthony Braddick-Southgate from Southwark Diocese and Stephen Coles from London Diocese. All are supporters of Changing Attitude and members of LGCM. The new General Synod has a more significant number of people known to be supportive of lesbian, gay and bisexual Anglicans.
 

Expenditure in the year to 31 May 2001 amounted to over £37,000 (compared to £23,000 in the previous year). The increase reflects the trustees' commitment to paying the Co-ordinator a full-time salary. The trustees have continued to monitor the charity's financial position and have reviewed its exposure to risks. Reserves are modest (held on deposit) and represent grants received for the Co-ordinator's salary.

Changing Attitude continued to receive generous funding from an anonymous charitable trust, for which we express our sincere gratitude. The trust announced that it would withdraw funding from the end of 2000. In the autumn the trustees therefore made an appeal to supporters which produced a generous response, and an additional grant from the anonymous trust. Receipts from individual supporters produced income of over £21,000, including some £10,000 as the result of the special appeal. The trustees are most grateful for this generous support. Sufficient funds were available to enable the pilot phase of the project to continue until the result of an application to the Community Fund was received. We were offered £119,000 rather than the £197,000 we had applied for, the Co-ordinator's salary having been deducted because it was an existing rather than a newly created and appointed post, and rent, heat and light costs were also removed. An emergency grant of £18,000 from the anonymous trust has enabled us to function whilst seeking additional funding. A second, revised application to the Community Fund was submitted in March 2001.
 

Five editions of the Changing Attitude Newsletter were produced during the year. The newsletter has published a wide range of articles and reports and news of developments in the secular sphere and from other parts of the globe as well as from the UK. The newsletter contains an expanding list of groups and meetings. The newsletter is widely appreciated by supporters and continues to be sent to all bishops, DDOs, SROs and Course and College Principals.

Two new information leaflets have been produced, both for diocesan contacts and group leaders. Publicising Changing Attitude - A Guide to writing and issuing a Press Release was written by David Self, and the purpose of Programme ideas for Groups is self-evident.
 

The Changing Attitude web site continues to be developed by Bertrand Olivier, who has constructed an attractive and comprehensive site which is regularly updated. By May 2001 the site had received over 3000 visits. The online lesbigayanglican forum hosted by YahooGroups now has 100 members (70 in 2000) and generates a healthy correspondence.
 

We are sad to report the death in 2001 of the Rt Revd Simon Phipps, retired Bishop of Lincoln. Simon was a sensitive and generous supporter of Changing Attitude. Bishops Michael Bourke of Wolverhampton, Michael Doe of Swindon, Laurie Green of Bradwell and Richard Lewis of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich, agreed to become patrons of Changing Attitude. We are grateful to them and to our other patrons for their continuing affirmation and support.
 

One new trustee was appointed during the year. The Revd Irene Cowell from Liverpool Diocese is a welcome new member of the trustees. Very sadly, after a tragic family accident, Susan Bury felt unable to continue as a trustee and resigned. Susan was a passionate presence during the Lambeth Conference and we are deeply grateful for her contribution.
 

Finally, we would like to offer our thanks to our supporters, patrons, funders and bishops, for the different ways in which they have offered support and encouragement during the year. Some have given very significant practical and financial help and we are grateful. To know that supporters are there, praying, reading, and often caring passionately, has helped sustain energy and commitment to the pursuit of a holy, just and inclusive Church.