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Report on Diocesan Study Day

January 2003

 
Over 100 people gathered at St John's, Waterloo, on Wednesday 7 November 2001 when the Southwark Diocese Lesbian and Gay Support Network launched their 'Statement of Integrity'. The Statement affirms the significant role lesbians, gay men and bisexuals have played in the spiritual, intellectual and material life of Southwark diocese in the past and in the present and their determination to be here, playing a significant role in the future life of the Church. The keynote speakers at the launch were Canon Eric James, and Angela Mason, Executive Director of 'Stonewall' Steph Blackwell, Urban Priority Advisor for the Diocese, opened by reminding those present how the group came into being at the Diocesan Conference at Caister nine years ago. SDLGSN now has 120 members. She said that two key images for the group have been a commitment to dialogue, and the living out of members' lives with integrity.

David Page, Vicar of St Barnabas, Clapham Common said the Statement celebrates how far the Network has come, with growing confidence among lesbian and gay Church members to proclaim who we are. He pointed out that society has changed dramatically in its attitudes to gay and lesbian people over the last decade while the Church has by contrast become more conservative. The Lambeth Conference was an attempt to force homosexual people back into the closet but we are not ashamed of our identity or of our contribution to the Church.

Canon Eric James spoke - with a considerable degree of humour - of his time as a young priest in an era when coming out was dangerous. He prayed that the Church will face up to the fact that many clergy and lay members of our congregations are lesbian and gay, and that the Church will treat them as equals in Christ, and thus regain its honesty, dignity and sense of justice.

Angela Mason, Executive Director of 'Stonewall' said the Statement of Integrity sends a terribly important message to the Church at a time when great change is taking place in society. Government policies regarding same-sex couples are becoming more accepting. A private member's bill has been introduced to the House of Commons seeking to recognise the validity of same-sex partnerships with regard to a whole range of legal issues, which in turn will probably alter the attitudes of society. Another attempt to get Section 28 repealed will be made next year. Progress is being made on combating homophobic bullying in schools. Equality rights are being extended in public institutions, showing up the Church's conservative official attitude even further.

She urged the building of bridges between lesbian and gay and other minority groups to form a strong coalition, citing the Admiral Duncan bomber who had also attacked black people and asylum seekers as well as lesbians and gays. There is convincing research evidence that people who have strong prejudices against homosexuals are equally prejudiced against black people. By 2003, she said, an Equality Directive will become law which will protect employees from discrimination on grounds of disability, religion, and sexual orientation. The church is still attempting to gain exemption, which would leave lesbian and gay people employed by the church unprotected.

The event was a great celebration of the truth the Statement proclaims: that, in all aspects of Church life in Southwark Diocese, lesbian and gay people 'are here, have always been here, and will continue to be here'.