LGBTQ Sunday

James’s story [x]

While religion has been a constant in my life since I was born, faith is a much more recent addition.

My father is a conservative evangelical Church of England vicar, and I grew up completely immersed in the Church. I believed that I would not receive the rewards of success and happiness unless I was the right kind of well-behaved vicar’s daughter.

I could not understand that there was a difference between my own father – a complex person with one subjective interpretation of the Bible – and God, the heavenly and unconditionally loving father. So when my parents reacted poorly to me coming out as queer and trans, I thought it could not be acceptable in God’s eyes either.

I considered myself atheist until a conversation with transgender Christian friends sparked a new understanding of God: Queer and trans bodies are made in God’s image, and the creator of the universe would not have made humans to fit into two fixed and neat categories, capable of loving in only one way. I am still unsure of my exact beliefs, but I feel God’s presence most when I embrace myself wholeheartedly.

Since I moved to Lancaster in October, LGBTQ Sunday has been a vital source of spiritual nourishment. Each congregation member may come from different backgrounds or traditions, but we share an understanding that God seeks to liberate the world from all forms of oppression. I always leave the service feeling hopeful and committed to realising this vision.

Phillip’s story [x]

Growing up as a Christian who also happened to be gay, I’ve always been deeply aware of how much God loves me. I wish this experience was more common for gay people growing up in the church.

When I was a child I was often teased at school for being fairly obviously “gay”, but through it all I knew God loved me, and loved all the things that made me feel different.

This love is why, when I came out to myself aged 14, I never considered not being a Christian just because I am gay.

My relationship with Jesus has had its own bumps in the road over the years, but through it all God has held me close in unending love. And since coming to Lancaster for university in 2022, it’s been wonderful to meet other Christians of all different persuasions who’ve loved me for who I am with the same love God has for me.

I’ve found it helpful to ask myself; “How can I give and receive love as a Christian who is also gay”. This means that whatever we believe, we can all be united in God’s love, which is the centre of our faith, and a desire for all people, gay or straight, cis or trans, to know this deep love.

This is what brought me to LGBTQ Sunday, and it’s been such a joy to meet other queer people who want to live in God’s deep love for them. Wherever you’re at in your spiritual journey, just know that it’s this invitation to love that’s at the centre of LGBTQ Sunday, and we hope that through us you can know something of just how deeply God loves you.

Faith’s story [x]

As a child, my family and I went to the Salvation Army Church, it was a place I felt comfortable and safe. As I got older, I started to notice girls and not boys but back in the eighties it wasn’t the ‘done’ thing to be gay.

I ended up having two failed marriages to men because I was trying to conform to societal norms.

I then had a 16-year relationship with a woman which ended badly. Eventually I met my wife, Claire.

The Church was always in my life but not in quite the structured way it had been through my childhood. I struggled to be my authentic self in more conservative churches, and longed for a place I felt loved for who I am.

Even through my ill-health I have found strength in God.

In 2024, Claire and I were having the times of our lives, we had just got engaged and we attended Lancaster Pride where we found Christians at Pride. We ended up being involved in the development of what is now LGBTQ Sunday, and I feel like I’ve found that amazing place I was longing for. What an amazing place, we are a growing group of individuals with one thing in common: we love God. When people join us at LGBTQ Sunday they may be at all different stages in their faith or life journey. What is lovely about the environment we have created is the safety, calmness, and comfortableness, even for people who are attending for the first time.

Claire’s story [x]

My journey with faith and sexuality seemed to happen all at once!

When I was younger, as a family we visited the church for the usual christenings, weddings and funerals. I have always had faith, but it wasn’t because of visiting church, it was something I always felt inside, a bit like my ‘coming out’.

It took me until covid to finally be my true self. I met up with my mum on one of our allowed ‘daily walks’ and I just said “Mum, I’m gay”.

I think it took me so long to be the real me because I was afraid being me would affect the way people perceived me, and as someone who works in education, I was worried.

Around this time, I met my wife, Faith. After going to Lancaster Pride we were introduced to Christians at Pride which LGBTQ Sunday grew out of. I can honestly say it's a safe place where anyone can come and feel close to God and enjoy the company of a lovely group of people.

Michael’s story [x]

Their hands were touching on the table, and they looked lovingly into each other’s eyes; they were being interviewed on local TV on their sixtieth wedding anniversary. “He’s still my best friend”, she said.

Watching this, I was only twelve, but I knew I wanted that. I wanted to live with my best friend, for sixty years, look lovingly into his eyes, touch pinkies on the table, tell the world he was my best friend, share a bedroom with him, even better share one big bed, ideally naked, hugging each other all through the night.

Growing up, my parents had attended church, and so they dutifully sent me to Confirmation Class. The classes meant little, but there was a daily reading booklet. One day the reading was the poetry of the hymn My Song is Love Unknown. The words spoke of Jesus’ love, what they did to him because of it, and how we could weep with him, and love him, and give our lives to him.

The next day, the booklet’s Thought for the Day was this: “As you go about your ordinary day today, try thinking of everyone you see the way God thinks about them – as an individual beloved child of God.” And I remember thinking: you could build your life on that.

I met my life partner when we were both eighteen. It took us three years to realise that was who we were for each other. This year we have been together thirty-nine years. He’s still my best friend. I can quote every line of My Song is Love Unknown. And I believe fundamentally in the equality and dignity of all – as beloved children of God.

Outi’s story [x]

I am a straight woman, a wife and a mother in my fifties. The way I think about life, faith and God has changed many times over the years. I have travelled from a literal understanding of the bible to being able to view God as such a loving divinity that I can see that there is room for everyone in a church community. I no longer need to point out biblical verses on various topics as if to guide someone to the “right path”.

I have studied the bible, prayed, researched and read books as well as listening to others to broaden my understanding. Whilst doing this I stumbled upon an online Gay Christian community and this was a real eye opener to me. Talking with my previous vicar really helped me to process my thoughts in what I call “widening my horizons”.

I believe that God does not separate people into different categories depending on who they love. Love between any two people is beautiful and right. What matters is commitment and faithfulness.

A few years ago I joined LGBTQ Sunday. It has been attended by colourful and gorgeous people from all walks of life.

My family have gone through difficult times, but being able to attend LGBTQ Sunday services together has helped us to be there for each other, and to realise that love is what matters – that we belong, and are accepted and loved whatever.

Sarah’s story [x]

When I got divorced from my abusive husband and became a single mum, I felt shame. I had prayed relentlessly that God would fix my marriage, but nothing changed. I felt less than others in the church, I felt judged for something I had no real control over.

I suddenly realised how it must feel for LGBTQ Christians.

Around the same time, I came across a blog written by a gay Christian man. He talked about how he had prayed relentlessly to be straight. I was struck by how love and grace seemed to shine out of him. It provided a stark contrast to those in my church who were cruelly campaigning against equal marriage.

I’m sorry that it took me having to experience abuse to be able to start to question the things I’d been taught and never thought about. I’m sorry that I couldn’t empathise with other people without going through something traumatic myself.

As I healed, I realised how loved I was by God, no matter what. God also reminded me that this is exactly how God sees LGBTQ+ people too. As a wonderful creation, made, exactly as they are, in the image of a divinity who loves them beyond measure.

I take part in Pride because I want to stand in solidarity with my queer siblings and tell the world that God loves them, and that they are welcome in God’s house.

I am still learning to be quiet and listen. It still astounds me how welcomed and loved I am at LGBTQ Sunday and I feel privileged to be allowed into this beautiful space.