Premium Content:

Call for churches and governments to stop attacking LGBTIQ+ people

Equal Voices, the national network of LGBTIQA+ Christians and allies, has called for an end to Church and Government discrimination after Sydney Anglican Archbishop Glenn Davies declared people who support marriage equality should leave the church.

- Advertisement -

Equal Voices describe the comments by Archbishop Davies as striking examples of the ‘ugly face’ of religiously-based exclusion and harm inflicted on the LGBTIQA+ community.

The group have also drawn attention to the “reactionary gender diversity guidelines” being adopted across the highly extensive Sydney Anglican area.

“These developments have to stop”, said Equal Voices spokesperson the Revd Dr Jo Inkpin. “As both an Anglican priest and a transgender woman, I know only too well the harm that is being done. It is time to choose love not exclusion.”

Equal Voices believes that the federal Government’s proposed religious discrimination legislation gives the green light to such religious actions.

“It is no coincidence”, Dr Inkpin said, “that the Sydney diocese is also in the forefront of pressing for the strengthening of legally discriminatory powers. This week’s call for LGBTIQA+ people and their allies to leave churches is a harbinger of what is to come in our wider communities if Government does not rethink its own actions.”

In an online petition, at change.org, Equal Voices Anglicans express ‘grave dismay’ at the Sydney Archbishop’s statements this week, as “deeply damaging to the mental health and well-being of so many in our society” and a “betrayal of the love and generous hospitality of Jesus.”

They point to the numerous LGBTIQA+ Anglicans now married under Australian law and the impact of labelling such loving relationships as “sinful”, particularly in the light of the extraordinary high levels of mental health challenge among LGBTIQA+ people.

“The encouragement of outdated binary understandings of sexuality and gender”, say Equal Voices Anglicans, “is also hugely damaging, putting lives at risk.”

The group argue that Anglicans were supportive of the decision to allow same-sex marriage and statements by Archbishop Davies show that he is out of touch with the beliefs of his own congregation.

“We ask that those in leadership consider prayerfully the great harm that has been done…and seek ways to redress that harm. We urge that public statements and actions be made by all pastorally aware Anglicans, making clear that LGBTIQA+ Anglicans are welcome and affirmed.” the group said in a statement.

OIP Staff


Latest

On This Gay Day | In 1982 France stops listing homosexuality as a disorder

At the same time authorities equalised the age of consent.

‘Brigerton’ star Luke Newton to play famous gay fashion designer

He's signed up to star in a new play abut the life of Lee Alexander McQueen.

Jebediah will celebrate three decades with new tour

The tour is sure to be a huge party for the band's loyal fans.

At 20, Ari found himself one of many Australian youth experiencing homelessness

As the federal government looks at new ways of tackling homelessness, Ari shares his experiences.

Newsletter

Don't miss

On This Gay Day | In 1982 France stops listing homosexuality as a disorder

At the same time authorities equalised the age of consent.

‘Brigerton’ star Luke Newton to play famous gay fashion designer

He's signed up to star in a new play abut the life of Lee Alexander McQueen.

Jebediah will celebrate three decades with new tour

The tour is sure to be a huge party for the band's loyal fans.

At 20, Ari found himself one of many Australian youth experiencing homelessness

As the federal government looks at new ways of tackling homelessness, Ari shares his experiences.

Musician Ethel Cain issues an apology as historical racist posts surface

The singer took to Instagram to offer an apology and explanation.

On This Gay Day | In 1982 France stops listing homosexuality as a disorder

At the same time authorities equalised the age of consent.

‘Brigerton’ star Luke Newton to play famous gay fashion designer

He's signed up to star in a new play abut the life of Lee Alexander McQueen.

Jebediah will celebrate three decades with new tour

The tour is sure to be a huge party for the band's loyal fans.