Questionnaire 1: Question 8 - Yes Responses

‘It didn’t raise issues for me at the time but after the issue was brought into the open I did find the response of the person in question extremely arrogant and bigoted.’

‘The first was a second hand account where a person still loved their wife who had left him for another woman.  He was sad, but could only love.  The second was a minister, but I did not find out till after he had left.  He himself had a difficult streak in his nature.  A good preacher who gave the gospel message powerfully, yet wanted to get his own back in preaching etc when he felt hurt and the circuit vote was a majority not to prolong his ministry here.  It does raise issues of working with young people.  The third two had a good ministry in preaching and are well liked by myself and people here.’

‘We did have one minister in the circuit but I was unaware of his sexuality until he left.  When I knew this I was concerned because of his involvement with youth work in the circuit but then in retrospect you should have concern with anyone involved with youth work that they are not going to abuse their position.’

‘We had a gay minister at *** church some years ago.  He was a good speaker and was the prospective Labour candidate for ***.  He committed an “offence” and was moved from this circuit and lost his candidature for ***.  I also knew a Methodist who was a prospective candidate (conservative) for ***.  Later [there was] an entry into some business premises where he was holding a male brothel.  He suffered the same fate.’

‘1n 1980s we had a male Methodist minister who was single and was quite acceptable in the circuit until it became known that he was homosexual.  Then there was discord, but he was an eloquent and excellent preacher and I learned from members of his churches that he was extremely kind, thoughtful and helpful to everyone.’

‘*** had a gay minister for 5 years.  The focus of his life and work for the church was on his ministry.  His sexuality was not a major issue so far as I am aware.’

‘1, Methodist minister and friend.  We were not aware he was gay when he came to the circuit.  The only impact on his ministry was as a result of the attitude of others.  From my perspective it did not affect his ministry.  2, Vicar in the Church of England.  In this case his orientation was towards children – boys.  He was a married man and we were not aware he was gay until the case hit the headlines.  He was withdrawn immediately and the subject of a court case.  This obviously affected his ministry.’

‘As I have written on the other side we have had a gay minister and yes it was quite a surprise to us as it didn’t become known until just before the end of his appointment in our circuit, but he was still accepted by my church at ***.’

‘A gay minister within our circuit had to leave due to ill feeling caused by prejudice, although he was an excellent preacher and his social skills and work were very good.’

‘Incident of prejudice towards a gay lay preacher’

'It didn’t affect me in any way at all personally, but it did with some members of the church.’

‘Just one Methodist minister in our circuit, who I might add, preached a very good sermon and helped us (my husband and I), when things became financially difficult in as much as finding my husband a job, for which we were immensely grateful.’

‘Not in church but have worked with them, and been on holiday and seen them.  I find it hard to mix, as I feel sick to see them kissing and cuddling.’

‘Distracted and uncomfortable’

‘Whilst in the Boys’ Brigade it was found that an officer was “gay” and tried to pass on his “weakness” to young boys.  This officer resigned from the company.’

‘I accepted this person and we were good friends but some people made life very difficult for this gentleman, which caused upset in the church.’

'We have had a gay minister in the circuit a few years ago, but it didn’t appear to interfere with the job he was doing very well.’

'*** was my minister when I was a young lad in the *** Boys’ Brigade at ***.  I was about 12/13 was not involved with the politics, too young, but it appeared that he was hounded out the circuit.  There may have been other reasons but at the time it looked like it was because he “came out”.’

‘Because the subject is nothing new, the older ones among us will well remember a Methodist minister in our midst who quite frankly shocked many and surprised me that he could quite openly admit to being gay.  I am friendly with some one at the moment who come within this category, I am pleased that this person does not hold any special office.’

‘We did have a gay minister at one time in this circuit although he was a good preacher he was made to leave the circuit eventually.’

‘It proved very divisive’

‘One of our local minister was a practising gay man.  It did not effect his ministry in any way and I can see no problem what consenting adults do or not do in their private lives as long as it does not affect innocent people and they do not force their opinions on other people.’

‘Rev *** was here for some time and most people accepted him.  I found him to be a very good minister.’

'In concert party – gay men were very acceptable and nice people to know.’

‘A certain Methodist minister, who became a friend, was not known to me to be gay until much later in his ministry.  This acquired knowledge made no difference to our friendship nor did his sexual orientation impinge on church ministry.’