Questionnaire 2: Question 10 Responses

Recent research on homophobia in the church found that 'the majority of homophobic abuse sufferered by gay men and lesbians in the United Kingdom is supported by the words and actions of the Christian Churches'.  What, if any, is your own experience of homophobia within the Methodist Church?

‘Very little.  One comment in a sermon but that’s about it.  As I’m not out to most, it’s not really discussed.’

‘As above, I have served one church which would have detested the idea of a gay minister.  I would not have stayed had my sexuality become common knowledge.’

‘We continue to hear of anti-gay comments. Just last Sunday, I was in an Anglican church where the Methodists have their service after the C of E service. The Anglican pianist is gay. As soon as he left the church, there were homophobic comments made about him in the Anglican vestry.

I was in a housegroup in the early ‘90s before I became a minister. We discussed a report, which I think was on marriage and single people. Comments were made about gay people as if we weren’t there.

When I was a minister in another Circuit, the prospect of conducting a gay blessing raised so much fuss. However, my ministerial colleagues were superb.

I think I’ve internalised so much of the homophobic stuff now that I have been scared, although increasingly I don’t care.’

‘Homophobia is never blatant. In my experience, it is predicated on interpretation of Scripture and the correctness of theology if the Bible is read to condemn homosexuality. The question I have been most frequently asked is whether I ‘agree with the Bible’ on the subject of sexuality, meaning that homosexuality is wrong. This does not of course include the Biblical verses relating to divorce and remarriage.

I worked with Kairos in Soho for 2 years and my experience of working mainly with gay men was their feeling that they were rejected and condemned by the church as an institution. If you want more information about Kairos, please let me know.’

‘Unfortunately, yes.

Not long before I came out, a church I was affiliated with (I attended youth groups there) got a new gay minister.  The reaction there was shocking considering that this was 1996 – a lot of people stopped attending, and people were calling him a pervert and against God – and this was before he even had performed his first service.

After he attended (he actually came to one of the fellowship meetings) it was clear to me that this man was an excellent preacher and Christian and the man was being pilloried.

It didn’t stop there though, and attendance dwindled with over half of the people leaving the congregation.  The reaction of these people, who I had previously liked and respected, prompted me to disassociate myself from this group and, inevitably, towards my own coming out.  From what I understand he was eventually forced out by the church council.’

‘Being regarded as someone who was leading another guy astray when I had a relationship with another guy within a different Methodist church.  The minister has since apologised and reviewed their thoughts and comments.  But initially I was regarded as being the problem and cause of my ex partners sin.’

‘Not being one, at church, work or anywhere else, to declare my sexuality from the rooftops there are few within the Church who are aware of my sexuality, though there will be certainly far more than I know.  Those who are aware have been generally supportive.  That is not to say that I have not experienced homophobia in the church, just that it has never been directed personally at me.

That which I have experienced has been given ‘Biblical support’ and has often emanated from the pulpit, though mainly from the laity rather than the clergy.  It is in the main fuelled by a typically inconsistent approach to Levitical law or a traditionally conservative interpretation of the words of St Paul.  On occasions when I have challenged this, the former is inexplicable (by the person trying to explain) and the latter is usually dismissed as “a matter of debate”.’

‘Any homophobic attitudes I’ve come across (though never directed at me) within the Methodist church has been more to do with entrenched socio-political attitudes to homosexuality and other forms of sexuality. These attitudes, of course, trace a direct line back to Leviticus. Rarely have I come across direct homophobic proselytising by clergy or senior circuit officials. That said, I have come across thinly veiled homophobic messages made from the pulpit by my father in various sermons. These normally come in the form of a message preaching the sanctity of the family and of marriage. There have also been quite outmoded messages regarding AIDS. This, however, has been isolated and localised and has never been a source of concern to me with the church nationally.’

‘Experienced none as have taken the precaution that no-one knows about my sexuality.’

‘Not much – I suspect my church and circuit would be fairly welcoming, though some clergy and I guess some members are not welcoming.’

‘Yes, especially by the way I seem to be “gagged” or silenced.  As my gay daughter and her partner insist on confidentiality, it is very difficult if not impossible for me to be open about their relationships – specially as I’ve had several years on Connexional committees, and as a journalist on the *** back in the ***, so would not want to risk making things more difficult for the gay minister than they already are.’

‘I am afraid to come out because of the negative attitude of most members.  Attitudes revealed in general conversation or more specific study in groups etc.’

‘The teachings of the church.  Quoting passages from the Bible to show that you are ill, unclean, diseased etc.’

‘Nudges, sotto voce remarks, sidelong looks.’

‘I haven’t suffered homophobic abuse but unfortunately homophobia is to be found in Methodism.  Only last month a well respected local preacher (with over 10 years experience) left me aghast at what I saw as blatantly homophobic remarks in his sermon.  In reply to my comment that I saw his words “a tad homophobic” (adding did he know I’m gay) he replied that he was not homophobic and has gay friends.  I have very enlightened support from local church stewards: one of them had challenged him on what he said before I had my two penny worth!!’

‘Harsh statements give permission for persecution.  One of the churches in my home circuit is “evangelical” and the minister is circuit super.  Other local preachers are invited to assist at the Eucharist.’

‘1. I have had conversations with people who have a literal interpretation of the Bible who believe that sexually active LGBT people will be “condemned to hell” no matter what relationship they have with God through Jesus as Lord.  2. The Derby declaration for candidates to ministry.  3. Clause 4 of the Derby resolutions is homophobic.’

‘Very little specific homophobia – but there is the telling underlying assumption that heterosexual marriage is the only “real” relationship of value.  We concentrate on “the sacrament of marriage” at the expense of the importance of relationships.’

‘I have found very little but until 2003 I was in London where there is broad acceptance of gay and lesbian people.  Here in *** gays and lesbians lead invisible lives but I have found homophobic views in meetings where the Pilgrimage was discussed.  I have opposed these from a Biblical basis.’

‘Have not experienced any direct personal homophobia – perhaps because I don’t choose to challenge general homophobic statements (makes me a coward, true, I avoid conflict).  I am “ground down” at times by the bland assumption that all church members are heterosexual.’

'Personally I have not come up against this issue but I can well imagine this to take place.’

‘I have not suffered.  In fact I have received a lot of support from the few I have come out to.  As a 62 year old single male I have not been aware nor suspected any adverse comment.’

‘The church tends to trap people into acknowledging their sexuality and then prosecutes them in the church court.’

‘I disagree with the statement.  The Methodist Church official statements condemn homophobia, and while that may not be the experience at local level, to say the Christian Churches “support” homophobia is harsh.  I am out only to a few people, and have had no real experience of any homophobia.’

‘I would disagree that abuse is 'supported by words and actions of Christian churches' - it IS apparent sometimes in the words/actions of individuals (more often of the 'fundamental' persuasion) but not whole communities. I have had experience of individuals being homophobic - but no more in the church than in society generally.’

‘I have been very lucky in my previous church in that I never suffered any homophobic abuse.  I do know that there was problems with older members of the church when we were looking for a new minister and there was the possibility that the person coming may be gay (there was a very nasty slur campaign against him) – numerous members of the church said they would leave if he was “taken on”, although when he actually arrived and started no-one left and everyone thought he was a wonderful guy.’

‘I see LGB friends and colleagues have to hide their sexuality to be accepted in their local Church.  I have LGB friends who have lost their faith because of the Churches’ attitude.  I am sickened by the hetrosexism I encounter at Church – heterosexuality really is thrust down our throats in the Church.’