Questionnaire 2: Question 9 Responses

What, for you, would the Methodist Church need to do in order to combat repression and discrimnination, to work for justice and human rights and to give dignity and worth to people whatever their sexuality?

‘Make it very clear that everyone is welcome, no questions asked.’

‘Continue as it is doing, and try to get the message most to the local church.  Coming out at Conference is one thing but had a church which I have served discovered my sexuality, they would probably have had me packing my bags the next day.  I would probably have wanted to pack my bags the next day.’

‘1. To guarantee that all complaints against lesbians and gay men because of their sexuality will be dismissed.  2. To put in writing the statement that the church will not use the opt-out clause on discrimination.  3. To ensure that all homophobia will be taken as seriously as racism and gender discrimination.  4. To offer liturgies for same-sex blessings.  5. To ensure that couples who seek same sex-blessings will be treated the same as divorcees seeking marriage, i.e. ministers who do not wish to conduct them have a conscience clause not to but they must refer them to a minister who will.’

‘The church would need to recognise gay relationships as having value in themselves as sexual relationships, and affirm the role of practising gays, lesbians and bisexuals who are in monogamous relationships.  Most recently with the Civil Partnership Act, the church would need to offer some religious affirmation to the civil partnerships entered into by Methodist, and other people.’

‘It would need to keep the members educated towards tolerance.  It would also need to attract the younger generation (of ALL sexualities) more by including themselves in societies that they are more likely to go to – i.e. youth groups, gay men’s choruses etc.

It would also need to take a shake up from the top down, including more people based on their abilities rather than their gender, race and sexuality – which I have known from some churches in the past.

Unfortunately I think these attitudes are what seems to be killing some of the smaller Methodist Churches – the one I used to attend the most – which 10 years ago had regular attendance reaching 40-50 has dwindled to a regular 15 at best.

Also the Sunday School I was a member of has now ended, due to no children attending as opposed to a regular attendance of about 15 10 years ago.’

‘Actively ensure that teaching and pastoral care was targeted to ensure that equality and diversity were not only respect but practised.  Ensure constructive Christian discipline to tackle homophobia.’

‘There is a need for fundamental education.  The church has never acted in earnest to combat repression and discrimination, merely to disassociate itself from it and advise against it.  The need now is not for warm hearted platitudes issued from the conference but for real and positive action.  Not for a condemnation of repression and discrimination but for a strong and positive affirmation of the love of God for all of the human race, a reminder in the strongest terms that there can be no discrimination in His love and that as His disciples here on earth there must be none in ours either.  It isn’t enough to merely condemn the negative, what is required is for the positive to be stressed.’

‘Seek dialogue with people of non-heterosexual orientations in order to form a more informed opinion regarding the nature of their sexuality. The key to this is the recognition of the universality of the concepts of love and sexual desire, as opposed to the localised specifics of the objects of both of these. A more reasoned outlook on this would inevitably result in a greater will to further the aims as listed in the question, and, indeed, a greater likelihood of the practice of these aims by those who claim to seek their furtherance.’

‘A simple church board sign would be a start, something along the lines of “you are welcome here, whatever your sexuality.”  I think that kind of open love would appeal to many heterosexuals too actually.’

‘To make it clear that sexual orientation is not a bar to any position in the Methodist Church from member to president and that all are welcome and equal.  To allow individual churches/circuits to appoint “practising” homosexuals to offices from minister to junior church leaders.’

‘I have twice requested in writing some type of support/counselling project to be available at Connexional level – especially for parents of gays/lesbians whose children (adult) are ordained into the Methodist Church Presbyteral ministry or are partnered in a long-term relationship with an ordained gay or lesbian (daughter came out 18 years ago).’

‘Accept gay men and women into ministry without needing to question their sexuality or requiring them to remain celibate.’

‘To re educate some of the older members.  Most of the younger ones are fairly accepting but some people either don’t know or don’t want to know about homosexuality.’

‘The question is probably too broad but a beginning would be to disassociate from the other churches and non-Christian faiths who have won concessions under the discriminations acts.  A statement by the president would help.’

‘To desist from requiring candidates for the ministry to make promises about their private life based on the assumption that heterosexual relationships are OK and that same-sex relationships are not.  To get itself into the 21^st century and agree to the public blessing of same-sex couples.  Work towards being a really inclusive church.  But I reckon the church will dither and delay, terrified of the “conservative evangelical” contingent who would leave the church immediately “if gays were given full acceptance and standing”.’

‘To accept and value each member for themselves, and not the label which the church attaches.’

‘1. Remove the need for candidates to ordained ministry to have to sign a statement about the Derby resolutions.  The fact that this issue alone is singled out is homophobic.  I understand that Conference 05 (which I attended) had agreed to remove this, but I gather that the working party’s current view is that this decision wasn’t taken.  2. Give permission for Methodist clergy to bless same-sex partnerships.  3. Give permission for sexually active gay/lesbian people (in non-exploitive adult relationships) to be open and accepted in the church as lay or ordained people.’

‘Become gender-blind’

‘Simply adopt the mission statement of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement which recognises that gay and lesbian Christians have the same rights as their heterosexual brethren to a full relationship with the one they love.’

‘Make a clear Conference statement of unequivocal support for both same-sex and mixed-sex relationships.  Remove any questions/declarations about sexuality from selection procedures.’

‘Accept people for what they are and to give support, at the same time not to put people living a gay lifestyle on a pedestal.’

‘National and local church leaders should be heard and seen regularly on national and local media speaking out on issues.  Conference needs to make simple statements on these issues; sexuality obviously urgently needs “sorting”.’

‘Accept people for what they are and what they have to offer the church.  Do not discriminate between lay and ordained members of the church, re. their sexuality.’

‘To changes its official view that marriage is the only suitable context for sexual practise – but that is not likely to happen, and in any event would create a schism.’

‘Follow the model of the more progressive elements in USA Methodism.  An excellent example is a church a friend of mine attends in Texas: in fact it is a perfect example of a pilgrimage taken in faith by a Methodist congregation’

‘It needs to educate the powers up high in the church to accept that there are people that have different outlooks than theirs and then infiltrate that down through to the ministers that are actually working in the churches themselves so they accept and make welcome everyone.’

‘Not discriminate against LGB leaders: equal rights for all Methodist leaders, whatever their sexuality.  Make a clear decision to not discriminate.  Ensure all ministers, deacons, local preachers and other leaders partake in a series of sessions to become confident about their own sexuality, and awareness raising about homophobia and its’ consequences. For CPD to include disciplining processes for those who engage in homophobia.’