Monday, 1st February 2016
For the last 11 years museums, galleries, cinemas, theatres, trade unions, local authorities, schools, universities, colleges, clubs, pubs, churches etc. were embracing LGB&T communities past, celebrate now and discuss the future through LGBT History Month events in February. Every year there is a dedicated theme to identify diversities within the LGB&T communities. This year’s theme is: Religion, Belief & Philosophy.
LGBT History Month Fund recognised that LGB&T people have multi identity, we are also Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, pagans, agnostics and atheists.
LGBT History Month members reasoning behind the theme is also that The Equality Act 2010 asks us to 'foster good relations between the protected characteristics' such as gender reassignment, religion and belief and sexual orientation, hoping that steering discussion into religion, belief and philosophy will address conflicting opinions and struggles multi identity LGB&T people have experienced and discussing the way forward. Here are seven reasons for the theme..
“First of all, of course, we need to realise that lesbians, gays, bisexuals and trans people are also Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, pagans, agnostics and atheists. Our duty as Schools OUT UK is to represent the LGBT community in all its diversity.
Second, we need to recognise that most people who belong to a faith group have religion to bring peace and understanding to their lives. We also need to acknowledge that there are some who use – or abuse – religion to justify their own prejudices and bigotry.
Third, we also recognise that many in the LGBT community will hold prejudices towards people of faith. This is not without reason. There is a history of antagonism, apart from the current struggles over same sex marriage, same sex adoption, and conversion therapy and gender reassignment. Religious orthodoxies continue to exclude us and deny us access to opportunities enjoyed by cisgender heterosexuals. But religions promote universal love, as well as demanding that we do not judge. These are invaluable ideals and form the basis of a dialogue based on mutual respect and understanding. We need to offer the olive branch here.
Fourth, LGBT people of faith have made great strides to make their own places of worship inclusive at micro and macro levels; from the churchgoer who talks to the church leader and is out to the congregation to ensure they see the human face of LGBT, through to the brave campaigners who stick their heads above the parapet to challenge those at the top of the hierarchy.
Fifth, on a number of occasions it has been pointed out to me by my black, Asian and minorities ethnic (BAME) friends that their sexual orientation or gender identity is a part of their identity and that their religion, belief or faith is another part of that identity. For many, their belief comes first, and they feel uncomfortable when their faith is challenged by westernised activists for LGBT rights who don't fully understand their position. We need to be careful to avoid western perceptions and Eurocentric assumptions and be sensitive to the diverse needs of the LGBT community.
Sixth, we have choices. If we are unlucky enough to find ourselves in conflict between our faith and our true identity, we can walk away or we can seek reconciliation. Those who do not have that choice are having their human rights abused and that is a different, but massively important issue. Otherwise, that choice is theirs and we, as an organisation, need to respect it. Our duty is to support them. It's as simple as that.
Seventh, the UK is not a secular state. The Queen is the head of the Church of England and the bishops within the House of Lords give the church a guaranteed, unelected role in the governance of the nation. Every school in the land has an ethos. Most are Church of England and many are Roman Catholic or otherwise. With the growth of faith related academy chains and legislation to allow free schools, the current trend is towards more religious influence in schools, rather than less. We need to involve ourselves in these issues to make sure that the LGBT community is protected, safe and visible, and has a voice in all of our educational institutions. That is why this year we are taking up Religion, Belief and Philosophy as our theme”
LGBT HISTORY MONTH – RELIGION, BELIEF & PHILOSOPHY (2016)
"I don't feel that it is necessary to know exactly what I am. The main interest in life and work is to become someone else that you were not in the beginning." Michael Foucault
Why not share your story as LGB&T and dedicated to a particular faith, belief or life philosophy?
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