Manchester Gay and Lesbian Foundation is offering those feeling lonely or alienated by their sexuality this Easter an online resource with a difference – Faithbook.
While Easter for many is the time of chocolate eggs, good stuff on the telly and a much needed long weekend, but for others the holiday is still very much a religious celebration.
And during this period, many LGBT people can feel lonely and alienated from their faith and family.
Online resource Faithbook allows them to read about religions, their approach to sexuality and includes interesting testimonials from relevant LGBT believers.
The resource, originally launched three years ago, lists all major faith beliefs and some local, national and international groups and contacts for further information along with some useful further information on books to read, films to see and research documents.
LGF campaigns and engagement manager Andrew Gilliver said: “The aim of this resource is to reassure people that there will be others who can support you both within your faith and in your sexual orientation.
“We know that some in communities experience rejection which can result in LGBT people finding it difficult to reconcile their sexuality with their faith, feeling they need to choose one over the other.
Mr Gilliver believes that even though new legislation finally allowing same sex couples to take advantage of equal marriage, there are still some people who feel uncomfortable with this.
He added: “There is often perceived negativity about religious attitudes towards homosexuality, therefore it is important that we use the messages of Easter to try and show that whatever our personal beliefs, the importance of friendship and relationships with ourselves and one another is as important now as it ever was.”
Reverend Andy Braunston has been the minister of the Manchester Metropolitan Church in Chorlton since 1996.
He describes the church as ‘somewhere the LGBT community come not just because we are tolerated, we’re accepted and celebrated’.
Speaking about the struggles that some are faced with when Easter rolls around he said: “A lot of people, especially if they come from more conservative Christian backgrounds, find it very difficult to cope with coming out as gay and maintaining Christian faith. A lot of people put faith one side while come out, and then reengage with the faith as an out gay person.”
He added: “Conversely other people do the reverse and try to out the sexuality to one side to concentrate on being a good conservative Christian and that normally leads to a nervous breakdown.
“We find people often come to us to want to re-engage in faith without having to feel guilty and be worried about what other people think.”
When asked what words of support he had for the LGBT community at odds with their religion or sexuality this Easter the Rev said: “God loves us no matter what the church says.”
Faithbook can be found here.
