Gender recognition

Pam Gold, convenor of the solidarity circle for LGBT+, has issued a statement, following the recent Supreme Court decision on gender recognition.

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community I know how it feels to be shunned and unheard; one moment you are part of the team, the next you are pushed down and rejected. I've been there, well not as trans person but as a lesbian, a second class citizen who they would quite frankly want to disappear. But we won't disappear.

The Supreme Court decision made re Gender has been received by some with celebration and others with despair, sorrow and, yes, anger. Wherever you stand on gender (and I recognise that it is not  yay or nay to most people) it is important to remember that we are an Inclusive church and we stand by those values.

Equality means just that..we are all included, and that goes whether you are gay, straight, trans, of all races and more... All are Equal and Included.

I firmly believe that it is paramount to include all. We are all made in the image of God and must be included.In my experience the trans folk I know just want to live their lives and to be valued for who they are.

The Methodist Church promotes itself an inclusive church and we stand by this. I hope and pray that this is just an impasse and that change will happen. In the mean time, hug those trans folk that you know and keep them safe in these unknown times.

Pam Gold
Convenor of the Solidarity Circle for LGBT+