Our blog

This is where you can explore ideas from individuals who care about LGBTQIA+ people, faith and current affairs.

If you want to contribute your own thoughts on these or other subjects, please contact us. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Bluesky to get new content as it’s published.

The views of blog authors may not represent the views of the Open Table Network.

The OTN blog was rank third in the FeedSpot Top 15 Best Christian LGBTQ Blogs And Websites 'ranked by traffic, social media followers & freshness' in July 2023.

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Open Table Network 27/02/2021 Open Table Network 27/02/2021

Gathering around an open table - A reflection on Body, Mind, Spirit by OTN Co-Chair Sarah Hobbs

FEBRUARY is LGBT+ History Month, an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans & non-binary history. This year’s theme is Body, Mind, Spirit - We asked our Patrons and Trustees to share their thoughts on this theme. Our Co-Chair Sarah Hobbs reflects on what it means to be an ‘open table’.

Open Table Network 25/02/2021 Open Table Network 25/02/2021

That's my history - A reflection on LGBT+ History Month by OTN Trustee Neil Rees

FEBRUARY is LGBT+ History Month, an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans & non-binary history. This year’s theme is Body, Mind, Spirit - We’ve asked our Patrons and Trustees to share their thoughts on this month. Our Trustee Neil Rees, who is an ally, reflects on why LGBT+ History is a history we need to share.

Open Table Network 23/02/2021 Open Table Network 23/02/2021

In The Name - A poem on the theme of Body, Mind, Spirit by OTN Patron Pádraig Ó Tuama

FEBRUARY is LGBT+ History Month, an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans & non-binary history. This year’s theme is Body, Mind, Spirit - We’ve asked our Patrons and Trustees to share their thoughts on this theme. Here is a poem by Pádraig Ó Tuama, first published in his autobiography In The Shelter: Finding A Home In The World.

Open Table Network 21/02/2021 Open Table Network 21/02/2021

When you are not invited to the table - A reflection on Body, Mind, Spirit by OTN Trustee Augustine Tanner-Ihm

FEBRUARY is LGBT+ History Month, an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans & non-binary history. This year’s theme is Body, Mind, Spirit - We’ve asked our Patrons and Trustees to share their thoughts on this theme. Here our Trustee Augustine Tanner-Ihm challenges the Church to walk with those who are rejected, not be a source of rejection.

Open Table Network 19/02/2021 Open Table Network 19/02/2021

Love and anger - A reflection on Body, Mind, Spirit by OTN Patron Paul Bayes

FEBRUARY is LGBT+ History Month, an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans & non-binary history. This year’s theme is Body, Mind, Spirit - We’ve asked our Patrons and Trustees to share their thoughts on this theme. Here is a reflection first published in 2016 on Via Media News by our Patron Paul Bayes. The message is still timely.

Open Table Network 17/02/2021 Open Table Network 17/02/2021

Gottmik, that little black dress and another 'new normal' - A reflection on Body, Mind, Spirit by OTN Co-Chair Alex Clare-Young

FEBRUARY is LGBT+ History Month, an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans & non-binary history. This year’s theme is Body, Mind, Spirit - We’ve asked our Patrons and Trustees to share their thoughts on this theme. Our Co-Chair Alex Clare-Young challenges society and church concepts of what is ‘normal’.

Open Table Network 15/02/2021 Open Table Network 15/02/2021

'You are my child, my beloved' - A reflection on Body, Mind, Spirit by OTN Patron Cherry Vann

FEBRUARY is LGBT+ History Month, an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans & non-binary history. This year’s theme is Body, Mind, Spirit - We’ve asked our Patrons and Trustees to share their thoughts on this theme. Here is an extract from a sermon for Open Table Manchester by our Patron Cherry Vann.

Open Table Network 13/02/2021 Open Table Network 13/02/2021

Well, You Made Us, Didn’t You? - A reflection on Body, Mind, Spirit by OTN Trustee Lucy Berry

FEBRUARY is LGBT+ History Month, an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans & non-binary history. This year’s theme is #BodyMindSpirit - We’ve asked our Patrons and Trustees to share their thoughts on this theme. Here is our Trustee Lucy Berry's response in poetry.

Open Table Network 11/02/2021 Open Table Network 11/02/2021

Anatomical revelation - A reflection on Body, Mind, Spirit by OTN Patron John Bell

Open Table Network 09/02/2021 Open Table Network 09/02/2021

Feeling flat - A reflection on Body, Mind, Spirit by OTN Patron Barbara Glasson

FEBRUARY is LGBT+ History Month, an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans & non-binary history. This year’s theme is Body, Mind, Spirit - We’ve asked our Patrons and Trustees to share their thoughts on this theme, starting with Barbara Glasson, former President of the Methodist Conference in Britain.

Open Table Network 05/02/2021 Open Table Network 05/02/2021

LGBT+ History Month - Meet world champion athlete Mark Weston who gave up titles won 'in good faith'

Here is the fifth of five ‘Faces of 2021’ for LGBT+ History Month, to illustrate this year’s theme, Body, Mind, Spirit: Intersex athlete Mark Weston, who represented Britain at the Olympics but had career achievements revoked when his gender identity was revealed.

Open Table Network 04/02/2021 Open Table Network 04/02/2021

LGBT+ History Month - Meet medical pioneer Michael Dillon, who became a buddhist monk

Here is the fourth of five ‘Faces of 2021’ for LGBT+ History Month, to illustrate this year’s theme, Body, Mind, Spirit: Michael Dillon, the first trans man to transition medically and the first Western European to be ordained as a Buddhist monk.

Open Table Network 03/02/2021 Open Table Network 03/02/2021

LGBT+ History Month - Meet writer Maya Angelou 'who teaches by being'

Here is the third of five ‘Faces of 2021’ for LGBT+ History Month, to illustrate this year’s theme, Body, Mind, Spirit: Bisexual multi-talented actress, writer, public speaker and poet Maya Angelou, a champion of equality and diversity for all.

Open Table Network 02/02/2021 Open Table Network 02/02/2021

LGBT+ History Month - Meet social justice activist Mark Ashton, founder of Lesbians & Gays Support the Miners

Here is the second of five ‘Faces of 2021’ for LGBT+ History Month, to illustrate this year’s theme, Body, Mind, Spirit: Gay social justice activist Mark Ashton, who died from an AIDS-related illness in the early days of the HIV pandemic.

Open Table Network 01/02/2021 Open Table Network 01/02/2021

LGBT+ History Month - Meet footballer Lilly Parr, 'the most brilliant female player in the world'.

This year's LGBT+ History Month theme is Body, Mind, Spirit, spotlighting five people to illustrate this theme. Here is the first: Lesbian football pioneer Lily Parr from St Helens.