For LGBT+ Methodists and our allies this month’s Methodist Conference is especially significant. Revd Mark Rowland from Dignity and Worth, the LGBT+ advocacy charity within the Methodist Church, explains.

IN the second of a series of reflections for Pride Month, our Patron Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool, shares how his support for LCR Pride Foundation, the Liverpool City Region’s LGBT+ organisation, has been a gift to him.

IN the first of a series of reflections for Pride Month, our trustee Augustine Tanner-Ihm shares how his queerness has made him a better student, a better Christian, and a better human.

WHEN the Premier Christianity website published an article against same-sex marriage last month, Dr Charlie Bell, Fellow at Girton College, Cambridge and ordinand at St Augustine’s College of Theology, offered to write a reply, which they agreed to publish. Later he was told that ‘website issues have made this impossible’. Here is his reply to the Premier article:

WE’RE DELIGHTED to share the news that a long-term supporter of Open Table has been recommended to begin training for ordination in the Church of England.

What does a pop song by a black gay man have to do with the experience of racist exclusion in the Church? Our trustee Augustine Tanner-Ihm explores from personal experience.

Our Co-Chair Alex Claire-Young reflects on the experience of interviewing OTN Patron John Bell, whose inclusive music and lyrics have been a profound inspiration

Last month the Director of the Evangelical Alliance wrote to the Prime Minister to defend 'religious freedom' in calls to ban conversion therapy. Our Trustee Neil Rees helped OTN produce a response. Now an ITV journalist has shared a reply from Boris Johnson, Neil writes a personal response.

Our Coordinator Kieran reflects on how a song he sang in church as a young adult came to be a call for him to ministry with and for LGBTQIA+ Christians which has become the Open Table Network

Kieran our Coordinator reflects on how a year of lockdowns radically changed the way we work together with our LGBT+ Christian partners

TODAY Christians remember the Annunciation, when God's messenger announced that Mary would bear God's son, and name him Jesus, and she said ‘Yes’. (Luke 1. 26-38). Here is a point of view of the angel, written by OTN Patron Rachel Mann, in her 2015 book A Star-Filled Grace.

This prayer written by Pádraig Ó Tuama is inspired by an Irish saying, in which the same word can mean both shelter and shadow. On this National Day of Reflection, it feels fitting at this time when many of us feel the shadow of fear and need to shelter to keep ourselves and each other safe.

DID YOU HEAR the one about the advert which led to a huge petition for ‘trying to cause gratuitous offence to members of the Christian community’? Unfortunately it’s no joke, and the petition has probably done more to harm the public perception of Christianity than the advert. Our Co-ordinator Kieran Bohan explains.

The England & Wales Census on 21st March will ask voluntary questions about sexual orientation and gender identity for the first time. This should ensure that LGBT+ communities are counted, but there are problems, especially for trans and non-binary folk. Our Co-Chair Alex Clare-Young explains.

When you read Dazzling Darkness - I write when, not if, for I believe it is a must-read! - you will be gifted Rachel’s very self as you read, you will be invited to love not only Rachel, but all of those who have experienced othering, and you will be challenged to respond. This is a book that will change you.

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’.

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.

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.

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.

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.