Back to the start?
I’ve known I was gay since a teenager and I’ve trusted and loved Christ, wishing to live guided by the Light for as long as I can remember. I discovered Quakerism as a spiritual refugee from the lands of despair and crises of faith that come from being both gay and Christian.
I was welcomed with open arms.
I remember asking one of our elders after my first Meeting for Worship about the Meeting’s attitude towards queer people. Despite the large ‘PEACE’ pride flag in the window, I’d been misled before. They smiled and said I could belong here, serve here, I could even be married here as an equal to any other before God and before the Meeting.
My cup runneth over.
But now, I’m increasingly disheartened by the growing dialogue around the rights and acceptance of transgender individuals. While I’m accepted now in the Religious Society, I know it wasn’t always so. Despite our pretence that a reluctance among some particular Friends around gay marriage didn’t exist – it did. Many spoke to these Friends, they opened dialogue but refused to compromise on the existence of gay people and their right to live openly and walk in the Light that guides them.
Why then, are we back at the start? Must we argue on every letter in LGBTQ+, judging which is acceptable? I’m a woman, queer, I’ve experienced abuse. Without the loving support of my trans Friends, I wouldn’t be a Quaker, certainly not an active one, a broken but supported one and, most of all, a deeply loved one.
Walk in the Light, Friends of all colours of the rainbow, live your Truth with our strength behind you.
Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love – but the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13).
Skye Dutton
BYM structures
I have become increasingly frustrated – no, angry – about the letters criticising the current management of Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM).
Writing as a former BYM trustee, I can only say I found – and find – the quality of our staff and the way they manage our business, to be highly professional and helpful.
I had hoped the letter from Beth Allen (7 February) might have answered criticisms, but apparently not. We had a saying at work (where I was a jolly good manager) about ‘men not inhibited by knowledge’. Perhaps we could insert ‘Friends’ instead of men?
I also hope that the majority of Friends will continue their solid financial support of the Society, as we are in our Area Meeting
Nick Francis
