by Jayne Ozanne, Director of the Ozanne Foundation, Chair of the Ban Conversion Therapy Coalition and Editor of ViaMedia.News
This week saw the publication of the 2021 LGBT+ Christians Safeguarding Survey Report, which has shone a bright spotlight on the cost many of us LGBT+ Christians are paying for being caught in the crossfire of the “debates” over our future.
The results are very disturbing – with only a third (36.9%) of the LGBT+ Christians surveyed feeling safe enough ‘to be out to everyone’ in their local church. Perhaps even more worryingly is that over one in six (17.4%) said that “church” was a place where they used to be able to be out, but now no longer feel safe enough to be so. We appear to be regressing.
The fact that over three quarters (75.3%) chose the indicator ‘I’m not worried about what might be said in the sermon’ to show that they could feel safe to be themselves in their local church should be a wakeup call to church leaders about the hidden toll that this is all taking.
The question is, will it?
For years LGBT+ people have spoken out about the trauma and pain that they have endured, just for being “different” to the perceived heterosexual cis-gendered ‘norm’. Many from across the medical professions have added their voices too, clearly highlighting the psychological damage being done to those trying to reconcile their faith with their sexuality and/or gender identity. Then has come a raft of evidence about the evils of so-called ‘conversion therapy’, including harrowing testimonies from survivors.
Has it made any difference?
I must admit that one of the things that has shocked me most in these recent years of speaking out about the harm inflicted on LGBT+ people has been the callousness of the response from those hell-bent on continuing with this spiritual abuse.
They know, but they just do not care.
And it is that cold indifference and lack of pastoral concern that proves to me, beyond any shadow of a doubt, just how un-Christian their dogmatic stance is. They may think that they are ‘standing firm for the Gospel’, but the fruit of their teaching is so rotten and bad that it gives off a stench that few wish to be associated with (and those that do just hold their noses and try to put up with it!).
This was brought home to me in my recent interview with Peter Lynas for Justin Brierley’s show on Premier Radio, Unbelievable. Time and time again I confronted him with the harm that the Evangelical Alliance was inflicting on LGBT+ people through their promotion of the ironically named ‘Biblical and Pastoral Responses to Homosexuality’ – the ten ‘affirmations’ that set out how church leaders should treat LGBT+ people and their allies in their congregations. Time and time again he deflected, obfuscated and refused to engage with the evidence. It didn’t go unnoticed.
There is nothing loving about ignoring the cries of people you are harming.
There is nothing loving about turning your back on those who are asking for help.
There is nothing loving about doggedly pursuing a course of action that is clearly abusive.
The most upsetting thing is that few in positions of power, who have the ability and indeed the duty to safeguard against this abuse, choose to use their position of power to intervene. Most stay silent.
Why? Because they just see LGBT+ people as collateral damage.
For some reason – which has nothing to do with Christianity and everything to do with fear – they just don’t appear to care. And it is that which makes me so angry – and I believe makes Jesus really angry too.
Jesus always dealt with the real-life situation of the person in front of him. He always responded with love and compassion, whilst the religious leaders around him stuck to ideologies and principles. He called them on it. He chastised them for it. He was crucified because of it.
Not much has changed, sadly.
The only thing we do know, is that they will be judged because of it. One day.
In the meantime, I know that God is watching and waiting to see who will protect His sheep from harm. Fortunately, there are many wonderful Samaritans, even if many of the religious leaders walk right on by. They at least want to help heal and protect the wounded.
So what can be done?
Well the first step is to break the silence, gather the evidence and call out the abuse – which is why we did the survey and why I eventually agreed to do the interview with Peter. The second is to take that evidence to people who have both the pastoral heart and the positions of power to do something about it.
Watch this space…it’s coming!
Any thoughts?