It couldn’t continue; I had become unhealthily
obsessed with death, believing it would be
my only release, and struggled with suicidal
ideation for 2 years. At my worst point, a
fellow priest found out I was gay, and began
spreading rumours about me around the
community and church, and eventually got me
kicked out of the parish.
Thankfully, whether by coincidence or divine
intervention, I was given the opportunity
to come to the UK and, for the first time, I
met Christians who were LGBT affirming. I
embraced again the message of acceptance and
inclusion that brought me to faith.
At last I was practising my faith with integrity
as a gay man; bringing all of me my gifts
and talents to my role, and the change was
profound. I believe that God’s gifts are given
to all, for all, and all of us are created equal,
are equally loved, and we each have something
special to bring to the body as a whole.
I finally allowed myself to believe in the
potential for love and in 2008 I met Mike and
we started dating. He proposed in a hot air
balloon over Marrakech in 2011, and in 2012
we entered into our Civil Partnership.
Since moving to the UK I have become
increasingly involved in LGBT+ advocacy in
society and the Church, was a vocal supporter
of the Equal Marriage campaign (and pray
to see this in our churches someday). The
number of LGBT people, groups and allies
in our churches is growing. They’re working
hard for full equality, and doing some good
solid theology to support this work. The more
we make people aware of the inclusive voices
in our churches, the louder the message of
inclusion becomes.
I’ll end this article with a tiny selection of the
organisations, but there are others … Baptist,
Jewish, Muslim, Evangelical and Catholic
groups … the list is long. Take a look at them,
sign up for updates, look for us under the
banner of “Christians at Pride” at the next
Pride march you’re at and get involved if you
can.
Bless you all!”
Revd. Andy Marshall
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