LAMBETH CONFERENCE 2008

African LGBT Anglicans appeal to Bishops and Archbishops

Tuesday, 29 July 2008

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Anglicans were among those Africans from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe who witnessed to their experience at the Lambeth Conference on Tuesday in the presence of 7 bishops among the audience of over 70.

They said that at home they live lonely lives under constant fear of discovery and the threat of violence.

Davis MacIyalla said that Muslims in northern Nigeria treat homosexuals living there better than Christians do in the southern part of the country. He blamed Archbishop Peter Akinola for inciting violence toward homosexuals in general and himself in particular.

Flavia, a lesbian woman from Uganda, said “Some of us have been raped.” She said this form of violence was often described as ‘curative rape’ and condoned.

Panellists from Kenya and Uganda said that homosexuals were often fired from their jobs when they were discovered. Recently in Kenya and Uganda a number of gays and lesbians were ‘outed’ in the local press. They had to deny their sexuality in order to retain their jobs.

The members of Changing Attitude Nigeria and Integrity Uganda issued a statement at the conclusion of the event:

We appeal to all Bishops and Archbishops in the Anglican Communion:

To listen to their people - to the stories and testimonies of all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender men and women.

To allow them to live authentic lives and be who they truly are. To bring them in and welcome them from isolation, from the margins and from loneliness. To allow them to participate and serve the Lord within their churches as much as they are able.

These men and women are not strangers in the church. They are in your families, in your communities and in your churches.

Seven bishops, spouses and the media crowded into Keynes Lectture Theatre 1 to hear the testimony of LGBT Anglicans

Davis Mac-Iyalla addressing the 70 people who crowded into Keynes Lecture Theatre 2

Davis Mac-Iyalla addressing the meeting

Kizza, a gay Ugandan living in London

Mia Nikasimo, a lesbian transgender Nigerian addressing the meeting

Dean Rowan Smith and Ijeoma Ajibade

Dean Rowan Smith concluding the meeting

Telephone 01380 724908
E-mail office@changingattitude.org

This page was last updated on Monday, 18 August 2008