On August 6th 2010, Liverpool will play host to a very special interfaith event as an opener to the city’s eagerly awaited LGBT Pride festival.
July 28, 2010
One of the key principles of Liverpool Pride is to be inclusive, which means including LGBT people of all faiths and none. The interfaith service, to be held from 7pm at the Quaker Meeting House, School Lane, is part of a programme of events around the main festival which celebrate aspects of LGBT life and culture, with a strong Liverpool identity.
“Liverpool's history has been strongly shaped, for better or worse, by the faith of its citizens, and the history of the LGBT community is marked by the influence of faith communities on society” says Warren Hartley, co-ordinator of Liverpool Spectrum of Spirituality, a new network of LGBT people of faith which is behind the ground-breaking intiative.
The name Spectrum of Spirituality was inspired by the theme of this year's Liverpool Pride: ‘The Rainbow Circus’. As well as being a symbol of LGBT pride and diversity, the rainbow is also an ancient symbol of hope in the mythology and faith of many cultures around the world.
The theme of the service is 'Unity in Diversity', chosen to reflect that just as white light is made from all the colours of the rainbow, so people of diverse sexuality, gender identity, faith and culture can come together as one to promote equality.
“It is both enlightened and empowering of Liverpool Pride to support an LGBT interfaith event to herald this important festival. It recognises that, in spite of the prejudice LGBT people experience from some members of religious organisations, some LGBT people are able to stand firm in their faith and not be bound by dogma that would exclude them.” He adds.
Warren is co-ordinating a diverse group, including Buddhists, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Pagans, Quakers and Unitarians, who are all working together in a spirit of cooperation to make sure that as many people as possible are involved in Liverpool Pride’s first ever LGBT interfaith event.
“We believe that this event is vital if Liverpool Pride is to succeed in engaging, involving and empowering members of the LGBT communities in Liverpool; and fostering greater knowledge, understanding and acceptance of LGBT communities by the wider population of the city,” Warren adds.
“We understand that many LGBT people are suspicious of or hostile to faith groups because of the judgement and rejection they may have experienced or heard about. Our experience shows it is possible to have a healthy and integrated sexuality, gender identity and spirituality. We aim to showcase communities that welcome LGBT people by creating safe, positive,inclusive spaces to explore and experience faith.”
Liverpool Spectrum of Spirituality is developing as a network of LGBT people of faith and the groups which support them. It is hoped that the interfaith service will become an annual event, integral to the strong Liverpool identity of the city's official Pride festival, and that the cooperation it has created may make other LGBT interfaith events possible in future.
Unity in Diversity – An interfaith celebration for Liverpool Pride 2010, hosted by Liverpool Spectrum of Spirituality. Friday 6th August from 7pm. Quaker Meeting House, 22 School Lane, Liverpool L1 3BT (next to Bluecoat Chambers), a fully accessible and alcohol free venue. The service will be followed by a vegetarian buffet at 8pm.
For further details or to volunteer please contact Warren Hartley by emailing:liverpoolspectrum@yahoo.co.uk or call 07780 568 754 and leave a message.
To find out more about what's on offer at Liverpool Pride 2010 visit: www.liverpoolpride.co.uk
