OneBodyOneFaith

OneBodyOneFaith, formerly the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM), describes itself as "UK-based international Charity which challenges homophobia and transphobia, especially within the Church and faith based organisations".^[1]

History

The Gay Christian Movement was founded in April 1976. (less than 10 years after homosexuality was decriminalised in England – but 4 years before similar changes in Scotland) at a public meeting at the Sir John Cass School in the City of London. In 1977, local chapters were organised, followed in 1978 by the Women's Group, the Evangelical Fellowship in 1979 and Young Lesbian and Gay Christians in 2000. The name was changed to the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement in 1987. The first General Secretary of the Movement was Jim Cotter, followed by Richard Kirker.

The Movement was based initially in the tower of St Botolph's Church, Aldgate; however, in 1989, after a legal challenge by the Archdeacon of London, the Church Council was compelled to evict LGCM, and Oxford House, a settlement project in Bethnal Green, took them in and provided a home for the next 25 years. In 2015 the trustees took the decision to move out of London and relocate LGCM to a new home in Nottinghamshire. On 14 February 2017 LGCM and Changing Attitude England become OneBodyOneFaith, united to campaign together for the changes that we need to see for LGBTI+ people to fully embraced and for their gifts and contributions to the life and mission of the church in England to be fully realised.

Present day

In 2021, OneBodyOneFaith welcomed Accepting Evangelicals into the ministry and growing work the charity.

The current chief executive is Luke Dowding. The current Co-Chairs are Rev Jarel Robinson-Brown and Rev Mark Rowland.

Recent landmark events and programmes include: the development of Space to Be, an online initiative during the pandemic, the sponsorship of the Creating Sanctuary resource, the first UK national memorial event for harm and the loss of LGBT+ life to suicide in Christian contexts, the support of denominations and traditions as they discern conversations regarding LGBT+ inclusion (including ordination and marriage), international symposiums exploring leadership, coordinating efforts to challenge systemic homophobia and transphobia in the church and wider society, and regular materials and resources for members and supporters.