The aim was to bring together Faith Communities and to start a dialogue about ending Faith based Homophobia.

We had group discussions in 4 workshops.

• Coming Out and Family Life
• General Dialogue
• Women and Transgender Experiences
• Youth and Education
• Marriage and LGBT Equality
• Older LGBT Experience and Needs.

I attended workshops on “Youth and Education “and” Coming Out and Family Life”. During the latter workshop I shared with the group the damaging effects of faith based homophobia within my own family. Some members in the workshop also shared harrowing stories of rejection by their parents when they took the courageous step of “coming out “. Others shared their experiences of hope as they themselves had experienced changing attitudes amongst family members and friends.

I think that education is a vital tool in tackling homophobia and believe that if young people are encouraged from an early age to value differences, then homophobic bullying within schools will not be accepted. I attended the Youth and Education workshop so I could have a better understanding of the Government’s commitment on the Equalities Bill.

Written by Joanne Manson