Service held in church to mark LGBT+ History Month
A church service has been held in Hinckley to mark LGBT+ History Month.
It took place at the Unitarian Hinckley Great Meeting Chapel and was led by its Minister, Reverend Robin Hanford.
The event included two specially invited speakers; Dan Hope, Chair of Hinckley Pride and Mathew Hulbert, from the True Colours Hinckley and Bosworth LGBT+ Events Partnership.
The Hinckley Pride Rainbow Singers also performed a moving version of REM’s ‘Everybody Hurts.’
LGBT+ History Month has been an annual occasion since 2005 and sees events held across the country.
It was created, by Paul Patrick and Professor Emeritus Sue Sanders.
The theme of the month this year was Medicine:Under the Scope and celebrated LGBT+ peoples’ contribution to the field of medicine and healthcare both historically and today.
Mathew said: “It was a joy to be part of this very special service, marking LGBT+ History Month.
“Many thanks to Reverend Robin for inviting me to speak and for leading such a wonderfully inclusive church. It was wonderful to hear Dan
talk about Hinckley Pride and why everyone being their true and full self is so important.
“And the Rainbow Singers gave a truly stirring performance of one of my time favourite songs.
“We’ve come so far in the fight for full equality, but still have so far to go; especially in the rights, dignity, and equality of all Trans and non-binary individuals.”
Reverend Robin said: “Leading the LGBT+ History Month service at HInckley Unitarians is such a privilege.
“While it was essential to reflect on the complex relationship between medicine and the LGBT+ community, it was also vital that I drew attention to the suffering that Trans people are experiencing at the hands of sections of the media and political establishment.
“Jesus was against such scapegoating two thousand years ago, and we are called to oppose such oppression today.”