# LLMs-Full.txt - Full Content for Project Pages # Generated on: 2026-02-11T19:14:22.123Z # Total pages: 28 --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/home ### Title: Home ### Page ID: 3228117 ### Content: # Amplify Queer Faith ## **About** ## Qu**eer &** **ally** **Faces and Stories of Faith** ### 'Rainbow Warrior' ### 'Faith Without Borders' ### 'Justice & Love' ### 'A Life of Unlearning' ### 'Sacred Symphony' ### 'Unity in Diversity' ### 'Truly Catholic Truly Supportive' ### 'Touching the Earth' ### 'Sharing Light' ### 'Rainbow Kavanah' ### 'Holy Fluidity' ### 'Growing the Beloved Community' ## Auspiced by  ## Supporter ## Contact Us We acknowledge the enduring sovereignty of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and South Sea Islander lands seas, knowledge, kinship systems, and community wisdom, in these lands we now call Australia. We bear witness to their wisdom, knowledge, diversity and resilience. We honour the Elders past, present, and emerging. This is, was, and always will be Aboriginal land. We particularly acknowledge the Gadigal, Cammeraygal, Bidjigal, Darug, Dharawal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Sydney Basin. ***Amplify Queer Faith*** features LGBTIQA+ and ally people who come from many faiths, spirituality and cultural backgrounds including Aboriginal, Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, etc. The exhibition is a pilot campaign project celebrating the resilience and flourishing of LGBTIQA+ people and communities of faith and spirituality who despite prejudice, persecution, violence and discrimination are shining their light for a better world. ***#AmplifyQueerFaith***  ***#QueerFacesOfFaith***  ***#QueerAllyFacesOfFaith*** The portrait exhibition will feature former High Court Judge **Michael Kirby**; Yorta Yorta elder, Composer and Soprano **Deborah Cheetham** with her spouse trailblazing Conductor **Nicolette Fraillon**; Catholic Congregational Leader of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan - Sister **Patty Fawkner; Sydney Queer Muslims**, long time leader of the Jewish LGBTIQA+ community **Kim Gotlieb**; Broadcaster, 78er and Cancer Survivor **Julie McCrossin.** Corresponding to an actual physical exhibition is this online exhibition which provides a more in-depth exploration of the portrait subjects. Other LGBTIQA+ people of faith and allies are also invited to share their own portraits and stories of faith and spirituality as part of this community exhibition. This pilot project is auspiced by ***GIIN*** *(GLBTIQ+ Interfaith & Intercultural Network)* and ***Equal Voices*.** The **Amplify Queer Faith** physical portrait exhibition will be soft-launched and open at Pitt Street Uniting Church at 264 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW and open for visitors during the Sydney Mardi Gras and World Pride festival season (17 February - 5 March 2023, 10am-2pm daily), the exhibition will officially conclude on the 31 March 2023 before going on tour. Pitt Street Uniting Church will be hosting a series of events during the 45th Sydney Mardi Gras and World Pride festival, and if you wish to meet some of the people in the exhibition, do come by and say hello. Pitt Street Uniting Church will be the Faith@WorldPride Hub supported by by the [*Queer Christian Roundtable*](www,worldpridefaith.com.au/) which brings together 14 LGBTIQA+ affirming churches, organizations and networks. The historical Christian church has been an interfaith hub, a sacred space, and a gathering place for social justice and human rights public advocacy is centrally located in the heart of City of Sydney (5 minutes walk from Sydney Town Hall). We invite LGBTIQA+ and ally religious and spiritual folks who affirm this project to contact us to share your own portraits and stories of faith and spirituality, which will be featured on this page as well! Share your encouragements, inspirations and affirmations with this project by contacting us too! LGBTIQA+ people of faith have always existed in our communities. Many of the pioneers of LGBTIQA+ civil rights and human rights are people of faith. Come journey with us through this Gallery as we learn what's their stories and how their faith and LGBTIQA+ realities enrich our world! If you interested in sharing your story and portrait, please contact us here. We're also happy to hear from you if you'd like to give us some encouragement and feedback or tell us about your experience of this exhibition: - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/reset-password-page ### Title: Reset password page ### Page ID: 3228122 ### Content: Reset Password Reset Password --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/portraits ### Title: Portraits ### Page ID: 3228123 ### Content: ### 'Rainbow Warrior' ### 'Faith Without Borders' ### 'Justice & Love' ### 'A Life of Unlearning' ### 'Sacred Symphony' ### 'Unity in Diversity' ### 'Truly Catholic Truly Supportive' ### 'Touching the Earth ### 'Sharing Light' ### 'Rainbow Kavanah' ### 'Holy Fluidity' ### 'Growing the Beloved Community' - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/why ### Title: Why? ### Page ID: 3228124 ### Content: ## *Why* Amplify Queer Faith? LGBTIQA+ peoples have always been a part of every faith, religious and spiritual communities. This exhibition with the feature subjects, brings together many faith and cultural backgrounds – including Aboriginal, Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim. It is a way of us amplifying the often hidden voices and faces of LGBTIQA+ people of faith and spirituality that are such a crucial part of our total human story. Serving as a pilot campaign project, this exhibition celebrates the resilience and flourishing of LGBTIQA+ people and communities of faith and spirituality, and their allies, who despite prejudice, persecution, violence and discrimination are shining their light for a better world. These portraits and stories of faith serve as a prophetic witness to LGBTIQA+ people of faith’s commitment to a better world, where every life is dignified, valued, honoured and celebrated. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/meredith ### Title: Meredith ### Page ID: 3228125 ### Content: ## **Rainbow Warrior** Decades of involvement in activism for justice, equity and equality have only added colour and glow to Meredith’s presence and personality. Having experienced and witnessed firsthand the suffering that LGBTIQA+ people of faith have undergone in the past 5 decades, Meredith’s optimism, humour and playfulness dance side by side with her perceptiveness, sensitivity, resoluteness and attention for the minoritized, the marginalised and the earth that is crying for justice. Meredith stands against a mandarin yellow background wearing a black 78ers’ ‘The First Mardi Gras’ T-Shirt that has words and pink triangles. She wears a biker’s helmet adorned sequins and vest both designed in the hue of the pride rainbow, and has rainbow coloured biker’s fingerless gloves and has a pair of rainbow triangle earrings dangling from her earlobes  “I am a theologically progressive Christian who is a member of both Pitt Street Uniting Church (since 1984) and Metropolitan Community Church, Sydney (since 1976). My faith sustains me through my conviction that God is absolute love and loves me fully and unconditionally. I take confidence in the Christian scripture that states that nothing can separate us from the love of God revealed to us in Christ Jesus (Epistle to the Romans 8:38). The main way that I experience this love is through being part of inclusive and loving community. The teachings of Jesus Christ inform my ethical and moral vision in that it compels me to treat Earth and all her creatures with kindness, justice and mercy.” “An important part of my spiritual practice is to attend a weekly church service. I lead a very busy life working full-time and I am actively involved in a number of community groups and choirs. Sunday morning is my opportunity to stop and consciously focus on my faith and that which gives my life deeper meaning. The service prepares me for the week ahead. It is good to be amongst people with whom I have a deep connection and who know and love me as I do them.  My two congregations are like family to me. It is also good to be amongst people who have a similar understanding of faith and life and who seek to live lives which are open and expansive; committed to social justice and the greater good. I also love singing the hymns and songs which I commonly find to be a deeply meaningful and joyful experience. Singing is an important part of my faith expression and there are hymns which are integral to my faith journey such as Here I am Lord and Come as You Are (that’s how I love you). Times of silence and prayer during the service (and as part of my daily routine) draw me into the present moment, quietening my overactive, self-critical and constant ruminating mind which is essential to my physical and emotional well-being. “ “A vital part of my spirituality is environmental activism. I have participated in protests, and other actions with *Extinction Rebellion* and with *Ecopella* environmental choir with which I sing. My Christian beliefs compel me to take an active stance because humanity is called to care for the earth, not to exploit it. We need to protect it for future generations of all of Earth’s inhabitants. Jesus called religious and political leaders to account. He stood up against the powers that caused oppression and destruction. I can imagine Jesus doing that today in our context of climate crisis.” “Homosexuality has been a deeply contentious issue to most Christian denominations including the Uniting Church in Australia of which I have been a member since its inception in 1977. However, the UCA has been willing to engage with the topic which has been a long, and at times, arduous process.  I was a member of the first Assembly UCA committee which was charged with undertaking a comprehensive study into the nature of homosexuality specifically in relation to biblical, theological, pastoral, physiological, psychological and legal perspectives. The report Homosexuality and the Church was published in 1985. The report called for responses from UCA members. The committee had to read and summarise the letters received and these were released in a second report called Responses to Homosexuality and the Church. As a young lesbian in my mid-twenties, I found reading the responses jarring because the majority were homophobic, many vitriolic. Those responses were a reflection of the prevailing views in the broader society. LGBTIQA+ people were treated as pariahs, especially gay men as it was at the height of the HIV/Aids epidemic and the general community predominantly blamed the gay community for its contagion overwhelmingly regarding it as the gay plague. Fast forward 38 years and the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) has come a long way in respect to the acceptance and inclusion of queer people (as of course, has secular society). It has been a costly process for many in the UCA. In the 1980s, Pitt Street Uniting Church was one of the only congregations that was open and affirming and we too paid the price especially our minister at the time, Rev Dorothy McMahon (later, Rev Dr Dorothy McRae McMahon). Today, many more congregations are open and affirming. Congregations are now free to employ queer ministers and we are greatly enriched by their gifts. Since marriage equality was passed into Australian law in 2017, Uniting Church ministers have been allowed to perform marriage ceremonies for same sex couples.” “A recent example of how Uniting Church congregations are evolving came when an LGBTIQA+ community arts organisation required a performance space in February 2023. A Uniting Church congregation, which had a history of being ultra-conservative, reached out and offered its church for the concert, free of charge. In his email to the music director, the minister said that the congregation was eager to offer the space. He said that the congregation acknowledged that they hadn't treated the LGBTIQA+ community well in the past but were now determined to do so.   I am proud of the Uniting Church for its willingness to grapple with the hard questions and to make positive and meaningful change. In its ongoing commitment to issues of social justice, including sexuality and gender, the Uniting Church continues to faithfully live out the call of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sadly, no institution in the Western world has been as damaging to LGBTIQA+ people as formalised Christianity. There are elements within the Christian church which continue this harmful persecution and oppression. However, fortunately today, there are many Christians who fully and unconditionally accept LGBTIQA+ people.  The Uniting Church has made significant positive strides in this respect. I would like to see the Uniting Church advance justice for LGBTIQA+ people by openly denouncing discrimination and persecution of LGBTIQA+ people wherever it exists, both nationally and internationally. On a national level this would include highlighting problems with proposed anti-religious bills that would likely result in the discrimination of LGBTIQA+ people and denouncing conversion therapy, discrimination against staff in church schools and instances where those with a public profile make inflammatory statements about LGBTIQA+ people. The church also has a role to play in educating its members about LGBTIQA+ issues and fostering the building of relationships.” “On an international level, advancing justice for LGBTIQA+ people would probably best be done by supporting organisations that work to change the draconian laws of those countries that persecute LGBTIQA+ people.” - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/pennyjo ### Title: Penny & Jo ### Page ID: 3228126 ### Content: ## **Faith Without Borders** **Revd Penny Jones** (she, her) and **Revd Dr Josephine Inkpin** (she, her)  *Christians – Anglicans; Pansexual and Transgender & Cisgender; Priests, Uniting Church Ministers, Wives, Grand/Parent, Theology Lecturers, Activists, Dancers, Spiritual Directors* **Curatorial:** *Transcending the divides of different Christian traditions, Penny and Josephine, as a married couple and as ordained priests, have committed their lives to ministry, building bridges of understanding between churches and peoples through their vocations. Their love for one another through their marriage is in itself a testimony to love and commitment beyond the limitations of gender and sexuality.* **Image description:** *Penny and Josephine holding hands held as a couple whilst their other hands swing outward in a rejoiceful pose against a hot pink backdrop. Robed in their ministerial white Alb vestment, Penny has a stole with the rainbow pride colours and Josephine has a stole with the blue-* “Experiencing sacredness in and beyond ourselves has enabled us not only to survive in a world which has denied us but to be empowered to help liberate ourselves and others. At the heart of our faith is an eternal Love which sides with the marginalised and continually queers every attempt to restrict life and understanding. In the best of our traditions, ultimate beauty, truth and mystery can be encountered everywhere in creation. Knowing that ‘matter matters’ thus helps us treat the world gently and each person as an icon of Christ, utterly loved and capable of extraordinary loving transformation.” “ We find depth of peace, connection, and renewing energy in contemporary forms of ancient Christian contemplative practices, including meditative and body prayer, lectio and visio divina. These helps provide balance and integration of the many dimensions of our lives and world and open us to new possibilities of embodying love in ourselves and with others. Sharing in the Christian sacraments, and in life-giving scriptural and other spiritual words, grounds us in the embodied presence of divinity among us and energises us to walk together in the subversive Way of Jesus.” “ Life-giving spirituality is deeply trans: full of stories of trans-formation, trans-gression, and trans-figuration. This, not narrow tribal religious forms and ideologies, is at the heart of all the world’s great wisdom traditions and still provides hope and healing for all who would embrace it, under whatever name or none. Lovingly entered into, for us the stories and lived experience of Jesus Christ embodies this: transforming the powers of pain and death, transgressing the boundaries which hold our world captive, and offering transfiguring inspiration.” “It is time for Christianity to claim its queerness fully, in word, deed, and sacrament. We rejoice at the continuing emergence of LGBTIQA+ people of faith in every tradition, and the important steps taken, not least in parts of the worldwide Anglican Communion and in the Uniting Church in which we now serve. However, even in such faith spaces, we long for a true embrace of the wonderful abundance of queer gifts and vitality. Inclusion is not enough. Full dignity, celebration, empowerment and agency for all LGBTIQA people everywhere is a divine and urgent imperative.” - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/michael ### Title: Michael ### Page ID: 3228127 ### Content: ## **Justice and Love** **The Honourable Michael Donald Kirby AC CMG** (he, him)  *Christian – Anglican; Gay; International Jurist and former Judge of the High Court of Australia, Academic, Human Rights Medal laureate, Australian National Living Treasure*  Ensuring that there is justice before the law has been Michael’s lifelong vocation as a jurist and as an educator. Cornel West famously said that “Justice is what love looks like in public.” It is clear to many that love is the foundation of his vocation. His dedication to the law, his faith, and his abiding and loving relationship with his spouse Johann van Vloten of 54 years has been a blessing for his loved ones, our community, country and world.  A smiling Michael stands against an ulster orange backdrop. He is dressed in a charcoal coloured business suit with an orange coloured tie flanked by a rainbow lanyard. On his suit is a lapel pin that identifies him as a *Companion of the Order of Australia*, and on his ring finger is his wedding band. Both his hands hang in balance with the right hand holding up his Judge’s wig and his left hand holding in balance an opened *Book of Common Prayer*.  “I was brought up in the Sydney Diocese of the Church of England (now Anglican Church of Australia). I sang in the local church choir. I loved the Book of Common Prayer and liturgy. Although I was later defined that the church in Sydney was rather hostile against LGBTIQ people, including parishioners. But I still remain and adherence to the simplicities of the Protestant Christian tradition.” “The features that continue to attract me to the Anglican tradition are that it is the only branch of the major traditions of Christianity in the world that has consecrated gay bishops; welcomed female bishops; ordained openly gay priests; and open to dialogue about the relationship between Christianity and LGBTIQ people.” “The most powerful story in my religious upbringing was that of Jesus and his crucifixion. His message of love and reconciliation is a good message for all people, religious or not religious. My partner Johan is not religious. However, I retain a link to my birth family's tradition.” “The Starting Point for improving the position of LGBTIQ, women, and other minorities in the Christian churches is to embrace the science about the varieties of sexual orientation and gender identity. Ultimately that will happen. But it is taking an awful long time!” - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/anthony ### Title: Anthony ### Page ID: 3228128 ### Content: ## **A Life of Unlearning** The book ‘A life of unlearning’ authored by Anthony is in its 3rd edition print and remains a powerful story for many, especially those who have come from a Pentecostal, Charismatic and Evangelical part of the Christian tradition. In sharing his story and life journey of unlearning, Anthony has helped others to move towards integrity and passion – a life lived with purpose and meaning.  "*In a former like, Anthony was a popular Pentecostal preacher. His autobiography, A Life of Unlearning, now in its third edition, has helped 1000s around the world find resolution and authenticity as LGBTQ people of faith. His memoir opened the way to found Freedom2b which provided support for LGBTQ people, particularly from Pentecostal, Charismatic, and Evangelical backgrounds. Realising it was better to put fences at the top of the cliff than keep running ambulances down the bottom, Anthony founded Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International (ABBI) to reach out to churches, Christian leaders and organisations and bring them up to speed on God’s beautifully diverse creation. Anthony has devoted over 20 years of his life to end conversion "therapy" in Australia. "The end is nigh" he says."* Anthony stands against a passion red backdrop dressed in a black buttoned shirt that has a rainbow shawl over his shoulders and arms. His hands are in open clapping posture as his face is lit up, expressing something joyful.  “My spirituality is values based. Three of my top values are integrity, purpose, and passion. These are my guiding lights. My integrity was hard fought and won. It is my rock and foundation. I feel very blessed to live constantly with a sense of purpose and meaning. Every day I wake knowing that what I do is going to make a difference in someone’s life. I can’t imagine living without purpose. The passion to make a difference empowers and energises me daily. Congruence with my values creates harmony and peace. My life is rich, and I feel incredibly blessed.” “As a Pentecostal preacher I used to feel like I had all the answers. I would never have said that publicly, but subconsciously I believed all answers were found in the Bible. How arrogant. Today I live in the great mystery of the Divine; a place of not knowing or needing to know. I’d rather have questions that can’t be answered than answers that can’t be questioned.  “I look back at my many years as a Pentecostal with fondness these days. I’ve made peace with my past. I still have a dream that one day Australian Pentecostals will not just say we welcome and accept LGBTQ people, but will AFFIRM them. The welcome and accept is usually conditional and has a ‘but’ after it. True AFFIRMATION has a full stop. I’ve seen the affirmation happen in a few Pentecostal churches already and I’m reminded of (Book of) **Zechariah 4:10** “Despise not the day of small beginnings.” “The interaction between the church and the LGBTQ community has mostly been adversarial. It’s them vs us. That approach only reinforces each other’s entrenched positions and is often reduced to the level of infantile name calling. The enemy is not individuals, churches, conversion ‘therapy’, organisations or political parties; the enemy is ignorance. Change is created by focusing our energies on transforming the latter instead of attacking the former. I founded *Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International* (ABBI) to do just that; create change by reaching out and initiating respectful dialogues.” - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/deborahnicolette ### Title: Deborah & Nicolette ### Page ID: 3228129 ### Content: ## ***'Sacred Symphony'*** **Professor Deborah Cheetham Fraillon** **AO FAHA** (she, her)  *Yorta Yorta - Traditional Cultural Source; Lesbian; Composer, Soprano, Artistic Director, model train collector* *Spiritual; lover, Conductor, Music Director, Mother, Mentor, Agitator, Humanist, Organiser Extraordinaire, Educator, Ironer. “I found the love of my life in the woman I just married (January 2023 - Nicolette)”.* To be able to capture the portraits of this couple who are clearly deeply in love with one another on the eve of their marriage was a blessing and privilege. Their deep spirituality expressed through their lifelong work and craft in the creating of music and beauty with and for our world has now woven together through their union. Deborah’s strength and compassion as a survivor from the *Stolen Generation* intermingles with Nicolette’s courage and passion as a trailblazing woman orchestra conductor of international stature. Their stories of resilience, flourishing and generous giving of themselves through the arts stands as a monument to the immense generosity of LGBTIQA+ people’s contribution to the arts - that nourishes the spirit and consciences of all peoples, regardless of their backgrounds. Against a sky blue backdrop, Deborah stands on the front in a black couture outfit whilst Nicolette caresses her from the back as her arms drape over Deborah’s shoulders on the right and arms on the left as as their hands clasps together on Deborah’s chest, hugging. Nicolette is dressed in a flowing red couture dress as her eyes are closed in an expression of smiling contentment, as their faces are touching side by side whilst Deborah smiles in the same way in excitement with her eyes fixed on the camera. Their hands clasp together whilst their ring fingers clearly showing their wedding engagement rings that carries a shining rock.   “My belief is that there is enough for everyone and that everyone should have enough.” “Music is the means by which I connect to the source of all life. Deep listening brings me into the presence of my ancestors and helps me to better understand my purpose.” “When I was 15 years of age, I visited the south coast of NSW - the area around Narooma and Bermagui known as the beautiful sapphire coast. I was mesmerised by the sparkling blue of the ocean and the sky, the coastline stretching on for miles and miles. When I returned home from that journey I was visited by a recurring dream. Night after night the image of a mountain reaching down to the sea came to me in my dreams.  For 35 years this dream returned again and again. In 2018 I returned to the sapphire coast, this time to connect with my Grandfather's country and the people of the Yuin nation. Once more I was struck by the beauty of the ocean and the brilliant blue sky but this time, I turned my attention to the land as well and there was the mountain which had appeared to me in my dreams for so many years. Gulaga, Mother Mountain, sacred to the Yuin people. When I was 15 years old I knew very little of my Aboriginal heritage - I was a member of the stolen generations, I did not know my family. I did not know my belonging. All those years ago I did not see the mountain but the mountain saw me. Gulaga, Mother Mountain, called me home.” “I would share the experience of deep listening so that we may advance from not knowing to knowing and then even more critically take the step from knowing to understanding.” “My unswerving belief in the power of humanity to create good in this world informs everything I do, each day. The human mind is a remarkable thing and nurtured, cared for, given chances to thrive we are all capable of greatness-individually and collectively. The love for my wife, children and family, and deep connection to natural world are immutable sources of energy and sustenance but also drive me, unceasingly, to work towards an enlightened, accountable, ecologically caring and morally conscious society. I rise every morning and think to myself: Carpe the F\*ing Diem and then try to.” “Believing that all people are created equal and should be treated so, trying to embody that every day in all I do, whilst being vocal/open/public about the love for my now-wife and all that our life means- this is my practice. Assisting others, advocating on behalf of others, being fearless for and with others, is our life.” - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/sqm ### Title: SQM ### Page ID: 3228130 ### Content: ## **Unity in Diversity** **Nurul T.** (she, her) *Muslim; Lesbian; President of Sydney Queer Muslims* **Ahmed Suhaib** (he, him) *Muslim; Gay; Secretary of Sydney Queer Muslims, Activist, Engineer* **Dr Siobhan Irving** (she, her) *Muslim; Bisexual; Cisgender; Treasurer of Sydney Queer Muslims, Activist, Anthropologist* Coming from different corners of the world and vastly different cultures - Siobhan, Ahmed and Nurul exudes an aura of centredness and transcendence through their shared religious practices and commitment to Islam. It is clear that they each speak different languages and have very different life experiences, yet they share a common passion and care for the wellbeing of our world in wanting mercy and compassion for every creature and person, as well as the healing of our common home - the Earth. In their taking care of LGBTIQA+ Muslims who come through the work and community of *Sydney Queer Muslims*, they demonstrate in the most courageous and inspiring way what holiness through the practice of mercy and compassion looks like. Standing in front of a deep Islamic green background, Ahmed, Nurul and Siobhan smile and stand together. Ahmed stands off the slight recessed right side of the portrait in a maroon red kurta and scarf. In the front centre is Nurul with her hands folded, dressed in royal blue Baju Kurung with sparkling intricacies and embroidery around the collars and sleeves. In slight recessed off to the left side of Nurul, is Siobhan with two hands clasped together, in a long black Abaya dress that has intricate designs that run through the centre front of the dress from the collar down. "It gives me comfort that there is a God that I can sit in the moment with." “The rituals and practices give me the discipline to take a break from the business of life and have a spiritual moment, 5 times a day, gain an understanding and empathy for those who dont have the basic needs like food, be charitable and be Allah conscious. “ “We start every endeavour with "Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir- Rahim - In the name of God, most compassionate, most merciful" to remind us humans on the mercy and compassion of God.” “Islam is NOT homophobic nor transphobic nor xenophobic. I would like to see other Muslims to remember God is the creator of us ALL just as we are.” "My faith grounds me. It reminds me that God is the most compassionate and merciful. It gives me hope that there is always something better to come and that everything happens for a reason. It teaches me not to get hung up on little things as there is a bigger purpose for us in the world.” “My faith teaches me to look after oneself and care for the people around me. It is these values that I practise to make a better world which binds me to my religion. Allah asks his believers to show compassion and empathy to the people around. One of the principals of Islam is to give to charity. These teaching is what motivates me to look after my queer siblings. The people who have went through similar experience in life to me but have ended up in a place where they are struggling. As a collective we can make the world better by practicing compassion.” “Quran in many places talk about how we need to be grateful for everything in our life. Our health, our shelters, the food we eat, the mobility we have, our mental wellbeing, our senses that we rely on and so on. It reminds us that even little things that we take for granted are privileges that others might not have. Quran asks us to use our blessings to help others that are struggling. Any one can help and a little help goes a long way.” “To practise what the religion preaches. There is a reason why in Islam there is no hierarchy among the people. What it means to be religious/Muslim is for Allah to decide. Abandoning our LGBTIQA+ siblings is only going to push them away from the religion. Open your hearts and minds to all your siblings. You may not agree with them but you shouldn't alienate them.” “Islam teaches that all things in the universe exist in a fine balance. In that sense, the Islamic world view is similar to the spiritual teachings of my ancestors before colonialism changed their ways of life. Islam links me to this past and reminds me that spirituality means finding harmony with my surroundings regardless of where I might find myself. Morality, in this sense, simply refers to acting in ways that protect a balance that benefits everyone, both human and non-human. I've found peace and fulfilment in respecting and cherishing the natural world as well as the rich diversity of the cultural worlds I live in.” “Charity is an important Islamic practice that is close to my heart. When people think of charity, they often think of donating money or items to others in need. Islamic charity definitely encompasses and encourages this form of giving, but it also expands upon it. For Muslims, giving one's time, a kind word, or even a smile are all considered forms of charity. In my personal life, as well as in my professional life as an educator, I find this form of giving is something I can do every day that helps make the world a softer, more compassionate place.” “When I was a younger woman and new to Islam, I once arrogantly complained to an elderly religious scholar that the Qur'an was very vague and repetitive. I felt that we would have fewer theological arguments if there were simply less ambiguity to argue about. The religious scholar listened to me patiently and then taught me that the Qur'an is like a mirror that reflects the heart of whoever reads it.  If someone approaches the Qur'an with a merciful disposition, then their reading of it will in turn be full of compassion. If someone is open to guidance, then it will allow them to look within themselves and see what they need to work on. If, on the other hand, someone is not, then the Qur'an will not force them to change. The scholar explained that the onus is on us to work on ourselves.  Divine guidance cannot be contained within lines on a page, so the Qur'an is only a starting place. As the Qur'an reminds us repeatedly, in all this, truly, there are signs for people who reflect. Reflecting on those signs, by people of all faiths and none, will be what builds us a better future.” “I can't make a suggestion for all Muslims, because there is no one single community to make recommendations too. There is no single recognised religious authority within Islam, so there are only believers and communities of believers who are all on their own paths and have their own interpretations of the canonical sources of Islam. For those Muslims who are homophobic, transphobic or otherwise intolerant of gender or sexual diversity, however, I would like them to reflect on the importance of balance and harmony in Islam. I would like them to reflect on how much pain they cause with their intolerance and reflect on the repeated reminders in the Qur'an and Islamic tradition to be merciful, respect the dignity of others, and defend the oppressed.” - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/catholicfamily ### Title: Catholic Family ### Page ID: 3228131 ### Content: ## **Truly Catholic Truly Supportive** *Christian - Catholic, Cisheterosexual married couple; LGBTIQA+ ally, PFLAG Parents - Les Mico is President of PFLAG Australia* *Christian - Catholic, Heterosexual; Religious Sister and Congregational Leader of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan of the Order of Saint Benedict* *Christian - Catholic, Gay; Former Missionary, Psychologist, Justice and Peace Advocate* The reality of who and what makes a person catholic is told by this portrait featuring four very different people who have taken vowed commitments before their faith communities. A married couple with adult children, a religious sister, and an ordained priest – all of them committed to a life of faithfulness and love. Their catholicity is expressed through the way their practice of the Catholic Christian faith that affirms and includes everyone. Together, they serve as a Catholic family - gay and (mostly) straight – through their ministry and solidarity with their LGBTIQA+ siblings, sisters and brothers seeking justice and dignity within and beyond their church.  Standing in a row facing slightly to the right in the order of Sue in the front, followed by Les, then Patty and finally Claude, all gazing towards the sky and having glad, optimistic and hopeful expressions on their faces. Sue is in a white blouse and Les is in a white business shirt, both have on their left chest a rainbow and cross lapel pin on; Patty is in a white blouse and on her left chest is the lapel pin with the insignia of the Good Samaritan Sisters congregation; Claude is in a white Alb vestment with a rainbow religious stole.  “In my Catholic faith, I endeavor to offer myself to others in friendship and others by being there. To be a non-judgmental ally and support all on their life’s journey and offer simple guides from the gospel and spread the word of Christ, to find strength and faith, for myself and those in need. In this way, I develop my moral and spiritual compass and allows me to reflect on my inner-self and be grateful for the gifts of the holy spirit to guide me.” “My faith dictates who I am, my faith and spirituality guides me in my decisions and the the way I relate to others and engage them in open discussion in a non-invasive way and listen to their thoughts. I try to place my faith in the teaching of the gospel and try to walk in Jesus shoes. I challenge myself and ask, ˜What would Jesus do?” How would he move forward and who would he prefer to be with.  This allows me to grow my spirituality and reflect deeper and meditate on the gospels to find my way and make better decisions and improve my responses and behaviour to others. For me a line in a Nick Cave Song says it all "Hold His Every Loving Hand Even When You Do Not Understand" (Bless His Ever-Loving Heart).” "I imagine a church that is where all within the congregation are equal. A church that teaches love and acceptance and not be contentions and overbearing. A Church that follows Jesus’s gospel as given to the apostles, who went out to spread the good word to all that would listen. A church that does not judge, a church following Jesus’s mission to bring his word to all and being inclusive of the poor, the sick, the lonely and the outcasts. To stand up and support those who considered diverse and bring them to their table and share the good word and not keep them in darkness.” "In most churches they have openly condoned the exclusion of the LGBTIQ community from their churches and school causing many of that community to be ostracized, ridiculed and excluded from their workplace.  A change must come from within and be re-affirming and accepting of their brothers and sisters in Christ. They must throw away their non-Christ like thoughts and provide an open invitation to all not just their few. They can do this by celebrating their gifts and openly show their acceptance and recognize the value of gender diversity in a compassionate manner. We should be celebrating the Eucharist together as one in Christ.” “For me, my Christian tradition is precious beyond compare. I love my faith tradition because it is less about dogma and doctrine and more about a relationship with a God whom I believe is my Maker, Keep and Lover. The Gospel of Jesus Christ informs my ethical and moral vision. ‘Gospel’ means ‘Good News’ and the foundation of the Gospel is the vision of a new reality of peace, justice, liberation and fullness of life for all, especially for those who are suffering in any way or are on the margins of society. The Gospel imperative is to deeply respect and have reverence for all living beings.” “There is a groundedness and ‘earthiness’ about the Catholic Christian religion. We Catholics emphasise the principle of Sacramentality which means that God is present to humankind within the ordinary aspects and the everydayness of life in the world. The poet Gerard Manly Hopkins reminds us that “the world is charged with the grandeur of God.” It is a mistake to set up a false dichotomy between the spiritual and the material, between the sacred and the profane. I encounter God and God’s graces and blessings in silence, beauty, prayer and also in the dailiness of everyday life.” “The Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament are our sacred texts par excellence. They are our spiritual heritage, telling the story of God’s self-disclosure and action in history, culminating in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They also include books and letters, written after the time of Jesus, which show what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Lectio Divina is the practice of reflective reading of the Scriptures. It entails a process of going deeper into one’s own heart and to there encounter the God who speaks a word of love to us. Lectio Divina can be done alone or within a group. It entails a gentle sequence of reading a sacred text very slowly and then pausing whenever a word or phrase stands out or moves you. You then meditate slowly on this word or phrase, repeating them in your heart over and over. The next stage is to allow these words to reveal their wisdom to you deep within and to illumine the desires of your heart. You then pray to the God who reveals God’s self to you at this time, and pray that you may be able to respond to where God is inviting you.” “I am greatly blessed and proud that I am a member of a religious congregation of women that takes its name from one of Jesus’ favourite and most loved parables - that of the story of the Good Samaritan.  The Samaritan traveller went above and beyond in reaching out in compassionate care for a wounded man who was perceived as ‘other’. The man, left for dead by robbers on a lonely road between Jerusalem and Jericho, was an enemy because of his different ethnicity and religion. This story invites me and challenges me to bring compassion and mercy for all whom I encounter especially for the one who is different from me because, for example, their religion, race, gender, sexual orientation or political persuasion.” “The Christian Gospels are, I believe, ‘good news’ for LGBTIQA+ people. Jesus Christ was very comfortable with diversity and took his followers on a journey of ever-increasing inclusion, acceptance and affirmation of the one who is perceived as ‘other’ or ‘different’. Jesus opposed all forms of exclusion and violence against any person. To be truly Christian, all should reinforce this message of inclusion, acceptance and affirmation.   I would like the wording of The Catechism of the Catholic Church to be changed. The Catechism states that "homosexual acts" are "acts of grave depravity" that are "intrinsically disordered.” it continues, "They are contrary to the natural law.” This wording seems to me at odds with Jesus’ welcome of all. These words have been used to justify exclusion. They have promoted intolerance and discord and have promoted systems of oppression. I would encourage pastors and all teachers to directly teach that the Gospel demands that we welcome all people, no matter their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation etc.   I think it is important that members of the LGBTIQA+ community be affirmed and accepted into ministerial roles within Catholic agencies.” “I find that returning to Catholic Social Teaching (CST) and the Gospels as the point of departure for all my activity. In many cases CST is neglected but its fundamentals inspire me along with the teaching of Jesus to respect the dignity of each human being and live that out as much as possible with what may seem quaint- kindness to people and creation. Having said the above, it is my contact with people that I learn so much especially people who seem to be rendered voiceless or marginalised. They have much to teach me about acceptance, tolerance, expressing kindness which costs nothing but means a lot to people. This informs my daily practice as well as challenges me to be mindful.” “There are many but one in recent times was engaging with people of different denominations in Love Makes a Way where nonviolent sit-ins were conducted at offices of politicians, including prime ministers Abbot and Turnbull, to highlight the injustice perpetrated but our country towards people, especially children, in detention.  For me it meant taking a stance with the risk of conviction. This began following an incident at work where a desperate young man threatened suicide after being told to leave the country.” “I would like it to being with doing away with the silence and making known the presence of LGBTIQA+ people within the community and acknowledge their contribution to community and society. I recall some years ago when on an Archdiocesan Day for Social Justice many years ago where a number of groups gathered to share on their activities. On this occasion Acceptance (LGBT Catholic Ministry) were present and spoke first. I think that this could be done more often. I would like to see my tradition to be less fearful of engaging with LGBTIQA+ and to be seen engaging with them, listening to their stories, pains, past trauma and possible pathways to proceed. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/min ### Title: Min ### Page ID: 3228132 ### Content: ## **Touching the Earth** *Buddhist; Cisgender Gay; HIV/AIDS Public Health Advocate and Practitioner, Botanist, Spiritual Counsellor*  The ‘Tao Te Ching’ says that: 'When the student is ready the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready... The teacher will Disappear.' As the portraits were being taken, Min entered into conversation with the photographer and members of the project, and as the dialogues continued, it wasn’t clear if we were having a contemplative moment or a dharma sharing, or indeed a portrait taking session. Min’s focus was about being present, and in doing so, he focused our attention to the concerns that mattered, but at the same time, released us of our need to be overburdened by them. In this portrait of Min’s posture of ‘Earth Touching’, he enjoins us to overcome our fears and temptations. Sitting barefooted in a meditative posture of ‘Earth Touching’ where one hand rest open with palms facing upwards toward the sky whilst the other hand is pointing towards the earth, Min’s eyes (with spectacles) are wide open staring into the eyes of the viewer. He is wearing a white long sleeve shirt and khaki coloured pants against a deep green backdrop. “When we touch the earth we become small, with the humility and simplicity of a young child. When we touch the earth we become great, like an ancient tree sending her roots deep into the earth, drinking from the source of all waters. When we touch the earth, we breathe in all the strength and stability of the earth, and breathe out our suffering — our feelings of anger, hatred, fear, inadequacy, and grief. In gratitude, I bow to all generations of ancestors in my spirit and blood family. I see my ancestors, whose spirit, blood, flesh, and vitality are circulating in my own veins and nourishing every cell in me. Through them I see my loved ones, parents and grandparents. I carry in me the life, the spirit, blood, experience, wisdom, happiness, and sorrow of all generations. I open my heart, flesh, and bones to receive the energy of insight, love, and experience transmitted to me by my ancestors. I know that parents always love and support their children and grandchildren, although they are not always able to express it skillfully because of difficulties they encounter. As a continuation of all my ancestors, I allow their energy to flow through me, and ask for their support, protection, and strength. In gratitude, I bow to all generations of ancestors in my spiritual family. I see in myself my teachers, the ones who show me the way of love and understanding, the way to breathe, smile, forgive, and live deeply in the present moment. I open my heart and my body to receive the energy of understanding, loving kindness, and protection from the Awakened Ones, their teachings, and the community of practice over many generations. I vow to practice to transform the suffering in myself and the world, and to transmit their energy to future generations of practitioners. In gratitude, I bow to this land and all of the ancestors who made it available. I see that I am whole, protected, and nourished by this land and all of the living beings that have been here and made life worthwhile and possible for me through all their efforts. I see myself touching my ancestors of First Nations origin who have lived on this land for such a long time and know the ways to live in peace and harmony with nature, protecting the mountains, forests, animals, vegetation, and minerals of this land. I feel the energy of this land penetrating my body and soul, supporting and accepting me. I vow to contribute my part in transforming the violence, hatred, and delusion that still lie deep in the consciousness of this society so that future generations will have more safety, joy, and peace. I ask this land for its protection and support. In gratitude and compassion, I bow down and transmit my energy to those I love. All the energy I have received I now want to transmit to those who’ve come before me, everyone I love, and all who have suffered and worried because of me and for my sake. I want all of them to be healthy and joyful. I pray that all ancestors in my blood and spiritual families will focus their energies toward each of them, to protect and support them. I am one with those I love. In understanding and compassion, I bow down to reconcile myself with all those who have made me suffer. I open my heart and send forth my energy of love and understanding to everyone who has made me suffer, to those who have destroyed much of my life and the lives of those I love. I know now that these people have themselves undergone a lot of suffering and that their hearts are overloaded with pain, anger, and hatred. I pray that they can be transformed to experience the joy of living, so that they will not continue to make themselves and others suffer. I see their suffering and do not want to hold any feelings of hatred or anger in myself toward them. I do not want them to suffer. I channel my energy of love and understanding to them and ask all my ancestors to help them.” – Thich Nhat Hanh - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/julie ### Title: Julie ### Page ID: 3228133 ### Content: ## **Sharing Light** *Christian - Uniting Church; Lesbian; Broadcaster, MC, Wife, Nana, 78er, Cancer Survivor, Activist, Loves Dogs* Julie’s deep peace and joy shines like a bright star that cannot be extinguished. As a 78er, she carries with many LGBTIQA+ people of faith the scars and wounds of the struggle for human rights and human dignity in the experiences of oppression, abuse, violence, discrimination and exclusion. Yet, it is the Good News of hope and love that she carries for the world and for her LGBTIQA+ sisters, brothers and siblings. That it is not in spite of faith, but because of faith that she is able to be that bearer of great light, knowing that – the light she carries can kindle other flames of hope and love all around her. Julie in a short sleeved black blouse holding and carrying forward a lit rainbow coloured pillar candle, as she smiles brightly as an offering with the candle to the viewer. The background colour is mandarin yellow. “Travelling through life with the diverse mob of people who come together in the South Sydney Uniting Church community, in person and via Zoom, nurtures all that is good in my life: empathy, compassion, love, faith and fellowship. Everyone is truly welcome at our church. Parishioners actively participate and contribute to liturgy, music, song, prayer, bible reading and study, preaching, art, poetry, a community garden, a newspaper and pastoral care. Communion taken together is the mysterious heart of it all.” “Choral music in the Church of England tradition is deeply connected to my experience of contact with the divine and timeless fundamental values that existed long before my birth and will continue long after my death. At the eye of the storm there is a calm peace.  I first encountered this peace as a girl singing in traditional choral choirs and listening to the language of the Book of Common Prayer, first published in 1549, and the King James Bible, published in 1611. My introduction to the beauty of this ancient music and language was at pre-school age in my local parish and then at infants school at Kambala in eastern Sydney and at high school at SCEGGS Darlinghurst.  Each of these formative periods in my young life was associated with loving, safe, multi-generational communities of people, good friends and gifted teachers. I stay connected to this source of stability and inspiration to strive to do good by participation in the SCEGGS Darlinghurst community, which welcomes LGBTI people as students, parents, teachers and alumni, and by my membership of South Sydney Uniting Church which values beautiful music, liturgy and iconography. These two inclusive, welcoming and faith-based communities underpin my life trajectory.” “Love God and love your neighbour as yourself. This is the heart of the matter. The parable of the Good Samaritan puts the teaching into action. It translates into asking oneself, ‘What is the right thing to do?’ ‘How can I help other people?’.” “I joined the Uniting Church because many parishes and the church leadership are striving to be fully inclusive. Rainbow people can join the church, be ordained and be married. There are still individuals and parishes who do not support this full inclusivity, but I expect this will improve over time and I will do my best to encourage and nurture that complete fulfilment of “love they neighbour.” - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/kim ### Title: Kim ### Page ID: 3228134 ### Content: ## **Rainbow Kavanah** *Jewish; Cisgender Gay Man; Psychotherapist, Counsellor* Kim expresses his intention (Kavanah) for faith and spirituality in a way that makes spirituality, religion and identity accessible and relatable to people around him. His openness and authentic presence is a gift not just to his Jewish tradition and community, but also to those who genuinely wish to enter into a conversation, a dialogue about the higher things of life. This portrait of him gives us an insight to his religious practice, his abiding faith, his humour and how joy, courage and wisdom dances side by side with resilience, hope and flourishing.  In front of a sky-blue coloured backdrop, Kim wearing a yarmulke (skullcap) swirling as he puts on his Tallit (prayer shawl) that has rainbow coloured stripes on it. The portrait captures a moment akin to him putting on the Tallit through a grand gesture of a swirling dance.  “Tikkun Olam” means “Repair of the World” and is an important responsibility within the Jewish narrative, which inspires me to engage in social action initiatives like this exhibition. Jacob’s famous line, “G-d was in this place and I, I did not know it.” (Breishit/Genesis 28:16) encourages me to see a little bit of G-d in everything and everyone.” “The ‘Shema’ is a foundational prayer in the Jewish liturgy which speaks to the Unity of all Things. The ‘Amidah’ prayer, means ‘Standing’ and invites us to consider what it means to stand before the Creative Source, the Divine Presence. When I recite the Shema at night before going to sleep I am comforted to know that I am joining with Jewish people around the world, who share in this ritual. It is also an anchor which remains constant, while my emotional states can vary from day to day. Making ritual choices like going to pray early in the morning, or avoiding eating certain foods, helps to challenge my limited egoic sense of self, inviting a deeper connection with the spiritual realms.” “A teaching from the famous Rabbi Hillel states, “If not for myself, then who shall be for me. If not for others, then what am I. If not now, when?” His other famous quote is “What you find hateful in others, do not do” These provide a template from which I remind myself to do what I can to make the world as kind, compassionate and respectful as can.” "While the Progressive strand of Judaism has come along way in relation to queer inclusion, there are many aspects of gender diversity which have not found a place of comfort and support. Orthodox Judaism has limited elements of acceptance and the Ultra-Orthodox remain often antagonistic to LGBTIQA+ rights. I pray that each of us, in our own way can lean towards creating a world of care and compassion for all the diverse expressions of humanity that seek to find refuge in the comfort of religious or spiritual community.” "I appreciate the vision and effort that has made this project possible. I hope both this exhibition and whatever online platforms interface with it, will inspire people to reflect on whatever informs their values, so that the world can be a safer, more creative expression of the humanity which unites us all, regardless of our individual and unique diversity. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/steff ### Title: Steff ### Page ID: 3228135 ### Content: ## **Holy Fluidity** *Christian; Queer, Trans, Genderqueer; Pastor, writer, speaker, advocate, community builder, extrovert, beach-lover Counsellor* Through this portrait, we manage to capture a moment of vulnerability as Steff expresses the true meaning of what it means to bare one’s chest, to offer their own vulnerability as a gift for those who may still harm them or harm their LGBTIQA+ siblings. Whilst many parts of our society are overcoming their homophobia, transphobia, queerphobia and religious-phobia, it is often the LGBTIQA+ folks that pay the price for the redemption of society’s cisheterosexism and ongoing trauma caused by religion. Facing the brunt of these violences caused by minority stresses, micro and macro aggressions as well as still present prejudice, discrimination and abuse, LGBTIQA+ people of faith offer their lives, bodies, witness, resources, privacy to educate both the broader community, the religious as well as the non-religious LGBTIQA+ communities, serving themselves as bridges of understanding in liberating our communities from ignorance and prejudice. This portrait is a reminder of what sacred and prophetic love and hospitality our LGBTIQA+ siblings of faith are sharing with all peoples. Standing in front of a passion- pink backdrop, with eyes closed with facial expression of total giving and vulnerability, Steff places their two hands on the left and right sides of their chest, as the unbuttoned shirt (with large flamingo and palm leaf prints) unveils a large part of their bare chest with evidence of their top-surgery. “The way I encounter the divine presence in the world is when I experience love, health, well-being, justice, equality, community, connection, healing, life, light, authenticity, reconciliation, mutuality, kindness, generosity, peace and more. My faith is all about deep listening to the divine so I can cultivate this within myself and overflow that beauty into the world around me.” "Mindfulness is my prayer practice - the practice of learning to breathe, reflect and respond with thoughtfulness, rather than react to a hard emotion or to act out of automatic responses that might feel familiar but are not promoting health, healing, love and connection. Meeting with others in community - it is particularly in between people that I most clearly see something bigger than myself happening in the world. Our church community particularly are the people who embody divinity together, a metaphor we call ""The Body of Christ"" in the Christian tradition." “When God comes into the world in human form, God comes with the message of an alternative "kingdom" or "reign". This "kingdom" has the qualities of the eternal God, who is believed to exist in the realm of the heavens. As the divine moves through the world, Jesus confronts kingdoms, empires and governments, to establish an alternative way of organising the world that is just, compassionate and seeks the benefit of others as for ourselves. The kingdom of heaven brings the divine life of God - healing, hope, full dignity, connectedness, love - to anyone who chooses to take hold and be part of it. Jesus invites us to share that good news with the rest of the world.” “Listen. Listen. Listen to us. LGBTIQA+ people reveal diverse and beautiful aspects of God that have the power to heal the world. God confronts norms, challenges categories, and subverts the way things have always been done. LGBTIQA+ people reveal God by confronting social norms which can often restrict or harm people. The Church is hiding a divine gift under a bushel and they need to let it shine.” - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/bennam ### Title: Ben & Nam ### Page ID: 3228136 ### Content: ## **Growing the Beloved Community** *Buddhist; Gay; Cisgender; Partner, Father, Son, Doctor, Medical Educator, Board Game Fanatic* *Christian – Catholic; Queer; Parent, Community Organiser, Human Rights Defender, Educator, Pastoral Care Ministry* The love of Nam and Benjamin overflows to the lives, relationships and communities they’ve helped build and create in the world all around them, especially for LGBTIQA+ minoritised communities. Their shared vocation to making a better world is grounded in their separate yet mutually enriching religious, faith and cultural traditions harmoniously lived out in their multifaith and multicultural rainbow family – and their beloved children. Through their dedication and commitments to family and community and causes of social justice and LGBTIQA+ human rights, they have broadened the narrow definition of the patriarchal family structures and expanded that definition of membership that includes the whole human family. Nam and Benjamin are holding on to each other standing side by side as their heads turn to each other and as they intimately gaze into one another’s eyes, Nam’s right hand extend over the back of Benjamin’s waist as Benjamin’s left hand is over Nam’s left shoulder, both holding closely together. Against a royal purple backdrop, Benjamin is dressed in a black T-Shirt that carries a retro neon font rainbow coloured inscription of ‘RAD DAD’ and Nam is dressed in a white T-Shirt that carries a cursively written red writing of ‘Papa’. A hand crocheted rainbow coloured religious stole is draped over their necks and over Nam’s left shoulder and Benjamin’s right shoulder that drops to each side of their bodies. “I believe that the essence of any religion... faith... teaches us how to live a full, just, life. They provide us a set of guidelines to help nurture one's soul, teach us how to act and how to relate to ourselves and our community.” “I believe in karma, that there is a natural balance and order to things. You reap what you sow, so when you send positivity into the world, you will receive it all back! Good and bad things always happen, but it is how you act, with true intent, with true sincerity and to act with justice, that will be what will pull you through the tough and hard challenges you encounter in life's journey.  Some people think that they can ""game"" the system - empty words or promises to sound good, but at the end of the day, the only person you are fooling is yourself, not the Universe.  Knowing that you come from nothing and will go to nothing allows us to let go of materialism and to focus on the here and now - to make whatever little difference we can to those around us, and to build a better world for future generations.” "By paying respects to one's ancestors, the ones that have gone before us, we put context into our very own existence.  Without the hard work of our ancestors, we would not have what we have today, and our toil in the daily grind will hopefully better the future for the ones that will come after us. By acknowledging those that have come before us, offering a prayer, lighting an incense and taking a moment of pause; it allows us to be connected to our greater humanity, to know and understand that many have come through the same footsteps, that have suffered and rejoiced as we do, that we are not alone, and that we too will leave footsteps for the next generation to hopefully follow and push and excel even further.  This gives us perspective, of our place in the world - that we are the culmination of a lot of things and that we have a responsibility to those that will come after us.” “It would be nice to see the Buddhist community be more vocal at standing up for justice for LGBTIQA+ siblings in the world. Often the Buddhist community will shy away from advocacy and take a "hands off" approach to maintain peace. True intent, true sincerity and to act with justice - to look after all of our brothers and sisters and to treat and give all the same dignity they deserve.” “My faith affirms me in my inherent dignity as a sacred being, as co-heirs of that which is good, and calls on me to love lavishly, to love in a way that makes kinship out of every person that enters into my sphere or care, to value them the same way that sees their flourishing as important as my own flourishing, to see one another as beloved siblings of one human family, where their needs and dreams are tied up with mine.”  “Breaking bread, sharing a meal, sharing thanksgiving - the Eucharist with others through varied ways, be it in a literal sharing of a bite or drink, to the celebration of Mass is central to remembering our shared humanity and common divine origin. A reminder of our shared needs: for nourishment, dignity, hospitality, gratitude, compassion, forgiveness, faith, hope, love. In this ritual, it allows me in union with others to be able to touch heaven through our sharing of conversations, prayers, hope, laughter, dreams; and to touch earth through our sharing of tears, pain, struggles, reflections, contrition and stories of human limitations.” “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.  Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.  Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.”- Gospel according to Matthew, Chapter 5: 1-15 “I would like the Christian tradition to truly model and recognise the radical hospitality and radical love as told by the Gospels. The kind of love and hospitality where the Sacred is manifested and even birthed through the ordinary, the common, the queer, generously and uncompromisingly inclusive. That the almighty would take on utter vulnerability and total dependence to be in solidarity with the created world, that no one and nothing earthly is foreign, even death is not excluded from its transformative love.  That we’d soon discover that LGBTIQA+ movements towards justice and liberation are a prophetic part of that redemptive and sacred story that links us all the way back to our ancestors’ liberation from enslavement, oppression, injustice, prejudice and discrimination; but this time perhaps, to see our need to be free from the heavy chains of misogyny, patriarchy, cisheterosexism, racism and classism that dehumanises us all. That the prophetic voices of our LGBTIQA+ siblings calling for equity, equality and peace with justice is echoing the voice of the Holy Ones who have gone before us.” - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/contact-us ### Title: Contact Us ### Page ID: 3228137 ### Content: ## Contact Us If you'd like to offer us your feedback, thoughts and encouragement of what this exhibition means to you, please do drop us a line, we look forward to hearing from you! We are asking people to join us in sharing your LGBTIQA+ affirming stories of faith and spirituality. Please write to us as we'd love to hear from you about your thoughts, reflections and portraits (when uploading file, kindly make sure it isn't more than 3.5MB) . We are hoping to include others in this exhibition beyond the pilot capacity. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/copyright ### Title: Copyright ### Page ID: 3228138 ### Content: ## Copyright terms & Conditions *The ownership of the copyright for Amplify Queer Faith is held by Benjamin Oh as producer of the project. Except as permitted by the copyright law applicable to you, you may not reproduce or communicate any of the content on this website, including files downloadable from this website, without the permission of the copyright owner.* *The Australian Copyright Act allows certain uses of content from the internet without the copyright owner’s permission. This includes uses by educational institutions and by Commonwealth and State governments, provided fair compensation is paid. For more information, see* [*www.copyright.com.au*](https://www.copyright.com.au/) *and* [*www.copyright.org.au*](https://www.copyright.org.au/)*.* *The owner of copyright in the content on this website may receive compensation for the use of their content by educational institutions and governments, including from licensing schemes managed by Copyright Agency.* *The owner may change these terms of use from time to time. Check before re-using any content from this website.* *Except as permitted by the copyright law applicable to you, you may not reproduce or communicate any of the content on this website, including files downloadable from this website, without the permission of the copyright owner.* - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/feedback-and-commendations ### Title: Feedback & Commendations ### Page ID: 3228139 ### Content: ## ***Feedback & Commendations*** **“Wow those pictures are truly incredible…” – D. Shepherd** **“Thank you for sharing this hopeful ray of light...”** **“So gorgeous, love these photos and this opportunity to share story!” – R. Bower** **“The photos are amazing, and the written words next to them are beautiful and provocative and emotive.” – M. Anstey** - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/community ### Title: Community ### Page ID: 3228140 ### Content: ## Community Submissions ### 'Rainbow Warrior' ### 'Faith Without Borders' ### 'Justice & Love' ### 'A Life of Unlearning' ### 'Sacred Symphony' ### 'Unity in Diversity' The point of using dummy text for your paragraph is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters. making it look like readable English. - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/community-1 ### Title: Community 1 ### Page ID: 3228141 ### Content: ## **Rainbow Warrior** Decades of involvement in activism for justice, equity and equality have only added colour and glow to Meredith’s presence and personality. Having experienced and witnessed firsthand the suffering that LGBTIQA+ people of faith have undergone in the past 5 decades, Meredith’s optimism, humour and playfulness dance side by side with her perceptiveness, sensitivity, resoluteness and attention for the minoritized, the marginalised and the earth that is crying for justice. Meredith stands against a mandarin yellow background wearing a black 78ers’ ‘The First Mardi Gras’ T-Shirt that has words and pink triangles. She wears a biker’s helmet adorned sequins and vest both designed in the hue of the pride rainbow, and has rainbow coloured biker’s fingerless gloves and has a pair of rainbow triangle earrings dangling from her earlobes  “I am a theologically progressive Christian who is a member of both Pitt Street Uniting Church (since 1984) and Metropolitan Community Church, Sydney (since 1976). My faith sustains me through my conviction that God is absolute love and loves me fully and unconditionally. I take confidence in the Christian scripture that states that nothing can separate us from the love of God revealed to us in Christ Jesus (Epistle to the Romans 8:38). The main way that I experience this love is through being part of inclusive and loving community. The teachings of Jesus Christ inform my ethical and moral vision in that it compels me to treat Earth and all her creatures with kindness, justice and mercy.” “An important part of my spiritual practice is to attend a weekly church service. I lead a very busy life working full-time and I am actively involved in a number of community groups and choirs. Sunday morning is my opportunity to stop and consciously focus on my faith and that which gives my life deeper meaning. The service prepares me for the week ahead. It is good to be amongst people with whom I have a deep connection and who know and love me as I do them.  My two congregations are like family to me. It is also good to be amongst people who have a similar understanding of faith and life and who seek to live lives which are open and expansive; committed to social justice and the greater good. I also love singing the hymns and songs which I commonly find to be a deeply meaningful and joyful experience. Singing is an important part of my faith expression and there are hymns which are integral to my faith journey such as Here I am Lord and Come as You Are (that’s how I love you). Times of silence and prayer during the service (and as part of my daily routine) draw me into the present moment, quietening my overactive, self-critical and constant ruminating mind which is essential to my physical and emotional well-being. “ “A vital part of my spirituality is environmental activism. I have participated in protests, and other actions with *Extinction Rebellion* and with *Ecopella* environmental choir with which I sing. My Christian beliefs compel me to take an active stance because humanity is called to care for the earth, not to exploit it. We need to protect it for future generations of all of Earth’s inhabitants. Jesus called religious and political leaders to account. He stood up against the powers that caused oppression and destruction. I can imagine Jesus doing that today in our context of climate crisis.” “Homosexuality has been a deeply contentious issue to most Christian denominations including the Uniting Church in Australia of which I have been a member since its inception in 1977. However, the UCA has been willing to engage with the topic which has been a long, and at times, arduous process.  I was a member of the first Assembly UCA committee which was charged with undertaking a comprehensive study into the nature of homosexuality specifically in relation to biblical, theological, pastoral, physiological, psychological and legal perspectives. The report Homosexuality and the Church was published in 1985. The report called for responses from UCA members. The committee had to read and summarise the letters received and these were released in a second report called Responses to Homosexuality and the Church. As a young lesbian in my mid-twenties, I found reading the responses jarring because the majority were homophobic, many vitriolic. Those responses were a reflection of the prevailing views in the broader society. LGBTIQA+ people were treated as pariahs, especially gay men as it was at the height of the HIV/Aids epidemic and the general community predominantly blamed the gay community for its contagion overwhelmingly regarding it as the gay plague. Fast forward 38 years and the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) has come a long way in respect to the acceptance and inclusion of queer people (as of course, has secular society). It has been a costly process for many in the UCA. In the 1980s, Pitt Street Uniting Church was one of the only congregations that was open and affirming and we too paid the price especially our minister at the time, Rev Dorothy McMahon (later, Rev Dr Dorothy McRae McMahon). Today, many more congregations are open and affirming. Congregations are now free to employ queer ministers and we are greatly enriched by their gifts. Since marriage equality was passed into Australian law in 2017, Uniting Church ministers have been allowed to perform marriage ceremonies for same sex couples.” “A recent example of how Uniting Church congregations are evolving came when an LGBTIQA+ community arts organisation required a performance space in February 2023. A Uniting Church congregation, which had a history of being ultra-conservative, reached out and offered its church for the concert, free of charge. In his email to the music director, the minister said that the congregation was eager to offer the space. He said that the congregation acknowledged that they hadn't treated the LGBTIQA+ community well in the past but were now determined to do so.   I am proud of the Uniting Church for its willingness to grapple with the hard questions and to make positive and meaningful change. In its ongoing commitment to issues of social justice, including sexuality and gender, the Uniting Church continues to faithfully live out the call of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sadly, no institution in the Western world has been as damaging to LGBTIQA+ people as formalised Christianity. There are elements within the Christian church which continue this harmful persecution and oppression. However, fortunately today, there are many Christians who fully and unconditionally accept LGBTIQA+ people.  The Uniting Church has made significant positive strides in this respect. I would like to see the Uniting Church advance justice for LGBTIQA+ people by openly denouncing discrimination and persecution of LGBTIQA+ people wherever it exists, both nationally and internationally. On a national level this would include highlighting problems with proposed anti-religious bills that would likely result in the discrimination of LGBTIQA+ people and denouncing conversion therapy, discrimination against staff in church schools and instances where those with a public profile make inflammatory statements about LGBTIQA+ people. The church also has a role to play in educating its members about LGBTIQA+ issues and fostering the building of relationships.” “On an international level, advancing justice for LGBTIQA+ people would probably best be done by supporting organisations that work to change the draconian laws of those countries that persecute LGBTIQA+ people.” - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/community-2 ### Title: Community 2 ### Page ID: 3228142 ### Content: ## **Faith Without Borders** **Revd Penny Jones** (she, her) and **Revd Dr Josephine Inkpin** (she, her)  *Christians – Anglicans; Pansexual and Transgender & Cisgender; Priests, Uniting Church Ministers, Wives, Grand/Parent, Theology Lecturers, Activists, Dancers, Spiritual Directors* **Curatorial:** *Transcending the divides of different Christian traditions, Penny and Josephine, as a married couple and as ordained priests, have committed their lives to ministry, building bridges of understanding between churches and peoples through their vocations. Their love for one another through their marriage is in itself a testimony to love and commitment beyond the limitations of gender and sexuality.* **Image description:** *Penny and Josephine holding hands held as a couple whilst their other hands swing outward in a rejoiceful pose against a hot pink backdrop. Robed in their ministerial white Alb vestment, Penny has a stole with the rainbow pride colours and Josephine has a stole with the blue-* “Experiencing sacredness in and beyond ourselves has enabled us not only to survive in a world which has denied us but to be empowered to help liberate ourselves and others. At the heart of our faith is an eternal Love which sides with the marginalised and continually queers every attempt to restrict life and understanding. In the best of our traditions, ultimate beauty, truth and mystery can be encountered everywhere in creation. Knowing that ‘matter matters’ thus helps us treat the world gently and each person as an icon of Christ, utterly loved and capable of extraordinary loving transformation.” “ We find depth of peace, connection, and renewing energy in contemporary forms of ancient Christian contemplative practices, including meditative and body prayer, lectio and visio divina. These helps provide balance and integration of the many dimensions of our lives and world and open us to new possibilities of embodying love in ourselves and with others. Sharing in the Christian sacraments, and in life-giving scriptural and other spiritual words, grounds us in the embodied presence of divinity among us and energises us to walk together in the subversive Way of Jesus.” “ Life-giving spirituality is deeply trans: full of stories of trans-formation, trans-gression, and trans-figuration. This, not narrow tribal religious forms and ideologies, is at the heart of all the world’s great wisdom traditions and still provides hope and healing for all who would embrace it, under whatever name or none. Lovingly entered into, for us the stories and lived experience of Jesus Christ embodies this: transforming the powers of pain and death, transgressing the boundaries which hold our world captive, and offering transfiguring inspiration.” “It is time for Christianity to claim its queerness fully, in word, deed, and sacrament. We rejoice at the continuing emergence of LGBTIQA+ people of faith in every tradition, and the important steps taken, not least in parts of the worldwide Anglican Communion and in the Uniting Church in which we now serve. However, even in such faith spaces, we long for a true embrace of the wonderful abundance of queer gifts and vitality. Inclusion is not enough. Full dignity, celebration, empowerment and agency for all LGBTIQA people everywhere is a divine and urgent imperative.” - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/community-3 ### Title: Community 3 ### Page ID: 3228143 ### Content: ## **Faith Without Borders** **Revd Penny Jones** (she, her) and **Revd Dr Josephine Inkpin** (she, her)  *Christians – Anglicans; Pansexual and Transgender & Cisgender; Priests, Uniting Church Ministers, Wives, Grand/Parent, Theology Lecturers, Activists, Dancers, Spiritual Directors* **Curatorial:** *Transcending the divides of different Christian traditions, Penny and Josephine, as a married couple and as ordained priests, have committed their lives to ministry, building bridges of understanding between churches and peoples through their vocations. Their love for one another through their marriage is in itself a testimony to love and commitment beyond the limitations of gender and sexuality.* **Image description:** *Penny and Josephine holding hands held as a couple whilst their other hands swing outward in a rejoiceful pose against a hot pink backdrop. Robed in their ministerial white Alb vestment, Penny has a stole with the rainbow pride colours and Josephine has a stole with the blue-* “Experiencing sacredness in and beyond ourselves has enabled us not only to survive in a world which has denied us but to be empowered to help liberate ourselves and others. At the heart of our faith is an eternal Love which sides with the marginalised and continually queers every attempt to restrict life and understanding. In the best of our traditions, ultimate beauty, truth and mystery can be encountered everywhere in creation. Knowing that ‘matter matters’ thus helps us treat the world gently and each person as an icon of Christ, utterly loved and capable of extraordinary loving transformation.” “ We find depth of peace, connection, and renewing energy in contemporary forms of ancient Christian contemplative practices, including meditative and body prayer, lectio and visio divina. These helps provide balance and integration of the many dimensions of our lives and world and open us to new possibilities of embodying love in ourselves and with others. Sharing in the Christian sacraments, and in life-giving scriptural and other spiritual words, grounds us in the embodied presence of divinity among us and energises us to walk together in the subversive Way of Jesus.” “ Life-giving spirituality is deeply trans: full of stories of trans-formation, trans-gression, and trans-figuration. This, not narrow tribal religious forms and ideologies, is at the heart of all the world’s great wisdom traditions and still provides hope and healing for all who would embrace it, under whatever name or none. Lovingly entered into, for us the stories and lived experience of Jesus Christ embodies this: transforming the powers of pain and death, transgressing the boundaries which hold our world captive, and offering transfiguring inspiration.” “It is time for Christianity to claim its queerness fully, in word, deed, and sacrament. We rejoice at the continuing emergence of LGBTIQA+ people of faith in every tradition, and the important steps taken, not least in parts of the worldwide Anglican Communion and in the Uniting Church in which we now serve. However, even in such faith spaces, we long for a true embrace of the wonderful abundance of queer gifts and vitality. Inclusion is not enough. Full dignity, celebration, empowerment and agency for all LGBTIQA people everywhere is a divine and urgent imperative.” - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/community-4 ### Title: Community 4 ### Page ID: 3228144 ### Content: ## **Faith Without Borders** **Revd Penny Jones** (she, her) and **Revd Dr Josephine Inkpin** (she, her)  *Christians – Anglicans; Pansexual and Transgender & Cisgender; Priests, Uniting Church Ministers, Wives, Grand/Parent, Theology Lecturers, Activists, Dancers, Spiritual Directors* **Curatorial:** *Transcending the divides of different Christian traditions, Penny and Josephine, as a married couple and as ordained priests, have committed their lives to ministry, building bridges of understanding between churches and peoples through their vocations. Their love for one another through their marriage is in itself a testimony to love and commitment beyond the limitations of gender and sexuality.* **Image description:** *Penny and Josephine holding hands held as a couple whilst their other hands swing outward in a rejoiceful pose against a hot pink backdrop. Robed in their ministerial white Alb vestment, Penny has a stole with the rainbow pride colours and Josephine has a stole with the blue-* “Experiencing sacredness in and beyond ourselves has enabled us not only to survive in a world which has denied us but to be empowered to help liberate ourselves and others. At the heart of our faith is an eternal Love which sides with the marginalised and continually queers every attempt to restrict life and understanding. In the best of our traditions, ultimate beauty, truth and mystery can be encountered everywhere in creation. Knowing that ‘matter matters’ thus helps us treat the world gently and each person as an icon of Christ, utterly loved and capable of extraordinary loving transformation.” “ We find depth of peace, connection, and renewing energy in contemporary forms of ancient Christian contemplative practices, including meditative and body prayer, lectio and visio divina. These helps provide balance and integration of the many dimensions of our lives and world and open us to new possibilities of embodying love in ourselves and with others. Sharing in the Christian sacraments, and in life-giving scriptural and other spiritual words, grounds us in the embodied presence of divinity among us and energises us to walk together in the subversive Way of Jesus.” “ Life-giving spirituality is deeply trans: full of stories of trans-formation, trans-gression, and trans-figuration. This, not narrow tribal religious forms and ideologies, is at the heart of all the world’s great wisdom traditions and still provides hope and healing for all who would embrace it, under whatever name or none. Lovingly entered into, for us the stories and lived experience of Jesus Christ embodies this: transforming the powers of pain and death, transgressing the boundaries which hold our world captive, and offering transfiguring inspiration.” “It is time for Christianity to claim its queerness fully, in word, deed, and sacrament. We rejoice at the continuing emergence of LGBTIQA+ people of faith in every tradition, and the important steps taken, not least in parts of the worldwide Anglican Communion and in the Uniting Church in which we now serve. However, even in such faith spaces, we long for a true embrace of the wonderful abundance of queer gifts and vitality. Inclusion is not enough. Full dignity, celebration, empowerment and agency for all LGBTIQA people everywhere is a divine and urgent imperative.” - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/community-5 ### Title: Community 5 ### Page ID: 3228145 ### Content: ## **Faith Without Borders** **Revd Penny Jones** (she, her) and **Revd Dr Josephine Inkpin** (she, her)  *Christians – Anglicans; Pansexual and Transgender & Cisgender; Priests, Uniting Church Ministers, Wives, Grand/Parent, Theology Lecturers, Activists, Dancers, Spiritual Directors* **Curatorial:** *Transcending the divides of different Christian traditions, Penny and Josephine, as a married couple and as ordained priests, have committed their lives to ministry, building bridges of understanding between churches and peoples through their vocations. Their love for one another through their marriage is in itself a testimony to love and commitment beyond the limitations of gender and sexuality.* **Image description:** *Penny and Josephine holding hands held as a couple whilst their other hands swing outward in a rejoiceful pose against a hot pink backdrop. Robed in their ministerial white Alb vestment, Penny has a stole with the rainbow pride colours and Josephine has a stole with the blue-* “Experiencing sacredness in and beyond ourselves has enabled us not only to survive in a world which has denied us but to be empowered to help liberate ourselves and others. At the heart of our faith is an eternal Love which sides with the marginalised and continually queers every attempt to restrict life and understanding. In the best of our traditions, ultimate beauty, truth and mystery can be encountered everywhere in creation. Knowing that ‘matter matters’ thus helps us treat the world gently and each person as an icon of Christ, utterly loved and capable of extraordinary loving transformation.” “ We find depth of peace, connection, and renewing energy in contemporary forms of ancient Christian contemplative practices, including meditative and body prayer, lectio and visio divina. These helps provide balance and integration of the many dimensions of our lives and world and open us to new possibilities of embodying love in ourselves and with others. Sharing in the Christian sacraments, and in life-giving scriptural and other spiritual words, grounds us in the embodied presence of divinity among us and energises us to walk together in the subversive Way of Jesus.” “ Life-giving spirituality is deeply trans: full of stories of trans-formation, trans-gression, and trans-figuration. This, not narrow tribal religious forms and ideologies, is at the heart of all the world’s great wisdom traditions and still provides hope and healing for all who would embrace it, under whatever name or none. Lovingly entered into, for us the stories and lived experience of Jesus Christ embodies this: transforming the powers of pain and death, transgressing the boundaries which hold our world captive, and offering transfiguring inspiration.” “It is time for Christianity to claim its queerness fully, in word, deed, and sacrament. We rejoice at the continuing emergence of LGBTIQA+ people of faith in every tradition, and the important steps taken, not least in parts of the worldwide Anglican Communion and in the Uniting Church in which we now serve. However, even in such faith spaces, we long for a true embrace of the wonderful abundance of queer gifts and vitality. Inclusion is not enough. Full dignity, celebration, empowerment and agency for all LGBTIQA people everywhere is a divine and urgent imperative.” - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/community-6 ### Title: Community 6 ### Page ID: 3228146 ### Content: ## **Faith Without Borders** **Revd Penny Jones** (she, her) and **Revd Dr Josephine Inkpin** (she, her)  *Christians – Anglicans; Pansexual and Transgender & Cisgender; Priests, Uniting Church Ministers, Wives, Grand/Parent, Theology Lecturers, Activists, Dancers, Spiritual Directors* **Curatorial:** *Transcending the divides of different Christian traditions, Penny and Josephine, as a married couple and as ordained priests, have committed their lives to ministry, building bridges of understanding between churches and peoples through their vocations. Their love for one another through their marriage is in itself a testimony to love and commitment beyond the limitations of gender and sexuality.* **Image description:** *Penny and Josephine holding hands held as a couple whilst their other hands swing outward in a rejoiceful pose against a hot pink backdrop. Robed in their ministerial white Alb vestment, Penny has a stole with the rainbow pride colours and Josephine has a stole with the blue-* “Experiencing sacredness in and beyond ourselves has enabled us not only to survive in a world which has denied us but to be empowered to help liberate ourselves and others. At the heart of our faith is an eternal Love which sides with the marginalised and continually queers every attempt to restrict life and understanding. In the best of our traditions, ultimate beauty, truth and mystery can be encountered everywhere in creation. Knowing that ‘matter matters’ thus helps us treat the world gently and each person as an icon of Christ, utterly loved and capable of extraordinary loving transformation.” “ We find depth of peace, connection, and renewing energy in contemporary forms of ancient Christian contemplative practices, including meditative and body prayer, lectio and visio divina. These helps provide balance and integration of the many dimensions of our lives and world and open us to new possibilities of embodying love in ourselves and with others. Sharing in the Christian sacraments, and in life-giving scriptural and other spiritual words, grounds us in the embodied presence of divinity among us and energises us to walk together in the subversive Way of Jesus.” “ Life-giving spirituality is deeply trans: full of stories of trans-formation, trans-gression, and trans-figuration. This, not narrow tribal religious forms and ideologies, is at the heart of all the world’s great wisdom traditions and still provides hope and healing for all who would embrace it, under whatever name or none. Lovingly entered into, for us the stories and lived experience of Jesus Christ embodies this: transforming the powers of pain and death, transgressing the boundaries which hold our world captive, and offering transfiguring inspiration.” “It is time for Christianity to claim its queerness fully, in word, deed, and sacrament. We rejoice at the continuing emergence of LGBTIQA+ people of faith in every tradition, and the important steps taken, not least in parts of the worldwide Anglican Communion and in the Uniting Church in which we now serve. However, even in such faith spaces, we long for a true embrace of the wonderful abundance of queer gifts and vitality. Inclusion is not enough. Full dignity, celebration, empowerment and agency for all LGBTIQA people everywhere is a divine and urgent imperative.” - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") - [Home](/ "Home") - [Portraits](/portraits "Portraits") - [Why?](/why "Why?") - [Feedback & Commendations](/feedback-and-commendations "Feedback & Commendations") - [Contact Us](/contact-us "Contact Us") --- ## URL: https://www.amplifyqueerfaith.com.au/protected-collection-item ### Title: Protected Page ### Page ID: 6625597 ### Content: In order to view the page, please enter the password below: