Statement on the criminalisation of LGBTQI+ people Signatories

1.  As those who reject the criminalization and victimization of people who identify as LGBTQI+ and condemn all forms of violence directed against them, we welcome the recent statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury expressing grave concerns about the possible consequences of the draft Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill due to be debated by the Ghanaian parliament. In particular we welcome his emphasis that:

The majority of Anglicans within the global Anglican Communion are committed to upholding both the traditional teaching on marriage as laid out in the 1998 Lambeth Conference Resolution I:10, and the rights of every person, regardless of sexual orientation, before the law.

2. Believing that Scripture is our trustworthy authority in all matters of life and faith, we understand both these elements of Lambeth I.10 to be faithful expressions of the teaching of Scripture. Interpreted aright, Scripture teaches both that marriage is the lifelong union between one man and one woman and the proper place for sexual union, and that all people are made in the image of God, and so should be treated with dignity, respect and care by every individual and by the law.

3. Globally, different cultures undermine different aspects of these two truths—but we believe it is vital that both of them continue to shape the Christian church and the lives of all those who seek to follow Jesus. We are grieved when we see Christians, especially church leaders, failing to uphold either of them whether in the life of the church or in the church’s witness to its culture.

4. We affirm that we are committed in our churches to offering the radical hospitality of Jesus to all, regardless of sex, age, class, ethnicity, or sexuality, alongside hearing, teaching, and responding to Jesus’ radical call to holiness of life in all its aspects.

You can sign the statement yourself here.