 It was good to be asked by the Journal of Anglican Studies to provide a review recently for Susannah Cornwell's excellent book (now in paperback, published by Cambridge UP) Constructive Theology and Gender Variance: Transformative Creatures. May we continue to grow and learn together in ever more flourishing transformative creativity!
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 It was a delight to be interviewed last year by Darby Carr for the Transgender, Gender Diverse and Non-Binary (TGDNB) oral history project of the National Library of Australia. This can be found here.
As the National Library of Australia records: 'In recent decades, there has been a growing social awareness about the experiences and contribution of transgender, gender diverse and non-binary Australians. This oral history project of up to eight oral history interviews records the life stories from a diverse range of individuals who identify as Transgender, Gender Diverse and Non-Binary (TGDNB). It documents the history, culture, achievements, struggles and celebrations that make a variety of life experiences over many decades. (see further here)  Lovely to hear this week about heartwarming responses from trans people and family members to our Equal Voices TDoV resources, and of prayers and plans across the country tomorrow - and Monday. Meanwhile, it is very good to hear of active measures happening in the USA, not least among Episcopalians. Standing up with those on the margins, speaking out for love and truth, and calling us all back to honour the Whole Body - yep, that’s core to my understanding of a bishop. See further here and here for some of the other Episcopal and TransEpiscopal-led activities at this time. In thanksgiving, and solidarity with my siblings in the USA and elsewhere
Further to worship resources (see links below) for churches and schools for Sunday 30 March and the upcoming Trans Day of Visibility (Mon 31 March), Equal Voices is delighted to share two short videos encouraging active participation. Produced respectively by trans & gender diverse ecumenical Christians and Christian allies in Sydney, these were filmed at Pancake Pride this year, as an expression of Rainbow Christians Together commitment and a call to all to celebrate TGD lives and gifts. These can be used in the run up to the Trans Day of Visibility, in worship or other gatherings, and provide an opportunity to support transgender people, particularly in the light of current backlash. Please feel free to share these widely with others. With thanks to everyone involved, especially Orange Kao, Pitt Street and St Stephen’s Uniting Churches. Celebrating Transgender Visibility liturgical resources An invitation from Trans & Gender Diverse Christians to celebrate the Trans Day of Visibility A message from Christian allies for the Trans Day of Visibility  It was a pleasure recently to share with others in the Sydney Mardi Gras 2025 version of ABC's God Forbid program - see/listen here
 It was a delight recently to receive news of this well deserved honour - for Jo Clifford, one of the LGBTIQ+ saints rightly also recognised by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and so many of us.
 My keynote address to the Future Church Conference 2025 in Sydney focused on the invitation to expansive life and faith, through the joyful reception of the gifts of gender diversity in the face of the rising anti-gender 'confessional' movement and its desire for patriarchal, 're-colonising' repression across the world. See further here.
 Prior to Bishop Budde’s excellent sermon calling in on President Trump to practice the cardinal Christian virtue of mercy to the vulnerable, much work has been being done in Episcopalian circles to build solidarity for trans, immigrant and other groups now under attack in the USA. Here is a good recent article outlining some of these developments and wonderful key trans leaders - the kinds of work which could be done here and elsewhere before attacks come and to enable true flourishing. Among other things, I commend my fellow trans priest the Revd Carla Robinson’s work and words:
"it takes me back to my spiritual roots in the Black church (in the 1960s and 1970s). In those days, it was not unusual for someone to ask you in church, ‘How goes the struggle?’ It was asked in church because the church was actively engaged in the fight for civil rights and justice." As Episcopalians,,“We’ve been called to something much different than ‘Nice.’ [A fighting church] acknowledges that there is a real struggle. …It acknowledges the reality of who is being hurt – how they are being hurt – and it calls upon the church to not be shy about facing those realities. … A fighting church acts and speaks from its place as followers of Jesus.” May all those seeking to practise and nurture mercy gain strength at this time. It has been wonderful to have distinguished trans playwright and performer Jo Clifford in Sydney with us this month. Among other things, Jo performed as Jesus, Queen of Heaven in St Stephen's Uniting Church, Macquarie Street in Sydney, and also joined us for worship and speaking at Pitt Street Uniting Church. Jo also visited Melbourne on this trip, including with a new play. We hope to see her again in Australia before long.
‘The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven is a unique, emotive, one-woman show that “leaves everyone feeling blessed” as it seeks to end trans discrimination. Jesus has returned to earth as a trans woman and this is your chance to come and meet her – even if you don’t normally go to church. The show is written and performed by Jo, one of Scotland’s most renowned playwrights with over 100 plays to her name, Stonewall role model and recently elected an Elder of the United Reformed Church. Wonderful to have Steff Fenton with us yesterday at Pitt Street Uniting Church- sharing a terrific Reflection (see here) - as we marked Transgender Awareness Week and also gave thanks for the great work of Uniting Network NSW over the years. |
AuthorThe Revd Dr Jo Inkpin: Archives
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