100Revs

Bringing to your attention the recent actions of 100 clergy in Australia from all denominations who marched or were represented in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade to offer their apology for the lack of hospitality and welcome offered by the churches to members of the gay,lesbian,bisexual, transgender community. The Statement of apology read as follows:
As ministers of various churches and denominations we recognise that the churches we belong to, and the church in general, have not been places of welcome for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people. Indeed the church has often been profoundly unloving toward the GLBT community. For these things we apologise, whatever the distinctive of our Christian position on human sexuality – to which we remain committed. We are deeply sorry and ask for the forgiveness of the GLBT community. We long that the church would be a place of welcome for all people and commit ourselves to pursuing this goal.
We ARE a group of Christian ministers who voluntarily and individually bring this apology.
We ARE NOT official representatives of our churches or denominations.
We ARE recognising the lack of hospitality, care and welcome that the churches have offered the gay and lesbian community.
We ARE NOT making a statement on the biblical position on gay and lesbian relationships.

To date almost 100 Revs [including Catholic Religious, Pastors and Reverends from at least 8 mainstream churches] have publicly signed this document; some 30 marched in the Mardi Gras last weekend where they were warmly welcomed and their apology received by the GLBT community. Reaction of the major churches ranges from dissociation to condemnation, whilst privately many more clergy admit their support and own lack of hospitality over past years.