Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Girls just wanna have fun, or so we’re told by Cyndi Lauper. But isn’t that to some extent true for all of us, regardless of our gender identity or expression?

I’ve noticed something in my time ministering to and alongside LGBT+ Christians, and it’s something that when I’ve shared with others, they’ve all nodded sadly: there isn’t a lot of joy out there as LGBT+ people of faith.

However, perhaps joy and fun are different – and when Cyndi Lauper sang of nights out and disappointed parents, she was of course singing of something that speaks of light-hearted frivolity, but might we need to find a sense of that fun abandon once again?

It’s true to say that LGBT+ people, Christian or otherwise, remain discriminated against, persecuted, and victimised because of our sexuality and gender identity – even in the UK, likely one of the world’s “safest” places to be LGBT+, hate-crime against us remains horrifyingly high and harmful practices such as conversion therapy are still debated as if they don’t cause pain and suffering. 

For so many reasons, finding joy as an LGBT+ person can feel like an impossible task – the imaginary pot of gold at the end of a rainbow that feels a little more rain than it does anything else. However, it can also be true to say that being LGBT+ can also be a life-giving, liberating, and yes, a whole lot of fun. The Netflix hit “Queer Eye” is not everyone’s cup of tea, but it certainly demonstrates that flourishing and joy are very real (Jonathan Van Ness skipping across screen will likely always make me smile).

Which is why this year, OneBodyOneFaith is committing itself to two key areas of focus; one of which is JOY. What does it look like to nurture genuine joy and flourishing for LGBT+ Christians? How do we find joy whilst so much sadness remains? How do we hold those who can’t be in places of joy and still nurture joyful environments for others?

Christ came so that we may have life and life to its fullest, I believe that this must include a whole lot of joy for those of us who are LGBT+; and as those who like to do things a bit differently from the heteronormative standard, we get to define just what that joy can be. 

I’m excited about what 2022 can bring for all of us, and I’ve a renewed sense of hope that joy, even in times of darkness, is truly possible. I’d be delighted for you to be part of this journey to joy and flourishing with us – so come along and have some fun?

Luke Dowding, Executive Director