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TEN YEARS ago, two of the founders of the first Open Table community in Liverpool arranged a church blessing of their civil partnership. While they were planning it, the UK Government changed the law so they could register their civil partnership in a church - and be the first couple in the UK to do so!

LAST MONTH, our Co-Chair Alex Clare-Young and their wife Jo, who is also a minister, led a week’s retreat for LGBTQ+ people and allies on Iona, a small island off the west coast of Scotland. On their return from the retreat, Alex compiled this photo story about the week.

LAST MONTH, amid widespread condemnation, the UK Government decided not to include trans people in its conversion therapy ban. In an interview with the Evening Standard this week, OTN Co-Chair Alex Clare-Young shares experiences of conversion therapy, and concern that being trans is not something to be cured, but to be accepted and joyfully celebrated.

THIS WEEK, in My Faithful Ally, the podcast that shares the stories and testimonies from queer people of faith, OTN Coordinator Kieran shares his journey from teaching and training for priesthood to a new call to support LGBTQIA+ #Christians

THE DEADLINE to respond to the consultation on Living In Love & Faith (LLF) - the Church of England’s resources on identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage - is fast approaching. If you have taken part in an LLF course - or if you have not but still have feedback you want the bishops leading the process to be aware of - you have until Saturday 30th April to respond.

A YEAR AGO, on Maundy Thursday, the priest who leads our Open Table community in north London received news of a Clergy Disciplinary Measure following his advocacy for a young woman in her claim of homophobic abuse in another parish. Here he reflects on the impact of that experience, and how that young woman’s story is not an isolated case.

OTN CO-CHAIR Alex Clare-Young is among church leaders calling on the Prime Minister to remove the exclusion of trans people from the proposed ‘conversion therapy’ ban which was announced last week. Here Alex reflects on the response to the Government’s announcement.

OTN PATRON Rachel Mann and Co-Chair Alex Clare-Young were among the 14 church leaders calling on the Prime Minister to remove the exclusion of trans people from the proposed ‘conversion therapy’ ban

ON TRANS DAY OF VISIBILITY, OTN Co-Chair Sarah Hobbs recalls the day that changed her life, and why it matters that the Church of England engages widely and well with conversations around identity.

THE ETERNAL WALL OF ANSWERED PRAYER is a glorious landmark under construction NOW. Each of the one million bricks will digitally hold a story of prayer answered. And Open Table Network supporters are invited to tell our stories.