30th Anniversary 1982 – 2012 FORUM L G B T European Forum of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Christian Groups European Forum of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Christian Groups How the story began … The European Forum of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Christian Groups (FORUM) celebrates the 30th anniversary of its foundation in 1982. It was the Catholic priest, Emile Letertre, from the French group David et Jonathan who invited groups from all over Europe to the first gathering in Paris that took place 23–24 October. From 1982 till 1987 responsibility for the FORUM was up to the host groups. Then a feasibility com- mission (1985/86) looked at the possibilities of setting up a permanent structure. The result was a Board consisting of female and male co-presi- dents, secretary, treasurer and two further Board members. Frankfurt 1987: Joseph Doucé (middle) Nevertheless, in the 80s the FORUM was practi- cally run by gay men. The first male co-president was Joseph Doucé (France) followed by Piergiovanni Palminota from Italy and Paul Whiting (then Scrox- ton), UK. A shock wave hit the FORUM when in 1990 the dead body of Pasteur Doucé was found. He had been murdered. The mystery surrounding his death has never been solved. It was only since 1990 that with Caroline Blanco a woman played an active important role on the Board. The participation of lesbians at conferences grew steadily in this decade. They had to fight for equality in the FORUM and they definitively had won this battle by the end of the decade. They achieved regular women’s pre-conferences and women like the unforgettable Brenda Harrison took a leading Frankfurt 1987: Emile Letertre (central), role in the FORUM … Paul Scroxton (now: Whiting) (right) So begins our story. It is worth telling it and commemorizing the activists from the Board who have passed away: Joseph Doucé, Lothar Koschig, Piergiovanni Palminota, Caroline Blan- co, Brenda Harrison and all the other members of the FORUM family. This booklet is for those who want to know more Frankfurt 1987: Bernd Wangerin (central), about the story of the FORUM. It presents our Lothar Koschig (right) developments and achievements. And as it is impossible to understand the FORUM without its effect on individual lives, 12 people from 12 different countries give their testimony of what the FORUM means to them. Michael Brinkschröder (Male Co-President) Presentation The FORUM started off in Paris in 1982 with 16 people from 7 groups spread over 5 countries. 30 years later it has become a network of 47 organizations from 22 countries around Europe. The FORUM works for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people within and through the Christian churches of Europe. FORUM association members represent the different Christian denominations such as: Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Reformed Church, Evangelical, Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Metropolitan Community Church, ecumenical groups, among others. Each year the FORUM organizes an annual conference in a European city. It is organized through working groups from local LGBT organizations in cooperation with the FORUM Board. The FORUM celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2012. Throughout the past years FORUM has made constant growth in the number of member groups. The number of members belonging to all the member associations is more than 5.500. The participation by women is increasing every year. The FORUM member groups participate in discussions with ecumenical bodies, national and local churches and dialogue with the World Council of Churches (WCC). It is member of ILGA- Europe and works together with this organization in the fight against homophobia and in favour of LGBT human rights. The FORUM has carried out different projects throughout the past years. FORUM also has a commitment with Eastern European LGBT through The Agape Fund. More than 30.000 € have been applied to scholarships for persons to attend FORUM conferences. This is one of the ways the FORUM supports LGBT people and organizations living under situations where their human rights are ignored as in some Eastern and Central European countries. The FORUM has built networks and alliances with many Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) throughout Europe and the rest of the world. These 30 years have been full of FORUM witnesses in our churches in Europe: We are proud to be gay, called into liberty. As lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Christians we are a resource for broadening Europe’s vision. We are not just lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, not just Chris- tian, but wholly human. Creating the future of Europe is a challenge to us all, but we will find the paths to openness and so the future is ours. We are living in commitments and are encouraged to follow the Law of Love! Under the rainbow we rejoice and are exceedingly glad. Here we are surrounded by friends. Our Mission The FORUM works for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people within and through the Christian churches of Europe. The FORUM, as an organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Christian Groups, pursues the following aims: • to witness within lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities to the good news in the Christian faith of God’s love for all people • to bring together groups concerned with faith in Jesus Christ, with churches, and with homo- sexuality; and whose aims include achieving acceptance of lesbian and gay lifestyles as a valid expression of Christian living, and/or acceptance of the Christian religion • to help LGBT communities believe that the love of God includes LGBT people, together with all other people • to work for the emancipation and freedom of LGBT people • to take positive action against negative statements and actions, especially when these ema- nate from religious organizations • to network with other groups concerned with Christian faith whose aims include achieving ac- ceptance of LGBT people in both church and society and specifically to achieve these aims by: • supporting the work of the member Groups through the provision of facilities for information exchange, mutual encouragement and supporting action in particular campaigns • encouraging the formation of such Groups where they do not already exist • presenting a co-ordinated voice, representing the member Groups to international Christian organizations and churches, and to international LGBT organizations The FORUM will attempt, in the composition of its Board, its working groups and its official statements, to take account of the specific concerns of all who consider themselves partially or wholly of homosexual orientation and of all gender identities, having also an awareness of the specific needs and concerns of deaf, physically and mentally challenged people, and of people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Testimonies Yves Quentin GENDER: Male NATIONALITY: French ORGANIZATION: David & Jonathan CHRISTIAN DENOMINATION: Catholic RELIGIOUS STATUS: Lay person As a close friend of Emile Letertre, co-founder of the Euro- pean Forum, I’ve always known there was a yearly ga thering of Christian gays and lesbians. But it’s only in 1988 when Emile took me to London that I had my first vision of this extraordinary gathering (I remember our English friends were mostly concerned with a law banning the promotion of homosexuality). Back home I helped Emile print a short leaflet about the history of the first 7 meetings. Then I went to several other conferences on and off. Each time it was so pleasant to meet old and new friends, take part in thought-provoking workshops and to pray together. Compared to other LGBT organizations we may achieve little progress. But we have to realize we are fighting against (or working within) a strongly conservative (sometimes homo- phobic) institution. Slowly, advances are being made (see the last meeting in Jamaica) and our yearly meetings are proof of our vitality, especially when we celebrate our common faith in a vi- brant ecumenical service. Thirty years later, we have become more efficient in changing the way Church officials and grassroots Christians see us and accept us. We have started working with non religious organizations like ILGA-Europe and we make our presence known in great events like the last Europride in Rome. The arrival of our friends from Eastern Europe, the advent of internet exchange of information and a stronger Board, all this is developing in the right direc- tion. Long life to the European Forum! Randi Oklevik Solberg GENDER: Female NATIONALITY: Norwegian (has also lived in Germany and the USA) ORGANIZATION: Åpen Kirkegruppe (Norway) and Labrystheia (Germany) CHRISTIAN DENOMINATION: Lutheran / protestant (Norwegian state church) RELIGIOUS STATUS: Lay person in Church. Former Co-President of the European Forum. First, I was amazed, I was electrified … by all the women – and men – from all over Europe. The sound of all the languages. People flying in from 30 countries, to meet, to mean something to each other. To work together. I got fascinated and absorbed. By the potential. The potential to create, to make changes, to achieve. Together. To laugh, to play, to cry, to flirt, to fall in love. And, I did all that. For many years. I got to know the Forum. As meeting place. As my international LGBT family. A family where I would every year meet my close LGBT family members and more distant ‘relatives’. And, also where there always were new people joining. And being welcomed into the family. To me, European Forum is most of all a living proof of the power of networking. More than 200 people were involved in creating the book ‘Let Our Voices Be Heard!’, and together we were able to develop and fundraise for the theological training course ‘Safe Space’, which will now be available as basic material for future training courses.