This sermon was given by Ms Bethany Austin at the Open Table Liverpool community hosted by St Bride's Church Liverpool, UK for a Communion Service marking Transgender Day of Remembrance 2022. The readings were Colossians 1:11-22 and Luke 23:33-43.
For details on the Open table Liverpool community visit www.stbridesliverpool.org.uk/lgbtqia
Bethany is an ordinand studying at Emmanuel Theological Colleague and a proud members of the Trans* community.
Transgender Day of Remembrance began in 1999 as a result of increasing anti-transgender violence and discrimination. The first memorial event was held in November 1999 to remember and honour Rita Hester, who was murdered on November 28th, 1998 in Boston, USA. Rita Hester’s murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — is still unsolved.
Today is a special service where we gather to honour Transgender Day of Remembrance, to remember those who have died due to transphobia and to celebrate the survivors. FFI: https://tgeu.org/tdor/
Open Table is a network of ecumenical Christian worship communities which offer a warm welcome to people who are: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer / Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA) and all who seek an inclusive Church. The first Open Table community began at St Bride’s Liverpool in June 2008. Now Open Table communities gather across England and Wales, hosted by inclusive churches in four denominations (Anglican, United Reformed Church, Baptist, Methodist). To find out when and where you can 'come as you are' visit www.opentable.lgbt
