This is the fourth of our Q&A webinars with our new Patrons.
“There are so few places for many of us who are LGBTQ to be able to explore questions of belonging and togetherness and faith and story and doubt and belief”
WATCH Pádraig Ó Tuama's message to the Open Table Network [2 mins]
The Open Table Network is becoming a charity, so we have asked several notable Christians who identify as LGBTQIA+, or as allies, to become our patrons. They will be advocates for our Network, speaking about us and supporting us in the public eye. We are proud that these people believe in what we're doing and want to have their names associated with us.
Pádraig Ó Tuama is a compelling poet and skilled speaker, teacher and group worker. From 2014-2019 he was the leader of the Corrymeela Community, Ireland’s oldest peace and reconciliation community.
He is a regular broadcaster on radio on topics including conflict and faith, LGBT inclusion, and the dangers of so-called ‘reparative therapy’.
Pádraig’s published work includes poetry (Readings from the Book of Exile, Sorry for your Troubles), prose (In The Shelter) and theology (Daily Prayer, The Place Between).
With his partner, Paul Doran, he co-founded Tenx9, a storytelling event where nine people have up to ten minutes each to tell a true story from their lives. Begun in Belfast, this event now has satellite events in many other cities.
He is currently engaged in a PhD in Theology through Creative Practice, exploring poetry, Irishness and religion. He also has numerous professional accreditations in conflict, focusing particularly on the dynamics of group conflicts.
Pádraig will be in conversation with Kieran Bohan, Co-ordinator of the Open Table Network. Kieran is a Missional Leader in the Anglican Diocese of Liverpool, with responsibility for outreach and pastoral care for the LGBTQIA+ community, and training around gender and sexuality issues for faith communities, in the Diocese of Liverpool and beyond. In 2020, thanks to a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund, he begun working full-time to raise our online presence to reach more isolated LGBTQIA+ folk. This funding has made these webinars possible.