Meet our Patrons: Rachel Mann in conversation with Alex Clare-Young
THE OPEN TABLE NETWORK (OTN) 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 OTN, speaking about us and supporting us in the public eye. We are proud that these individuals believe in what we’re doing and want to have their names associated with us.
In the first of our Q&A webinars with our new Patrons. trans priest, poet, writer & broadcaster Rachel Mann was in conversation with our Co-Chair Alex Clare-Young, also a trans Christian minister.
The Q&A webinar, on Thursday 19th November 2020, was a highlight of Trans Awareness Week, on the eve of Trans Day Of Remembrance which shows why #TransLivesMatter. If you missed our Q&A with Rachel Mann, want to watch it again, now you can catch up below or on our YouTube channel (1 hour).
Rachel Mann is an Anglican Priest, poet, writer and broadcaster based in South Manchester. Her first book, the critically-acclaimed ‘Dazzling Darkness’ (Glasgow: Wild Goose), a memoir of growing up transgender in the 1970s and ‘80s, has just received a second, revised edition.
Since then she has published ten books which include the Michael Ramsey Prize-nominated ‘Fierce Imaginings’ (London: DLT), the Forward Prizes commended ‘A Kingdom of Love (Manchester: Carcanet), and, in October 2020, a novel ‘The Gospel of Eve (London: DLT).
She has also written comment pieces for The Church Times, The Times, and The Guardian. She also contributes to radio programmes on BBC Radio, including Sunday Worship, in which she recently incorporated a reflection on the ministry of the Open Table Network.
Rachel was in conversation with Alex Clare-Young, Co-Chair of the Open Table Network. Alex is a minister in the United Reformed Church, currently ministering to an online community called Churspacious, and with the trans community. Alex's first book, ‘Transgender. Christian. Human.’ was published in 2019 by Wild Goose.
Rachel answered a wide range of questions, including
What would you like to say to LGBTQIA+ young people today?
Why does the Open Table Network matter to you?
Do you think the Eucharist, or Communion, has particular importance for LGBTQ+ Christians?
How can people be supportive allies to trans people, to help them sit at the table?
If you could choose to sit around a table with anyone , who would it be?
What barriers are there to the full participation of LGBTQIA+ people in the church today
How can we support those who are most marginalised within the LGBTQIA+ community
Would you encourage people to engage with the CofE's Living in Love & Faith (LLF) resources?
The conversation about trans rights has been framed as a debate between feminism and trans people. Is there a helpful way to respond?
What gives you hope right now?