'Open Table means everything to me' - Gail
BRIDGING THE GAP - 78% of Open Table community members said there is a need for an LGBTQIA+ organisation to bridge the gap between the Christian community and the LGBTQIA+ community
MONDAY 11th October is #ComingOutDay - Will you #ComeOutForOpenTable by sharing and supporting our Crowdfunder?
The Open Table Network helps make loving places where LGBTQIA+ people of faith belong safely. As more people hear of us, there’s much more work to do.
Our history
We’ve been working for more than thirteen years, helping create safe spaces and communities, in authentically welcoming churches, where Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, & Asexual (LGBTQIA) people + their families and friends can belong happily and in peace.
We’ve seen phenomenal growth, from six people at our first gathering in 2008 to 20 communities across England and Wales supporting hundreds of people today, and more to come, with your help. Read more.
Our work
We've worked harder than ever during lockdown!
We became a registered charity.
We supported more lonely, hurting LGBTQIA+ people than ever.
We heard from more churches wanting to join our Network than ever.
We researched our impact on our members’ mental well-being. Our project title comes from that research:
“Open Table means everything to me. It has truly saved me.”
Gail's quote is one of the many on our website about the difference we make.
Read more about the impact we've seen in the past year.
Our problem
It’s make or break time - We’re running out of money.
We only have seven weeks left to keep going. We grew so much at the height of the pandemic that we’re now over-run with requests, questions and cries for help. And we try very, very hard never to turn anyone away.
But we’re a brand new charity. That means that many big funders won’t fund us to a large extent straight away.
WATCH our video about the difference an Open Table community makes [3 mins]
We need to raise £10,000 in the next six weeks - This will keep us going for the next four months while we work hard on more funding bids to secure support for our communities for the long-term.
This crowdfunder runs until midday on Monday 22nd November. If you value the the Open Table Network please share, and give if you are able. Any pledges made won't be charged until on or after 22nd November.
Thank you for #ComingOutForOpenTable!
