A CHURCH in Dursley has become the latest church in the area to allow same sex marriage ceremonies.
Dursley Methodist Church has officially registered for same sex marriages along with Cam Methodist Church and Wotton United Church.
It's been an ongoing subject at the Methodist Church nationally for the last 30 plus years with members and ministers debating the topic at yearly conferences.
It comes after a local same-sex couple made history in Cam and Dursley marrying at the Quarry Chapel in October last year.
Revd Phil Summers, who has been at Dursley Methodist Church for 10 years, said: “It’s been a tough old journey to get to this point.
“We’ve always disagreed on all sorts of stuff as a national church.
“From a point of justice it's just not right that we weren’t allowing same sex marriages.
“We were making people feel unwelcome.
“And making people feel uncomfortable with themselves and in conflict with their own religion.
“Every church across the country and in Gloucestershire can opt in and out.
“Dursley Methodist Church opting in is a legacy we want to celebrate.
“I don’t know how we can make up for all of the hurt over the centuries.
“People were coming up to me saying I hated the LGBTQ+ community but I didn’t.
“I was having to defend things I don’t represent before we opted in.
“But I can now hold my head high. I can be true to myself when I’m speaking publicly. I’m proud.
“We haven’t got through all of the paperwork officially just yet, but if someone was to ring me asking for a wedding I’d find a way to get them in asap.
“People have been asking me why we haven’t done this sooner.”
Among those welcoming the news is Dursley Pride chairperson Tyler White.
He said: “I'm really pleased that our local churches are welcoming same sex marriage.
“It shows that our community is making steps in the right direction to include LGBTQIA+ people.”
Meanwhile, organisers from Dursley Pride have been dressing up as colourful inflatable unicorns and popping up at various events across the district in support of this year's event.
To celebrate the news they have recently visited Dursley Methodist Church.
Dursley celebrated its first ever pride in August last year and this year's event is due to take place on Saturday, September 23.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here