Birmingham Methodist Church Accused of Silencing LGBTQ+ Congregation After Sexual Assault Allegations

 

The Methodist Church in Birmingham is facing accusations of silencing and marginalizing members of an LGBTQ+ congregation following the arrest of a man on suspicion of sexual assault. The man, who held a senior role within Inclusive Gathering Birmingham (IGB), was arrested in November after several former members alleged that they had been subjected to inappropriate touching, groping, and harassment during church services and social events.

The allegations, which were made by multiple individuals within the church, suggest that their complaints about the accused were not properly addressed, leading to frustration and distress. The victims claim that despite raising their concerns, they were often ignored or told their experiences were simply “misunderstandings.” Furthermore, they report feeling alienated from the church community after being excluded from activities and communications, which left them feeling vulnerable.

Matthew Lloyd, a former member of IGB and advocate for the alleged victims, has called for an apology from IGB, the Birmingham Methodist district, and the national Methodist church. Lloyd criticized IGB for failing to show adequate understanding of the LGBTQ+ Christians it had attracted, many of whom had previously suffered spiritual abuse in other churches.

One alleged victim described being removed from online church groups and told to delete contacts made through the church, which they claimed was part of a broader pattern of exclusion. “We were blocked on everything, taken out of groups – they effectively cut us off and silenced us,” the victim said.

In response, the Birmingham Methodist Church denied the allegations, stating that all concerns were taken seriously and thoroughly investigated by district safeguarding officers from January 2024. The church said appropriate actions were taken at each stage to safeguard the community. They also emphasized that no one was removed from church communications or volunteer positions before April 28, when church services were paused.

The accused individual was removed from their role, and a safeguarding investigation conducted by the Birmingham Methodist district concluded in June, finding no ongoing risk in relation to the original allegations. However, several victims have called for an independent review of the investigation, citing dissatisfaction with how it was handled and a lack of transparency.

IGB, which was founded in 2017 as an LGBTQIA+ affirming church, has yet to resume public gatherings, citing the emotional distress and harm caused by the situation. The church stated it is committed to supporting the pastor and community members as they work to process the events and rebuild their community.

The controversy has sparked wider discussions about the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals within religious institutions and the importance of ensuring that complaints are taken seriously and handled with transparency and care.