Entertainment
Sandi Toksvig reveals archbishop said same-sex marriage progress in Church of England will be ‘glacial’-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro
She encouraged him to ‘come out for love.’
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Sandi Toksvig met with Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, to discuss the church’s position on LGBTQ+ rights.
The former Great British Bake Off host, 64, spoke out last year, expressing her disappointment after the archbishop reaffirmed the validity of a 1998 declaration by the church, declaring that gay sex was a sin.
More recently, he stated that he welcomed the Church of England’s proposals to bless same-sex married couples, despite the fact that the law prevents ministers of the Church of England from carrying out same-sex marriages.
However, the archbishop himself said he would not personally carry out blessings due to his ‘pastoral relationship for the whole communion.’
Taking it upon herself to create change, Sandi shared a video in which she encouraged the archbishop to ‘come out for love.’
Sharing an update on social media, she began: ‘Hello there, yesterday I went to have coffee, tea actually, with the Archbishop of Canterbury – not a sentence I ever thought would come out of my mouth.
Sandi Toksvig met with the Archbishop of Canterbury to encourage him to ‘come out for love’ (Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
‘We had agreed to such an unusual meeting following my public expression of distress last year when Justin, the Archbishop, reaffirmed the validity of a 1998 declaration by the church that gay sex is a sin.
‘Given the state of the world, I felt all the many bishops might have better things to talk about. Anyway, from our very calm and considered conversation yesterday, it is very clear that the state Church of England and the society it purports to represent are not remotely in step.’
Sandi added: ‘Justin was keen for me to see that they are moving forward but conceded that any progress, as I would see it, if it happens at all, will be glacial.
‘It was very clear that opposing fractions of the worldwide Anglican Communion are being, in part, held together at the expense of human rights of the LGBT+ community.’
Justin Welby said progress for same-sex marriage in the church will be ‘glacial’ (Picture: PA)
She stated that this is ‘not ok’ and she told this to the archbishop.
‘I asked Justin if he could just come out,’ she continued, before clarifying: ‘I don’t mean make a surprise announcement about his sexuality, but come out as a gay ally. Basically, to come out for love. Love for all, without exceptions, and not the current Orwellian position where it would seem we are all created equal, but some are more equal than others.’
While she ‘hopes that will happen,’ the TV star does not ‘intend to wait upon the church.’
She concluded: ‘In the next few weeks, I will be reaching out to the LGBT+ community and all our allies to see what can be done. The present position is untenable. In the meantime, please, let’s all come out for love.’
Sandi told the archbishop that the church’s current stance on LGBTQ+ rights is ‘not ok’ (Picture: Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images)
Sandi and Debbie entered a civil partnership in 2007 (Picture: Mike Marsland/WireImage)
The Danish-British writer was met with a wealth of support, with plenty offering their voices and sharing her frustration.
‘Does seem odd that if you are a gay Christian you can’t be married in church, but if you are a straight atheist you can,’ one tweeted.
‘I have always admired you for standing up for others and even more so right now. I stand with you. Thanks for all you do xx’, replied another.
Sandi has made no secret of her own relationships as, in 2007, she and partner Debbie Toksvig, a psychotherapist, entered into a civil partnership.
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The couple later renewed their vows on March 29, 2014 – the day that same-sex marriage was legalised in England and Wales.
Before her marriage to Debbie, Sandi was in a 15-year relationship with Peta Stewart.
They separated in 1997, but remain close today.
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