A GROUP set up 30 years ago to offer a safe haven for gay Christians has celebrated its anniversary this week.

Although gay sex in private had been decriminalised in 1967, the treatment of homosexual people was a far cry from equality, when Peter Martin decided he need to do something to represent the Christian gay community.

Peter, who was a headteacher, knew he had to speak out and from his living room he created the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM).

The organisation became a safe haven where people could worship without judgement.

This did not come without difficulties,  and in 1981 the first UK case of AIDS was recorded when a 49-year-old man was admitted to a London Hospital.

He died ten days later.

This was the start of an epidemic - a disease that would be attached to the community for decades.

Peter received threatening and malicious letters stating he was a ‘bad person’ and that ‘God did not approve of him’.

This did not discourage the group’s convener and over the last three decades the organisation has become a safe refuge for people leading an alternative lifestyle in the city.

In 1981, very few churches are accepting of people from the LGBT+ community and those that were, many felt set ‘preconditions’.

Now 30 years later the LGCM will be officially renamed in celebration of the group’s anniversary by Anglican Bishop Jonathan becoming LGBT+ Christians, Southampton and Around.

The mayor of Southampton, Cllr Cathie McEwing, attended the festivities at St Alban’s Church on Tulip Road last night.

The evening included a presentation entitled Welcome by World stage.

While the celebratory service focuses on LGBT+ people, it also embraces other areas such as ethnicity, gender, poverty, disablement where inclusion has still a long way to go.

Steven said: “I feel encourage but I know there is work to be done.

“I feel very honoured that St Albans will be hosting the event.

“Although many people have different beliefs, it’s important that we can discuss them in a safe environment.

“I hope that one day organisation like this will not be needed, but at the moment we still have a way to go.”