I become a member of St. Augustine's United Reform Church

 On 22 nd October 2023, Rev Fiona Bennett welcomed me into membership of St, Augustine's United Reform Church on George 1V Bridge Edinburgh. It made me feel resurrected at a time of sickness. When I returned home with Julie, I was deeply grieved to learn that my dear friend the Church of Scotland LGBT activist Jim Liddle had passed away. He was a hero to us all.

Jim Liddle, leading Christian LGBT Activist

by Tom Leonard

In 1974, Jim Liddle, then an 18 year old former Sunday School Teacher concerned about his gay orientation, was told by a group of Christian fundamentalists that he needed to be healed.

Jim approached the Church of Scotland instead, but found only an embarrassed silence when he tried to discuss his feelings. These experiences caused him to suffer a nervous breakdown shortly afterwards. Jim was later to become a leading Christian LGBT activist in Edinburgh and a dynamic and dedicated social worker.

Jim came out as openly gay in 1983 and sought solace in his strongly grounded Christian faith, along with the affirming love and support of family and friends. When he visited the gay bars, he discovered that

While the LGBT scene can be a place of connection, its superficial dynamics limit the scope for building a network of support for the individual. This needs to be nurtured outwith the scene.

Jim travelled around churches and youth clubs in Lothian holding workshops and meetings on behalf of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM). In 1995 he said, “Everywhere I go I find people in crisis because their sexuality has been swept under the carpet. We’re told that the Truth will set us free, but then we’re told to hide the truth about ourselves in a way that is not healthy.”

During the years (1989-1993) that Jim was convenor of the Edinburgh branch of LGCM he developed an outreach of ecumenical work with clergy and churches in looking at neglected sensitive LGBT pastoral issues throughout Edinburgh. This enabled many people to be made aware of churches where they would be made welcome and affirmed. In total, a network of 60 churches were identified.

The members of Outright Scotland (including Jim ) had been working quietly away throughout the 1990s, and the Equality Network charitable organization , an official wing of the LGBT consortium, undoubtedly also played a role concerning the repeal of Section 28.

Jim sometimes assumes an alternative persona while reading comical poetry or Prayers to the People to the congregation at Broughton St. Mary’s. Jim’s amusing performances frequently enhance the traditional COS Sunday Morning Service.

There is much more to be said about Jim. Seven pages of my history are devoted to him.