The intersection between faith and sexual identity was the focus of a Casey Multi-Faith Network event last week.
Attracting about 30 audience member and held on Thursday 18 May in collaboration with the Casey Rainbow Network and the Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council, the speakers during the event were Melbourne-based writer Alushka Rajaram, Brave Network Melbourne founder Nathan Despott and Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council vice-president Alexander Teh.
Casey Rainbow Community volunteer co-facilitator Jobi Petty said it was important to understand the relationship between faith and other parts of one’s identity.
“It’s easy to forget faith is a huge component of people’s lives,” she said.
“This would be the most energetic LGBTQIA+ event since Midsumma.”
Casey Multi-Faith Network president Kasuni Mendis said the event was another step towards creating peace and harmony.
“We believe that our community can co-exist as one, if we take the time to understand who each of us are and what makes us who we are, even if we might not agree with every and all ways of life, thought or beliefs,” she said.
“This inclusivity extends to people from other marginalised communities, such as the LGBTIQA+ community who often face similar means of discrimination and prejudice.
“We hope to be able to use these similarities to bridge the gap between multi-faith, multicultural and LGBTIQA+ communities.”
