Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 28 February 2021

A CHURCH based on Station Road in Hinckley have celebrated LGBT+ History Month virtually this year by holding a digital service.

St. Mary’s Church, who are members of the Inclusive Church Network, have held a virtual half-hour video service for LGBT+ History Month which takes place annually throughout the entire month of February.

The service, available on video-sharing site YouTube, features songs, poems, hymns, readings, and prayers from members of the LGBT+ community and those working at the Church.

One of the first songs performed at the behind-closed-doors event was “We Will Break Down Dividing Walls”.

Just a few highlights of the events include a poem titled “Boxes” being read, and a member from the Inclusive Church Collect delivering a message to viewers.

Holding services for this event is a common occurrence each year for St. Mary’s.

A spokesperson for the Church explained in the opening to the video: “If there was no lockdown, we would have held a service of some sort in Church this year, to remember and celebrate differences, diversity, and inclusivity.”

Mathew Hulbert, a Barwell-based LGBT+ Rights Campaigner, gave a talk as part of the virtual service.

He said: “I am so honoured and humbled to have been asked to speak as part of this service.

“My message is that love is love and God’s love is for everyone, including LGBT+ people.

“I’m so proud that St Mary’s is an inclusive church and celebrates diversity and difference and this service marking LGBT History Month is a great way of showing that in practice.”

The full service can be viewed via video link, here on YouTube.