We are the Open Table Network (OTN) - a growing partnership of communities across England & Wales which welcome and affirm people who are: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, & Asexual (LGBTQIA) + our families, friends & anyone who wants to belong in an accepting, loving community. As more people hear of us, there’s much more work to do.
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Total raised so far £5,441
+ est. £903.50
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Too many LGBTQIA+ people of faith are longing for a safe space to belong and find genuine welcome and acceptance.
As demand for Open Table communities increases, there’s much more work to do.
A gift from you today helps to answer the call of isolated members of our communities who need to know they are not alone, and that they are loved.
- Launch of Open Table community in Bristol, September 2022
History of OTN
For more than 15 years, OTN has been helping to create safe spaces and communities, in authentically welcoming churches, where Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, & Asexual (LGBTQIA) people + our families and friends can belong happily and in peace.
OTN has seen phenomenal growth, from six people at our first gathering in 2008 to 36 communities across England and Wales supporting thousands of people today, and more to come, with your help. READ MORE.
- Launch of Open Table community in London Waterloo, October 2022
Impact of OTN
- OTN became a registered charity in 2021.
- Independent researchpublished in 2021 shows:
- Our members experienced a 40% improvement in well-being after joining an Open Table community
- 9 out of 10 members said being part of an Open Table community increased their sense of belonging.
- In 2022, we held consultations with 18 churches, launched 10 new communities, and received enquiries from more than 30 other churches about how to make their communities more welcoming, inclusive and affirming for LGBTQIA+ people.
- Launch of Open Table community in Taunton, November 2022
'Open Table means everything to me.
It has truly saved me.'
- Gail, Open Table Warrington
Gail's quote is one of the many on the OTN website about the difference belonging in an Open Table community makes.
READ MORE of OTN's impact in 2022 in our annual report.
- Open Table has hosted Pride services at Liverpool Cathedral since 2018.
How you can get involved
OTN has grown so much that we’re now over-run with requests, questions and cries for help. We never want to turn anyone away - your support will help us achieve this.
As OTN continues to grow, so are the costs of establishing new communities and sustaining established communities.
- A British Sign Language interpreter helps to make a service more accessible.
A gift from you today could help provide a safe space for an isolated LGBTQIA+ person. With your support, we can continue to be there for even more LGBTQIA+ people struggling to reconcile their faith with their LGBTQIA+ identities, and offer everyone a safe sacred space to belong.
- Training for Open Table volunteers, May 2022
If you value the Open Table Network please share, and give if you are able.
Kieran & Warren, founding members of the first Open Table community, at Pride.
