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Lesbian rabbi, trans priest and gay imam to lead diversity class for schoolchildren

The event is being organised as part of School Diversity Week

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A lesbian rabbi will deliver an online masterclass to school pupils across the UK next week, discussing what life is like as an LGBT+ person of faith. 

Alongside a gay imam, a trans priest, BBC journalist Evan Davis and Lord Michael Cashman, Anna Posner will discuss the challenges and joys of being LGBT+ in religious communities and institutions. 

Rabbi Posner was ordained as a rabbi last summer and currently serves a progressive synagogue in central London and Norwich. 

The masterclass, which is being recorded as part of School Diversity Week, will be free for pupils aged 11 to 16 to view.

School Diversity Week is celebrated during pride month by thousands of schools across the UK.

This year the occasion comes as new research from charity Just Like Us found that LGBT+ young people are twice as likely their peers to experience depression, anxiety and panic attacks.

Rabbi Posner told the JC: “It’s really important we have these kinds of conversations. A lot of people and students when they think of religion think of the LGBT+ community being excluded.

“For thousands of students to know that there’s an imam, a priest and a rabbi who are saying actually you’re ok – that’s a really important message to hear.

“It is possible to be religious and LGBT+ - you can have both of those identities together.”  

 

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