Online, on Zoom, at https://surrey-ac.zoom.us/j/91858156657

Religious dogmas have served to foster homophobia throughout our history. In Cuernavaca, Morelos (Mexico), we have seen countless people with non-heteronormative sexual orientations being thrown out of their homes, beaten or killed because of their sexuality. This has prompted us to set up a religious association to neutralise attacks by other religions and therefore to diminish the suffering of people with different sexual preferences.

We saw the need to formalise a religious association in favour of the right to live one's chosen sexual orientation through a fair interpretation of the bible's message and access to a non-homophobic spiritual life. We formed a rebellious church in support of sexual diversity, parallel to the search for and defence of human rights. Fortunately, in the last 40 years there has been significant progress in relation to legislation in favour of sexual diversity. In addition, other events such as the AIDS pandemic, the H1N pandemic, Covid-19 and the increasing presence of homeless and migrant people passing through Cuernavaca have brought issues of homophobia and repression under the spotlight but also fostered our empathy for all kinds of suffering due to discrimination similar to what we experience as a sexually diverse community. Together with other groups, such as the Hermanas en la Sombra, we have taken concrete action towards meeting the needs of these discriminated groups, especially those of children and women. We have established a soup kitchen called "El Farolito" that provides free food for vulnerable people in the centre of Cuernavaca in the midst of this public health crisis. Our Church, since the pandemic, has gone digital and we hold memorials and masses through social media, fostering community through digital networks.

Outline of talk:

• Brief sketch of Dr. Alfonso Leijas' career in its many facets

• History of religious homophobia

• Diversity, a design of nature in adaptation and evolution

• An inclusive church

• La Colectiva Diversa, Juntos y Abrazados AC (The Diverse Collective, Together, Hand in Hand)

• Activities during the pandemic with homeless people and migrant families

Biography:

A Pharmacobiological Chemist by training, Dr Alfonso Leija Salas graduated from two Master's Degrees, an M. in Sciences (U. A. de Guanajuato) in 1985 and another M. in New Information Technology (UNID, Cuernavaca) in 2015, obtained a PhD in Basic Biomedical Research (UNAM) and graduated as a Doctor in Pharmacy (U. Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, UAEM) in 2008. Dr. Leija was ordained in 1997 as Reverend of the Metropolitan Community Church and in 2008, he was ordained Bishop of the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe with apostolic succession by Bishop Ken Maley. He leads La Colectiva Diversa, Juntos y Abrazados AC in Cuernavaca, an association that in addition to offering religious services, carries out social service work, advocacy for LGBT+ populations and combating hatred based on sexual orientation and gender identity, working actively in the areas of human rights. It also carries out prevention activities, detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) as well as accompaniment and food delivery for people living with the virus. The association has been an active player in major events that have arisen over the years, such as the indigenous insurgency and the Zapatista Army of National Liberation, the earthquake with epicentre in Jojutla, Mor. and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic, opening the soup kitchen El Farolito in the centre of Cuernavaca, and together with other organisations such as Hermanas en la sombra, and Morelos solidario, they share food with people living on the streets and with migrants from other countries.

Diversity and mobility, God's design. Talk and Q&A

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