I was ordained in the Metropolitan Community Churches - an explicitly LGBTQ+ affirming church - so it’s an important part of my work to make people aware of the existence of LGBTQ+ people of faith and the particular issues we might face.
Role models have been really important to me in learning to be myself; as a young queer person I was afraid of what that might mean for my faith journey and community, so being able to find other people who were out and still engaging theologically and spiritually with God and the Church has helped to shape my life and make me a more confident person.
Outside Brookes, I speak regularly on queer and feminist theologies and mental health, especially the way that experiences of oppression and societal pressure affect the mental health of queer people. I have had some really exciting opportunities to do this, including on the Guilty Feminist podcast. When I’m not doing that I play the flute with Aylesbury Concert Band and was a founding member of London Gay Symphonic Winds.
My experience of being out at Brookes has been a really positive one - people are sometimes surprised to find a married queer priest in the Multifaith Chaplaincy office but it’s a good conversation-starter. I have found Brookes to be a very affirming workplace in which people are always willing to learn and to do better. Events like Trans Day of Remembrance and the month-long programme for LGBTQ+ History Month help to bring the LGBTQ+ communities and our allies together.
If you are considering joining us at Brookes, you will find a community that embraces its diversity and seeks to do its best for staff and students alike. The support is second to none and for those with additional needs, colleagues in Wellbeing and Occupational Health are available for support.
“My experience of being out at Brookes has been a really positive one - people are sometimes surprised to find a married queer priest in the Multifaith Chaplaincy office but it’s a good conversation-starter.”
Rev. Kate Harford (Rev., she/her)
University Chaplain and Pastoral Care Lead
- kate.harford@brookes.ac.uk
- +44 (0)1865 484690 (Multifaith Chaplaincy office)
