People attracted mainly to the same sex have made a major contribution to the life of the church through the ages, and in recent decades have become more visible.  In many countries, including England, there has been growing acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people, and awareness of the damage done by prejudice and discrimination.

Debates around the theology of sexuality have, for the past half-century or so, focused largely on gender and homosexuality.  Numerous scholars have contributed to this.  Church historians, too, have considered the meaning of same-sex intimacy among Christians in mediaeval times and before. 

Scripture, tradition and reason have been crucial in addressing the opportunities and challenges arising from the diversity in creation.

In the past couple of decades, some church leaders have taken up the issue of homosexuality as a test-case for whether their particular view of what the Bible teaches can be imposed, in place of the traditional spiritual and theological diversity of the Anglican Communion.  There has been fierce opposition to appointing senior clergy who are open about being in same-sex partnerships, and calls to expel provinces which are too accepting.  Yet many Anglicans believe that unwillingness to include LGBT people as full members of the church, or even listen seriously to the arguments for inclusion, is contrary to the Gospel.

Through public statements, discussions with church leaders, gatherings and other means, Inclusive Church has been seeking to resist attempts to make the Anglican Communion more narrow and exclusive, and to promote serious study, dialogue and reflection.  Such work will continue and intensify in the run-up to the 2008 Lambeth Conference.