Two Peters: Help Same-Sex Couple Return to Church

Help same-sex married couple, Peter Sanders and Peter Grace, take legal action for being turned away from small Anglican church in regional NSW. They were told they're unable to return to their roles unless they separate, live celibately and undertake religious counselling.

 

The Two Peters:

Peter Sanders felt he had found a home and new family when he joined St Mary’s Anglican Church, West Armidale several years ago.

 

Welcomed by the congregation, Peter brought joy, friendship and support to many through his roles at the Church as organist and Director of Music. Last year, Peter married his partner Peter Grace in accordance with the Marriage Act and Peter's husband joined the organising committee for St Mary’s 125th anniversary.

 

But in April this year, the Dean of St Peter's Cathedral, Armidale, instructed the Management Committee of St Mary’s Church to tell these two lovely men, our dear friends, that Peter Sanders’ role as organist and music director was terminated unless the Peters ended their marriage, separated and lived celibately.

 

The two Peters cannot accept these conditions, and an overwhelming majority of the congregation stand with them.

 

They have brought nothing but happiness, love, and care to St Mary's. We value them as friends and fellow parishioners, totally reject the Church's discrimination against them and could not bear to see their loving marriage ended.

 

Legal Action:

Numerous attempts at dialogue and negotiation have been rejected by the Anglican Diocese of Armidale. With no other option, Peter Sanders has engaged the services of national law firm Mills Oakley to make a complaint to the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board against unlawful discrimination.

 

This fundraiser will support the Peters’ legal costs, expenses and disbursements. For transparency and accountability, all funds raised will be held in the Mills Oakley legal trust account for all proceedings. At the conclusion of the case, any excess raised will be donated to charity.

 

Community support:

Over 18,000 people have signed a Change.org petition calling for the Two Peters to return to the church - you can sign the petition here .

 

We are just a small congregation in West Armidale, but we cannot stand by and allow dear friends to be turned away simply because of who they are and who they love.

 

We know times are tough, a little support will go a long way in supporting the Two Peters and broader LGBTQ+ community. Please support us.

 

Thank you - Members of St Mary’s congregation, Armidale.