Anglican Mainstream is a conservative international religious network led by members of the Church of England.
It has attracted controversy primarily because of its positions on LGBT issues. It has opposed the blessing of same-sex relationships and changes to Anglican teaching on sexuality, and it has published material supporting traditional Christian views of marriage while criticizing contemporary understandings of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Background
Anglican Mainstream was established in 2004 in response to disputes within the worldwide Anglican Communion over human sexuality, biblical authority, and church doctrine. It is part of the Anglican realignment movement that followed the 2003 consecration of Gene Robinson, the Episcopal Church’s first openly gay bishop.
Anglican Mainstream is a network of international organizations:
- Anglican Mainstream UK
- The American Anglican Council
- Anglican Communion in New Westminster
- The Essentials Federation and Network in Canada
- The Anglican Communion Institute
- Anglican Mainstream South Africa
Anglican Mainstream launched a website (anglican-mainstream.net) in 2005.
In 2012, in response to LGBT-affirming ads by Stonewall, Anglican Mainstream was part of a coalition of Christian groups which sought to run London bus ads that said “Not gay! Post-gay, ex-gay and proud. Get over it!” The ads were banned by mayor of London mayor Boris Johnson.
Anglican Mainstream UK
Anglican Mainstream UK is a member of the conservative Church of England Evangelical Council and frequently works in partnership with other British member organizations, most notably the Church Society and Reform (which merged with the Church Society in 2018).
In 2014, Andrew Symes introduced a standalone website for Anglican Mainstream UK with a manifesto, noting that “Within the Church of England too the different ‘parties’ will continue to try to set out different visions of the way forward, to influence public opinion, both inside and outside the Church, to back policy direction over the next few months and years.” Symes suggested five areas of focus:
- Bible truth: ” To what extent will we continue to allow the Bible to shape our thinking, especially the next generation?”
- Gospel confidence: “Also, in the key battleground of division over sexuality, will Gospel churches have the confidence to proclaim the possibility of change and release from wrong patterns of life, as well as the forgiveness of sin and the power to resist temptation?”
- Compassionate care: “It can be assisted especially at leadership level by a strong biblical theology of suffering.”
- Cultural critique: “[Jesus] is concerned about what is being taught to children in school about ‘homophobic bullying’ and ‘safe sex’, what is happening in abortion clinics and Parliamentary discussions on euthanasia, how overseas aid is being spent, what the Police are doing about drugs and underage sex in our cities, the secular and pagan worldviews being promoted on TV, the freezing of freedom of speech, and so on.”
- Marriage advocacy: “This as we all know is a major issue of our time. Sexual violence, STD’s, the State-sponsored confusion about gender and sexuality, cohabitation, relationship breakdown and divorce and their effects on children are desperate problems throughout the world.”
Since 2014, Anglican Mainstream UK has posted hundreds of anti-trans blog posts, many of which are repulished or summarized from other sources.
In a 2016 post, Symes wrote, “It may be that some Christians have a particular calling to focus on evangelism and pastoral care within churches, but this cannot be seen as the only valid Christian response to Transgender, as if the stumbling of truth in the streets is not our concern. To speak prophetically to society about wrong thinking, and to care compassionately for individuals caught up in it, is not a contradiction, but two vital aspects of the church’s ministry.” Symes recommended two anti-trans books: The Flesh Made Word by Daniel Moody and Transgender by Vaughan Roberts.
People
Trustees (UK)
- Sarah Rosemary Ann Finch
- Rebecca Claire Hunt
- William Bryn “Will” Jones
- Andrew Roy Presland
- Christopher Michael Neville “Chris” Sugden
- Roderick Charles Howell Thomas
Contributors (UK)
- Vinay Aruldas
- Gavin Ashenden
- David Banting
- Nigel Biggar
- Oliver Bowring
- Martin Davie
- Dave Doveton
- Philip Giddings
- Andrew Goddard
- Rollin Grams
- Will Jones
- Julian Mann
- Lisa Nolland
- Peter Ould
- Ian Paul
- Vinay Samuel
- Chris Sugden
- Andrew Symes [editor]
- David Virtue
References
Duffy, Nick (December 30, 2015). BBC takes no action over interview linking homosexuality to child grooming. PinkNews https://www.thepinknews.com/2015/12/30/bbc-takes-no-action-over-interview-linking-homosexuality-to-child-grooming/
Roberts, Scott (January 10, 2014). Anglican Mainstream: God would be opposed to banning gay conversion therapy. PinkNews https://www.thepinknews.com/2014/01/10/anglican-mainstream-god-would-be-opposed-to-banning-gay-conversion-therapy/
Gray, Stephen (April 12, 2012). Transport for London bans ‘Some People are Ex-Gay! Get Over It’ adverts after Mayor Boris Johnson intervenes. PinkNews https://www.thepinknews.com/2012/04/12/transport-for-london-bans-some-people-are-ex-gay-get-over-it-adverts/
Gray, Stephen (April 12, 2012). Religious groups respond to Stonewall with ‘Ex-Gay, Get Over It’ London bus adverts. PinkNews https://www.thepinknews.com/2012/04/12/religious-groups-respond-to-stonewall-with-ex-gay-get-over-it-london-bus-adverts/
Selected publications
Staff report (January 28, 2026). PETITION: Stop Criminalising Biological Truth! Reject the Radical Gender Ideology Resolution. Anglican Mainstream https://anglicanmainstream.org/article/stop-criminalising-biological-truth-reject-the-radical-gender-ideology-resolution/
Doveton, Dave (May 15, 2024). The war on reality. Anglican Mainstream https://anglicanmainstream.org/editorial/the-war-on-reality/
Symes, Andrew (October 25, 2016). Transgender: pastoral and prophetic responses. Anglican Mainstream https://anglicanmainstream.org/transgender-pastoral-and-prophetic-responses/ [archive]
Symes, Andrew (2014). Manifesto. Anglican Mainstream http://anglicanmainstream.org/manifesto/ [not archived; available here]
Resources
Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
Anglican Mainstream (anglicanmainstream.org)
- Transgender
- anglicanmainstream.org/?s=transgender
Church Society (churchsociety.org)
Anglican Mainstream (anglican-mainstream.net) [archive]
UK Register of Charities (register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk)
- Anglican Mainstream
- register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4017973