Impact case study database

Despite being a British Overseas Territory, same sex couples in the Cayman Islands (approximately 65,000 residents) do not have the same legal rights as non-LGBT+ residents, including marriage only being recognised between a man and a woman. The Cayman Human Rights Commission in written evidence to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Inquiry on the future of the UK Overseas Territories (2019), outlined a culture of ‘homophobic attitudes within sections of the legislature in the Cayman Islands and vocal sections of the community (particularly some of the churches)’ which ‘has a potent and pernicious impact’. The Commission continued to detail a debate which took place in the Cayman Island’s Legislative Assembly in 2015, where statements were made that equated homosexuality with bestiality and paedophilia, claimed that homosexuality was ‘deviant behaviour’, ‘wicked and immoral’ and a ‘social and moral evil’, and personal threats of violence were made towards homosexuals. Against this background, in 2016 the 7^th Queering Paradigms conference (QP7) was held in the Cayman Islands, following local Caymanian activists approaching Scherer. The academic programme for QP7 explored queerness in the Caribbean socio-legal context, and featured high profile speakers including: Jamaican LGBT activist Maurice Tomlinson; Professor Eugenio Raúl Zaffaroni, Justice of the Inter American Court of Human Rights; and The Rt Rvd Dr. Alan Wilson (Bishop of Buckingham), who addressed the vocal Christian opposition to LGBT+ rights in the Caribbean. Raznovich, who had maintained close links with QP as a Senior Visiting Research Fellow, spoke on his own legal challenge to gain residency in the Cayman Islands based on his same sex marital status. QP7 shaped public, religious and political debate, contributed to a wider public understanding and awareness of LGBT+ rights in the Caymans, and formed part of the wider movement towards legal change in the islands.

Influencing public debate and raising awareness and understanding of LGBT+ rights in the Cayman Islands. The significance of the issues addressed by QP7 is given by widespread media coverage of the conference within the Caymans. Prior to the conference, The Cayman Compass and The Cayman Reporter (31 March 2016) reported on QP7’s ambition to draw attention to human rights and sexuality in the region, and the Cayman News Service detailed Rt Rvd. Dr Alan Wilson’s forthcoming contribution to the conference (4 April 2016). Cayman 27 (Cayman’s only local TV news channel), reported on opposition to the conference from within the Cayman Island’s Legislative Assembly (18 April 2016), and covered the fundraising dinner for QP7 (29 April 2016). In the week before QP7, local media attention intensified with coverage on Radio Cayman One; Cayman 27; Cayman Compass; and Cayman News Service (all 6 June 2016). The following day, QP7 was included in a report on Cayman 27 about same sex marriage, alongside comments from Raznovich, and The Cayman Compass published two articles reporting on the opposition faced by the conference. There were nearly 40 media items linked to QP7 in 2016, with the conference featuring on news channel Cayman 27 seven times between 6-16 June. The volume of comments online articles attracted was notable. The Cayman News Service averaged over 100 comments per article, articulating the polarised nature of debate on LGBT+ rights in the Caymans. [5.1]

The conference organisers were clear that all were welcome to attend, an opportunity taken by resident Velma Herod. Cayman 27 reported how ‘One self-described Christian Caymanian told Cayman 27 she looked to her faith for the answer. “For years I’ve been hearing that this island is a God-fearing place, so why, what is the hatred, why do you hate these people, why? You cannot hate,” said Velma Herod. She told Cayman 27 that discrimination against the LGBT community, and hatred of any sort, is out of step with the words of her savior. […] Before her attendance […] Ms. Herod said she never met an LGBT+ person. […] Ms. Herod said she comes away from queering paradigms with a better understanding of why same sex marriage is such an important human rights issue.’ [5.1]

Contributing to debate within the Christian community in the region and beyond. The conference attracted opposition from sections of the Christian community in the Cayman Islands. On 18 May 2016, an open letter was sent on behalf of the Cayman Ministers’ Association and the Cayman Islands Conference of the Seventh Day Adventists to HM Governor of the Cayman Islands. They stated they were ‘deeply concerned that your office has publicly been associated with the planned June 11–12, 2016 “Queering Paradigms” conference sponsored by Canterbury Christ Church University, UK […] We are concerned that […] [it] appears clearly to have been promoted with the objective of undermining the traditional Judeo-Christian values of the vast majority of Caymanian residents […] Our feeling, however, is that there is an inherent conflict of interest involved when the holder of the Office of Governor appears to be supportive of a socio-ethical position that will be as divisive as those that have already polarised our legislature’. Mr V. Arden Mclean MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly), reported on the letter in the Legislative Assembly (LA) on the 6 June 2016 [5.2].

Following from this, an open letter (7 June 2016) published in the Cayman Compass from the Pastors of the Cayman Ministers Association expressed ‘grave concern’ over the conference ‘by an entity called “Queering Paradigms” under the sponsorship of Canterbury Christ Church University in the UK’. They concluded that ‘we call on the people of the Cayman Islands to stand strong in your defence of our biblical Christian position on morality and family – but to do more than stand. Express your concern to those in authority, making it clear that you also consider this recent development to be an affront to your values and the social health of our islands […] there is a war being waged against our biblical, Christian values relating to marriage and family life.’ [5.3] Coverage of QP7 also extended discussion of LGBT+ rights in the region to the wider Christian community. An article from the Cayman News Service was reposted by Anglican Mainstream on 5 April 2016, which published a further article about QP7 on 8 June 2016. The conference and the contribution being made by the Bishop of Buckingham was the subject of articles and comment on US outlets such as Episcopal Café (8 June 2016) and Juicy Ecumenism (27 June 2016), and featured on Religious Dispatches (13 June 2016), and Virtue Online (21 June 2016), who also reposted the Juicy Ecumenism article [5.1].

Influence on political debate and contribution to a move towards legal change. QP7 was a catalyst for further debate in the Cayman Island’s Legislative Assembly (LA), documented in the Island’s Official Hansard Report and the media. Cayman 27 reported that Anthony S. Eden, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), had claimed in relation to QP7 that ‘Cayman’s way of life is at risk’ and ‘urged community members to stand up for the country’s traditional values.’ (18 April 2016) [5.1] On 2 June 2016 in the LA, Eden referred to the conference and his meeting (alongside 8 of his colleagues) with the Executive of the Pastors of the Cayman Ministers’ Association and with Pastors of the Seventh Day Adventists Faith ‘to express our concerns of foreign elements seeming to want us to change our marriage law and Constitution to allow same sex marriage or unions (or whatever they want to call it).’ [5.4] On 3 June 2016, Opposition Leader W. McKeeva Bush referenced QP7 whilst speaking in the LA criticising what he saw as the position of the Governor of the Cayman Islands, ‘I ponder why it is the Governor is taking her precious time to give credence and stir up more controversy of opening now the LGBT conference. The churches in this country are now going to have to stand in the gap […] I do hope that Her Majesty’s representative in this country will think a little bit about the desires of the vast majority of the people of these Islands.’ Bush concluded by raising the issue of a referendum on same sex unions. [5.5] Premier Alden McLaughlin responded to these comments by ruling out a referendum and noting, ‘we have a Bill of Rights that is part of our Constitution, which expressly prohibits discrimination on a range of issues, including, as the case law has interpreted the section, sexual orientation. And we are also bound by the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights which is in similar terms’. [5.6] Further evidence of debate related to QP7 is given by the conference featuring in the Cayman Human Right’s Commission Annual Report (2016) which stated that it ‘highlighted the stigma and discrimination that the LGBT+ community are faced with on a regular basis.’ [5.7]

QP7 formed part of the wider movement towards legal change in the Cayman Islands. Conference attendee Gerardo Ochoa-Vargas described it as a ‘watershed event’ for the island [5.8]; one of the local organisers of QP7, Olivia Connelly, commented that it was a ‘way to continue to build on the momentum’ that had been developing in the Cayman Islands for LGBT+ rights [5.1], and Raznovich described QP7 as ‘a milestone for change in the Cayman Islands’ [5.8]. Following QP7, in July 2016, Raznovich won his legal battle to be granted residency in the Caymans based on his same sex marital status and continued campaigning for further legal change. In March 2019 following a lawsuit filed by a Caymanian-British same sex couple, the Cayman’s Grand Court granted the couple the right to marry. The Court of Appeal later reversed the decision but specified that the territory should offer unions which had a ‘legal status equivalent to marriage.’ The resulting Domestic Partnership Bill was narrowly defeated in the Legislative Assembly in July 2020. In August 2020 the UK Government made a rare intervention into Cayman Islands politics, as they were left ‘with no option but to act to uphold the law.’ Renamed the Civil Partnership Bill, the bill was assented into law in September 2020, enabling same sex couple to enter into a legally recognised union in the Cayman Islands. This, alongside 11 additional pieces of legislation, also provided access to other rights enjoyed by married couples in the Caymans, previously unavailable to the LGBT+ community. [5.8]

Impact is underpinned by insights developed through an exploration of theology and culture (‘theopraxis’); and ‘colonial Christianity’ and its relationship to apoliticism and anti-intellectualism. The latter encompasses the promotion of a more critical approach to theological education and greater political and social engagement within the Black Pentecostal Church. These insights have resulted in contributions to the BBC’s religious programming; influenced debate and discourse in relation to contemporary Christianity, and approaches to theological education; and promoted increased political and social engagement.

Impact on media production, including co-production of TV and radio documentaries for the BBC’s religious programming. Beckford’s contributions to documentary films, radio productions and other religious content is to the benefit of programme makers, broadcasters and audiences. Committed to the exploration of theological ideas in the public domain, he contributed to a wide range of the BBC’s religious programming, including two documentary films, three radio documentaries, a 4-part radio play, as well as additional contributions to other BBC religious broadcasting (e.g. Songs of Praise, Thought for the Day, Sunday and Beyond Belief) [5.1]. Since 2014, Beckford has co-written and narrated two documentary films for the BBC, working in collaboration with the production team. BBC 2’s The Seven Wonders of Brazil (2014) [3.3] was screened on the 20 June 2014 against coverage of the FIFA World Cup held in Brazil, attracting 1,500,000 viewers, and repeated on BBC Two on 9 July 2014 and 6 March 2015. It is now available from PBS, an American public broadcaster and television programme distributor, and can be rented on Prime Video, with a version available on YouTube having over 66,000 views [5.2]. It was recommended viewing in What to Watch on TV Tonight in The Independent (20 June 2014) [5.3]. Viewers’ comments include ‘If you have any interest in Brazil culture […] you will love this documentary. I find it very informative and interesting, totally recommend’; ‘Visually appealing and informative. It was an interesting way to learn about the culture, history and community of the Brazilian people.’; and ‘I'm Brazilian, […] I thought [it] wonderful. Congrats for explain[ing] our culture to the other countries’ [5.4]. The Battle for Christianity (2016) [3.4] draws on Beckford’s understanding of contemporary Pentecostalism [3.1] [3.2] and analyses the factors changing the nature of Christianity in Britain. Watched by 1,200,000 people, it was part of the BBC’s Easter programming, shown on BBC1 on 22 March 2016 and repeated on BBC2 on 8 April 2016. The BBC’s press release states ‘this revealing film gets to the heart of what’s changing within Christianity in the UK. […] and provide evidence of a more committed, but potentially divided, future.’ The programme was reviewed in The Guardian (see below) and audience responses include: ‘Brilliant programme. Lots to think about’; ‘fascinating and respectful documentary’; ‘just simply insightful! So glad I stumbled on it tonight! Wow!’; and ‘illuminating and encouraging’. [5.4]

Inscribing theological ideas through popular culture as ‘Theology in Action’, Beckford has contributed across the spectrum of the BBC’s religious programming. Between 2015-2019 he made 20 contributions, including: Radio 4’s Thought for the Day (approximately 7,000,000) listeners weekly - 2018); Sunday, Radio 4’s weekly examination of current religious and ethical issues; and Sunday Worship. He presented Radio 4’s Beyond Belief on 6 occasions, (900,000 listeners weekly – Dec 2017), on topics relating to religion and popular culture. [5.1]. In 2016 he twice presented Songs of Praise, including an episode exploring the impact of the first black churches on Christianity in the UK, and reflected on the Magi as a symbol of social inclusion for the BBC Radio 3’s The Essay. In 2017 Jesus Piece (2017), a four-part drama for BBC Regions, was broadcast. This was developed from an original idea by Beckford [5.5] and examined social engagement and the Pentecostal Church. Documentaries written and presented for BBC World Service include Jamaican Bible Remixed (2017), Doping, Diving and God (2016), and The Divinity of Haile Selassie (2014). During the times of these broadcasts, BBC World Service had a weekly reach of between 1,300,000 and 1,500,000 in the UK and in 2016 its English service had a global weekly reach of 66,000,000.

Impact on discourse and debate in relation to contemporary Christianity in the UK. Beckford is one of the ‘leading Black Theologians in Britain’ (Baptist Times, 2015) and is influential in the Christian community. The Battle for Christianity [3.4] acted as a catalyst for debate around the changing nature of religion in the UK, against a backdrop of an increasingly secular society. In particular, it challenged the notion that Christianity is in decline in the UK and highlighted the tensions created by popular churches’ often hard-line views on issues such as gay rights and abortion. A review in The Guardian (23 Mar 2016) reflected on these tensions: ‘It was clear, however, that the real battle lies within, not without, the church; namely, how to navigate the tensions arising from the influx of Anglicans and Catholics from other countries over the past 10 years’. The documentary was the subject of a BBC blog (19 Mar 2016) and a comment piece in The Independent (18 Mar 2016) by the then Head of BBC Religion and Ethics, Aaqil Ahmed, who argued that rather than being in decline, Christianity in Britain was diversifying and growing, representing ‘a changing in the guard rather than a revolution.’ A further article by Media Editor Ian Burrell, The Independent (18 Mar 2016), highlighted the diversification of Christianity in the UK and outlined the inherent tensions. The documentary was also reviewed in Christian Today (21 Mar 2016) and Evangelical Times (May 2016). Beckford was interviewed on Premier Christian Radio about the film and debated the implications of the changing face of Christianity in the UK (22 Mar 2016). In a piece for the Theos website about the future of the UK Church (24 Mar 2016), Elizabeth Oldfield, Director of Christian think tank Theos welcomed the programme’s inclusion of ‘positive stories, rarely heard’ but concluded that ‘it can’t be said that we are (yet) seeing the UK church gloriously resurrected. […] But, as many of our lived experience, and this programme hinted, the church might have an exciting future.’ [5.6]

Beckford frequently contributes to events and debates in the Church and beyond, often speaking on ‘colonial Christianity’ and promoting greater educational, political and social engagement. Examples include: the Pentecostal Leaders’ Forum of Churches Together, National Theological Conference (2018), where his contribution was described as ‘controversial, insightful and extremely thought provoking’; the global Christian movement Justice Conference (2018); Youthscape’s National Youth Ministry Weekend (2018); and the Quakers National Gathering on Diversity and Inclusion (2019). In 2015 the National Church Leaders Forum (which brings together leaders of the African and Caribbean church in the UK) launched Black Church Political Mobilisation: A Manifesto for Action. The stimulus for the manifesto came from a seminar organised by Churches Together in England in July 2012, at which Beckford was a key speaker [5.7]. As articulated in Documentary as Exorcism [3.2], here Beckford challenged Black-led churches to demand greater social justice and increased political engagement, citing ‘colonial Christianity’ as being a major barrier to political theology. The resulting manifesto was published to coincide with the 2015 General Election and those endorsing it included, then Secretary for State for Justice, Chris Grayling, and MPs Stephen Timms (Labour’s Faith Envoy) and David Lammy [5.7].

Influencing the approach to diversity within the Society for the Study of Theology (SST) and creation of greater opportunities for advanced theological study within the Black Church. In 2014, Beckford led the establishment of a new BA in Theology at CCCU. With an emphasis on social justice, critical biblical studies and popular culture, the programme was based on the vision to engage African and African Caribbean students with academic Theology [3.1] [3.2]. Running until 2019 and based at Christ College Woolwich and then LSEC/Greenwich, it was completed by a total of 35 students from a range of backgrounds. In 2017 it won the CCCU University Teaching Excellence Award in recognition of ‘the innovative and transformative nature of the programme and how it clearly links with widening participation.’ [5.8] Beckford also acted as a research consultant to the Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education (where he is now Professor of Black Theology) during their establishment of The Centre for Black Theology [5.8]. Launched in 2018, it was the first of its kind in the UK attracting ‘a critical mass of black students primarily, but not exclusively, from black Pentecostal churches.’ [5.8]

In 2014, Beckford presented a plenary paper to the primarily white membership of the Society for the Study of Theology (SST) Annual Conference, the leading British learned society for theologians. Beckford lamented the absence of a theological language to deal with the experience of ‘colonial Christianity’ [3.1] [3.2] within the Church in the UK and challenged the lack of diversity in SST’s membership. After this challenge ‘from Professor Robert Beckford in his plenary paper in April 2014, and Professor Anthony Reddie and other members of plenary panel on Race in April 2016’ [5.9], the SST established a group on Theology and Race. This group reported in 2017, setting out recommendations to address the lack of diversity within the SST and address the ‘marginalisation of BAME theologians in UK academia’. To date, actions taken based on these recommendations include: the establishment of a group of BAME theological leaders to advise SST’s Executive Committee; the co-option of two BAME members to the Executive Committee; changes to the Society’s annual conference programme, including the inclusion of a Theology and Popular culture stream (2018 and 2019), featuring a plenary panel on Beckford’s Documentary as Exorcism in 2018 and a Black Theology stream in 2019; actions to make the annual conference more accessible and diverse; amendments to the way the SST describes its aims and purpose to be more explicit about who the society is for; a BAME bursary scheme; and efforts to learn about the theological concerns of black and minority ethnic Christians and spread awareness of the SST by attending events [5.9].