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"You are loved." Rev'd Sarah Jones addresses the vigil for Dr Gary Jenkins

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Hundreds of people gathered in Cardiff for a vigil held on Sunday in memory of Dr Gary Jenkins who was murdered in a homophobic attack.Rev'd Canon Sarah Jones, from St John the Baptist Cardiff, was among the many speakers at the vigil. Rev'd Sarah spoke of the Christian communities who are campaigning for equality and are providing safe spaces for LGBT+ Christians. In a powerful speech, Rev'd Sarah apologised for the hurt some Christian communities have caused LGBT+ people.Watch the speech below.

Welsh content

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Rev'd Sarah speaking at the vigil in Cardiff

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Transcript of Rev'd Sarah's speech

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To the queer community of Cardiff, I love this city and I stand here today also as a representative of organised Christianity.And so i want to say sorry. I'm really sorry for the part that some Christians have played in giving license to our marginalisation which leads to some of the prejudice that we see and tragically in this event with Dr Gary a few months ago.The Bishop of Llandaff wanted to be here and you'll know that not many bishops are smart enough or brave enough to speak out on these things.She couldn't be here but as I'm the vicar I'm sure she would want me to say that she is thinking of all of us today and I know that she is.And I do want to say that there are other representatives I've seen them from other churches and Christian communities in our gathering here today. And I hope in your pain and your anger and your annoyance that it might help you to know that there are Christian communities where we are not just tolerated or accepted but that we're celebrated and loved.And there are plenty of people in this fair city and beyond who are working to end discrimination in our religion and obviously in wider society.We will be keeping everyone in our prayers over LGBT+ History Month. That may or may not be of any comfort to you but on behalf of myself, our parishes, the churches round about here, I'm sorry, we do love you.There are people in this city working to end discrimination in our religion and in wider society.And if you find a church that doesn't don't darken their doors.It doesn't really matter too much, you know you're fabulous you, know you're important and you know you have as much right in this city as any straight person.God bless you.You have as much right in this city as any straight person.

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How to report homophobic hate crime

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Report the Hate Wales offer free, independent and confidential support to help you cope and recover from the impact of hate crime. Information on their website is available in Welsh and English. Report the Hate Wales (Bilingual).You can also find out more from Gov.UK and Stonewall.Report Hate Crime - Gov.UKReporting hate crime - Stonewall