Vicky Beeching: 'Coming out as a lesbian has been so positive'

Vicky Beeching is not the first person to sit in our kitchen and ask for advice about coming out - and she probably won’t be the last. But, to date, she's certainly the bravest.

Undoubtedly there will be those who say ‘who cares?’ Why does she have to make a fuss about it? The answer is simple: a lot of people do care. Children are still bullied at school, people are beaten up in the street and in the worst cases teenagers commit suicide because they feel persecuted, or are unable to come to terms with their sexuality. Each person that comes out in public life helps to increase the understanding and acceptability of the LGBT community. It matters. It matters hugely.

Vicky is the bravest because she comes from a conservative Christian background. She is the first high profile female theologian to come out and her songs are sung by millions around the American Bible belt.

The interview, in which she came out, was published this morning. But the news hit social media last night, immediately stirring up a storm of interest.

"I wasn't totally ready for last night. I had been hoping for a good night's sleep!" she tells me.

That said, Vicky had been planning this day for some time. Indeed, the reason she was sat in our kitchen in the first place was on her quest to speak to other women, especially those in the public eye, who had come out. We had heard from Ruth Hunt, the CEO of Stonewall, that Vicky might like to talk to us. We didn’t know what about exactly but invited her for tea anyway and threw in a bit of cake for good measure.

So I wonder - now that her day has come - how does she feel?

The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive - even from those who don’t agree with her because of their faith. Amazingly, some have even said they will re-examine their beliefs. So supportive are the messages being sent to Vicky, from all over the world, that she was compelled to tweet a message of thanks.

Vicky was not bullied into coming out. She did it entirely of her own volition and the timing was important. It is exactly a month to the day that the Church of England voted ‘Yes’ to women bishops. Vicky had been involved heavily in that campaign and now believes that the only remaining hurdle in the Church is sexuality. She felt it was important for her to enter that new debate as herself - an out gay woman.

I am not a person of faith, so I just tend to get rather cross with such intolerance. Vicky approaches it from a different angle. She is determined that the conversation around sexuality in the Church should not descend into chaos and anger, but wants to be part of a dialogue with "grace". It is a word she uses often. She is tolerant of those who disagree with her and wants to "promote a culture of listening".

Since last year, Vicky has spoken openly about her support of Equal Marriage and has faced derision and online hatred over her views. Now, in the light of her coming out, what are her hopes for the Church on that front?

"I strongly believe that people must agree to disagree, but be free to follow their own conscience. There may be priests who do not wish to carry out gay marriages and they should not be forced to. Equally those who would like to should be free to do so."

Vicky suffered enormous mental conflict as a teenager, fighting her true feelings and considering herself sinful. She was even subjected to an exorcism. Now she has accepted that you don’t have to choose between sexuality and faith. God can love to just the way you are. She will have paved the way for many other young Christians to feel the same.

So will they keep singing her songs in the Bible belt? Her next royalty cheque, due in six months time, will be the test of that. But even if that door closes a little, there will be so many others that will open.

What Vicky has done is so vitally important because she can now effect change from within. She has the ear of the Archbishop of Canterbury - she's close friends with his daughter Katherine who has publically stated her support. It is her unwavering spirit of listening, tolerance and love that can help to change hearts in the Church. Vicky tells me, "When you switch off your heart your creativity suffers." She is looking forward to writing music again, for the first time in her life with no secrets to hide.

People perform better, in whatever sphere, when they have can be completely honest. Perhaps Vicky will write songs that now reflect her views. Songs that we may all be proud to sing whether we have faith or not.

This much I know: she will be embraced and loved by the vast majority for what she has done. She will have helped numerous others coming to terms with the faith/sexuality conflict. She may even have helped to save lives.

I, for one, look forward to seeing her blossom.

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