First non-binary priest in C of E

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uk.news.yahoo.com/church-england-first-non-binary-161400908.html

They describe themselves as non-binary and genderqueer but also say that the phrase “from maleness to femaleness” in Genesis provoked an epiphany.

@BrownEyedGhoul no I don't think I'm 'binary' (is anyone?) but I don't feel strongly enough about it to feel 'non binary' I'm happy enough as I am. It's up to each individual as to what they feel their own gender is, or if they believe in gender at all.

His poor wife and kids

@picklemewalnuts I would say we have never been in a better place for allowing people to be themselves whether that's masculine women, feminine men, trans, gay, bi or non-binary. I agree I think there could definitely be some improvements.

Quick reply to your suggestion that the C of E will screw women over later this year by saying a woman is anyone who identifies as one.

I don't think there's any possibility of that. It would have to be agreed by General Synod, the Church's governing body. At the last set of elections the makeup of Synod became more traditional in terms of those elected, not less.

Whatever you think of that in general, it means most Synod members take a fairly traditional view of biological sex as binary, and a sceptical view of gender self-ID etc.

The House of Bishops might well move closer towards blessing of gay marriages (I'd say that's likely, following the lead of some other Anglican provinces). But I reckon there's zero chance of Synod defining a woman as anybody who identifies as one.

This utter ridiculousness actually made me think about whether to cancel my monthly tithe and leave the Church of England… I’m still deciding…

@Boiledbeetle PG Wodehouse's Bertie Wooster has a chum called Bingo Little. Although I don't think his parents gave him that name. More likely his Eton cohort did.

I suspect the Rev Bingo didn't start life as Bingo either.

You can't be non-binary without the assumption that everyone who isn't non-binary is binary. That's the whole point.

But then you get the situation where non-binary athletes start asking for "AFAB" non-binary and "AMAB" non-binary categories to ensure fairness therefore creating...a sex-based binary!

The whole ideology is an illogical phallacy.

But I reckon there's zero chance of Synod defining a woman as anybody who identifies as one.

Yeah…that’s what we all would’ve thought about a lot of these matters only a few years ago but when even the NHS decide that biological reality no longer matters (unless it’s in the care of men of course) then I wouldn’t be so sure. The London-centric woke CofE is as cowardly and prone to give in as any of the other institutions you would’ve considered robust.

The best thing about being non-binary, is that in doing so, you immediately set up a binary.

As do I! Otherwise school will have been interesting.

Oh I've never read those books, I should maybe widen my literary education this year.

The whole ideology is an illogical phallacy.

I so read that as illogical phallus.

Bingo Little's given name is Richard and he was at Prep school and Eton with Bertie.

I would definitely recommend the books - they really are very funny. PG Wodehouse has a way of writing a very amusing phrase - 'well stamped sandwich' is one that sticks in my mind! He started off as a writer for School Boy Magazines and there's a definite whiff of school boy humour throughout the books.

Non binary is the most infuriating nonsense. A colleague is non binary and told me it's because they sometimes feel uncomfortable being a woman. As if we all walk around feeling comfortable in our skin all the time or even should feel comfortable all the time (no I don't think we should). This pursuit of some kind of perfection in life is driving people insane.

Haha I think phalluses (phalli?) do tend to be illogical, that's probably where the phrase 'thinking with their d*ck' comes from. No offence to anyone here with a phallus!

I don't think they are assuming everyone else is binary. To borrow a phrase from earlier in the thread, it was something around to be be grey there has to be black and white. Well okay let's say someone works out somehow they are a particular shade of grey. Where in that working out have they assumed everyone else is either black or white? Surely it's more likely we are all shades of grey but those of us that are not non binary are comfortable enough being called black or white cos it's near enough, or we are comfortable about the bits that don't exactly align.

Annoyingly I do actually already own them, but they are on the bookcase in what used to be the dining room but is currently identifying the Doom Room (like a doom box on steroids)

I'm just debating whether it's easier to sort and make a path to them or just buy them again.

Especially as it Wodehouse so that means its right at the back end of the room. I'm not planning on getting to see that again until at least next new year! The one after it i don't get off mumsnet.

I love PG Wodehouse. When the modern world becomes too insane, there's nothing quite like escaping to Blandings Castle. I suspect this year I may have to visit quite frequently.

Berlin Woooster has a vicar friend, name escapes me, who was a boxing blue at Oxford and has a parish in the east end of London. In the days when the east end was the East End, iyswim. I do wonder what the boxing vicar's views on Jesus loving sparkly eye shadow might have been.

A colleague is non binary and told me it's because they sometimes feel uncomfortable being a woman

Does this colleague not realise that by that description every woman everywhere is therefore non binary?

Haha I think phalluses (phalli?) do tend to be illogical,

especially you when you discover one in the women's toilets

There's nothing wrong with your colleague wanting to feel more comfortable. It's nice they felt comfortable enough to share that with you, I don't think that makes them 'insane' but perhaps they should have tested out your views first before sharing something that made you feel that way.

I do love those books, if written now I could just imagine.

So did my autocorrect!

😆

Beefy Bingham? I think he was the one that organised the infamous talent show for which audience's boredom 'passed beyond mere words and began to introduce the vegetable motive'.

I suspect that he (and Bertie) would have seen eyeshadow as a quirk of personality rather than some sort of navel gazing introspection.

I've never met any phalli in the women's toilets, if there are any they would be inside a cubicle. I give you I would be surprised to meet one in a communal changing room but again I tend to prefer ones with cubicles.