Claire Voyant LGBTQ+ Inclusion Mentor

PART OF MY STORY

I grew up in a time when Disney films portrayed the classic narrative: the prince rescues the princess  In the 80's and 90's, there were no LGBTQ+ stories in the mainstream media. In fact the legislation of Section 28 in 1998 which prevented local authorities from "intentionally promoting homosexuality in places like schools was put in place in the UK. This had a detrimental effect on many LGBTQ+ people.

 I didn’t realize it was okay to be attracted to girls, and this left me confused and often feeling very alone. That confusion led me down a path where I tried to follow the expectations society placed on me. Though I had experiences with femails I ended up in relationships with men, eventually marrying an abusive man. Together, we had two children.

Once I was in that marriage, I often heard my dad’s voice in my head saying, “You made your bed, now lie in it.” He had no idea about the abuse my children and I were enduring. 

Eventually, my parents came to my rescue. They helped me leave that situation and supported me in building a new life as a single parent. We worked through the pain with counseling, and together we began to heal. Life was challenging, though, as I also struggled with autoimmune diseases, which often left me feeling depleted. After 12 years, I had to sell my home as part of the divorce settlement. I decided to move closer to my parents, back to my dad’s hometown, to start fresh.

A year after moving into our new home, I had a deeply spiritual experience. Over six weeks, I felt God’s voice urging me to return to a Baptist church I had attended in my teens. At first, I resisted—I had been hurt by Christians in the past and knew many churches were not supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. Still, I called a good friend, who was my former Bible study teacher, and asked her to take me. She was thrilled, though I was dreading the experience, expecting an old, stuffy preacher. To my surprise, the minister and his wife were young and relatable, even covered in tattoos.

Three weeks later, I had a profound encounter with Jesus. It felt as though His presence emerged from my fireplace, radiating pure love and telling me He had work for me to do. I said, “Okay.” Shortly after, I was baptized, and the church began to feel like a family.

At the time, I was still hiding an important part of myself. Months later, I confided in the minister, tearfully explaining that I didn’t find men attractive and that my next relationship would be with a woman. I asked if I could still be part of the church. To my relief, he was kind, supportive, and became a close friend. Slowly, I came out to my family, and I was blessed to find acceptance and love.

Not long after, a queer person joined the church, and we developed a beautiful relationship. I was overjoyed to have finally found love. However, when members of the congregation discovered we were in a queer relationship, they made it clear that I was no longer welcome.

I was devastated. Leaving my church family felt like losing a piece of my heart. During that painful time, I began searching for LGBTQ+ affirming Christian communities online. I found safe spaces, supportive friends, and organizations that helped queer Christians connect. When I was invited to lead a 10-week program for people navigating their own “coming out” journeys, I eagerly accepted. Volunteering my time to help others build a strong foundation for their identity has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. I’ve been doing this work for four years now.

Though I no longer attend my old church, I stay in touch with some of the kind, accepting people I met there. Today, I am surrounded by love from my partner, family, and friends. My partner and I are planning our wedding, and we are so excited to celebrate this milestone with the people who support us.

I have also found an inclusive church where everyone is welcomed and loved. I now host a worship evening there, creating a space where people can feel embraced for who they are.

My work with my clients brings me so much joy, as I help others live their lives authentically and unapologetically—just as I do.

Whether you're coming out within a faith based enviroment or outside of one, I'm here to support and guide you every step of the way. 

If my story resonates with you, let’s talk.?