An inclusive Christmas service

This year’s Gay and Lesbian Christmas Eve event, a concert/church service organised by the GLBTI-friendly Metropolitan Community Church, will return to Sydney’s Town Hall for the first time since 2007.

Event organiser PJ Dwyer, who has been involved with the MCC for the past five years, told the Star Observer he was focused on making the free event as inclusive as possible.

“With MCC, it’s always open. This year I’ve tried to go for a more ecumenical focus, rather than a religious one,” he said.

“There are religious elements to the service, but it’s not the same as going to a Christian or Anglican service.

“I think there’ll be something for everybody. If you’re wanting to be entertained, you will, and if you’re looking for a spiritual element, you’ll find that too.”

Key performers at the concert, kicking off from 8pm on Christmas Eve (doors open at 7:30pm), are the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir, the Sydney Homotones, Justin J Bear and opera singer Michael Tesoriero.

National Spokesperson for PFLAG Shelley Argent will be the keynote speaker.

“We’ve had a lot of people speak over the years, but we’ve never actually had a mother,” Dwyer said.

“It’ll be quite interesting to have a mum’s perspective on what Christmas means.”

info: MCC Sydney’s Christmas Eve concert opens 7.30pm at Sydney Town Hall. All welcome.