Richard Kirker

Richard Kirker is an Anglican deacon. He was a founder member and first general secretary of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement.

He was born and grew up in Nigeria, educated in England, and studied at a theological college in Salisbury where he met his first partner, Michael Harding. He was ordained deacon and worked as a curate in the St Albans diocese. The bishop, Robert Runcie (later Archbishop of Canterbury) was privately supportive of his relationship, but sacked him because he was being too open about his homosexuality, by joining gay organisations and writing to the papers about the Church's position on gay rights.

In 1984 Customs and Excise attempted to prosecute him for importin obscene materials, but backed down followin an outcry from the gay community. In 1998 a Nigerian bishop laid hands on him on television in attempt to "exorcise" the demons of homosexuality.

Since leaving LGCM in 2008 he has started a new business selling holiday accommodation in Morocco and France.