Biography:
Jayne Margaret Ozanne is a British evangelical Anglican who has made significant contributions to LGBTQI rights and advocacy. Born in Guernsey in a conservative and religious environment, Ozanne was educated at The Ladies’ College, Guernsey, where she developed a passion for mathematics. She went on to study mathematics at St John’s College, Cambridge, becoming one of the first female undergraduates to pursue this subject at the college.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1990, Ozanne ventured into the corporate world, working in brand management at Procter & Gamble and later at Kimberly-Clark. However, her life took a new direction when she joined the BBC Television as Head of Marketing. During this time, she discovered her advocacy skills, which eventually led her to establish the Ozanne Consultancy Services in 1998.
Ozanne’s career path shifted once again when she decided to pursue a postgraduate certificate in international diplomacy at the Oxford University Diplomatic Studies Programme. During her studies at Magdalen College, Oxford, she became increasingly involved in fundraising. She held positions such as director of fund development for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, head of fundraising partnerships at Oxfam GB, director of fundraising for the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, and director of fundraising for the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Charitable Funds.
Throughout her professional journey, Ozanne maintained a deep connection with her faith and actively participated in the Church of England. From 1999 to 2004, she served as a member of the General Synod, the governing body of the Church of England. But it was in 2014 that she decided to become more publicly engaged in the ongoing debate about sexuality within the Church.
In 2015, Ozanne was reelected to the General Synod and dedicated herself to advocating for equal rights for the LGBTQI community. She quickly gained recognition as one of the Church of England’s most influential evangelical campaigners. Ozanne boldly called for a reinterpretation of anti-LGBTI verses in the Bible, observing that similar reinterpretations were necessary for societal progress, as exemplified by William Wilberforce’s campaign against slavery.
In addition to her work within the Church, Ozanne founded the Ozanne Foundation in 2017. This organization collaborates with religious institutions worldwide to combat prejudice and discrimination faced by LGBTQI individuals. She also established and chairs the Ban Conversion Therapy Coalition, aiming to end the harmful practice of conversion therapy.
Ozanne’s unwavering commitment to LGBTQI rights and her efforts to challenge the status quo have made her an influential figure in society. Her story serves as a testament to the power of combining faith, activism, and personal integrity to bring about positive change.