New Malden: Trans minister on inclusivity in the church

A transgender minister who became the first person to go through gender reassignment while also going through the selection process for ministry has said the Methodist Church "couldn't have been more inclusive and welcoming".

The Reverend Dr Karl Rutlidge, the minister at New Malden Methodist Church in south-west London, says his work in the community is far more important than his gender. "It's a small part of who I am. I think it's far more important to people that I'm about in the church, that I help with the coffee bar."

"God has always known who I am and has always loved me just as I am," he said.

Video by Anna O'Neill and Rob Oxley