Charlotte Putros is a student completing her work placement with The Open Door and The Open Door Rainbow Community Hub. Through the placement, she has been gaining practical experience while supporting the congregation’s ministries, activities and connection with the wider community. In the following interview, Charlotte shares about her experience, the connections she has formed and what she has learned along the way.
Could you tell us a little about yourself and what you're studying?
My name is Charlotte Putros. I was studying a Diploma of Mental Health when I began my work placement at The Open Door, and I’m now studying a Diploma of Youth Work while completing the rest of my placement hours there.
I’ve always had a passion for working with diverse people and supporting others to achieve their goals, which is what drew me to these areas of study. I hope that one day I’ll be able to build a career doing the kind of work I genuinely love.
I came to The Open Door after expressing an interest in working with the LGBTQIA+ community to my teacher, who recommended it as a placement. I met with Pastor Sue and immediately fell in love with the church, its purpose and what it was working towards. From there, I knew I wanted to continue with my placement at The Open Door.
What kinds of activities or projects have you been involved in during your placement, and what have you learned about yourself through those experiences?
I’ve been involved in a range of activities and projects, including IDAHOBIT, Rainbow Connections, preparing for Sunday services and many other tasks with the support of Pastor Sue. Every experience has taught me something new and challenged me to step outside my comfort zone.
I can be very introverted, but my time at The Open Door has helped me come out of my bubble and become more confident meeting and talking with new people. I love learning about everyone there and hearing their stories. I’ve also discovered that I’m pretty good at sending mass emails, thanks to IDAHOBIT!
What has surprised you most about your experience at The Open Door? Has anything challenged or changed the way you think about community, ministry, or inclusion?
I think the main thing that surprised me during my experience at The Open Door was reforming my relationship with God. I was raised attending church and going to Catholic school, so God was very present in my upbringing. But in recent years, I felt as though I not only lost myself but also lost my connection to God.
Many other LGBTQIA+ my age often reject God in their life, and I feel as though I did the same just to fit in so that I would not be shunned away from their groups. But I now realise how silly that was. I believe not every LGBTQIA+ person fits into a particular mould based on their sexuality or gender identity. We’re all different and diverse, and having different interests and beliefs shouldn’t affect our relationships with one another. From what I’ve seen and experienced, the community can already feel quite small, so I believe we should love and accept each other despite our differences, rather than forming cliques or policing how others should live.
I believe that The Open Door provides a space like this, where people can come as they are and not have to put on a front to fit in. Whether you’re a believer or not, I feel as though everyone feels love and connection at The Open Door. So, I’ve pushed aside the need to fit in and have chosen to simply be myself, without the labels or the front. Through what I’ve been doing and learning at The Open Door, I’ve begun to feel God’s presence and love in my life, and it has honestly made me the happiest I’ve been in a long time.
Is there a particular moment, conversation, or experience during your placement that has stayed with you?
A recent moment that has stayed with me was last month’s Sacred Pulse night at The Open Door Rainbow Hub. Pastor Sue shared a meaningful Bible passage and guided a really impactful conversation. It was my first time reading from the Bible since high school, so that was a bit of a trip for me, but what really stayed with me were the conversations that followed.
I heard others share stories about their upbringing and relationship with God, and it was incredibly raw and eye-opening. It made me reflect on my own experiences, and I was able to connect and bond with people who had gone through similar things with religion.
When Sue read the passage and explained how she understood it, her interpretation was completely different from mine. I realised I had been conditioned to view things in a contractual way, as though there was always a catch. Sue saw the love and beauty in it, and hearing her perspective made me want to begin looking at things in the same positive and loving way.
I really appreciated everyone who shared their experiences. It was a truly beautiful night, and I’m so keen for the next one.
The Open Door Rainbow Community Hub exists to create a safe and affirming space for LGBTQ+ people. From your perspective, why do spaces like this matter?
Spaces like this matter because there are very few places where people can just come as they are and feel loved and connected. They matter to people like me who feel as though they have to act like someone else just to fit in, but we really don’t. We should be able to be ourselves and be loved for who we are. Spaces like The Open Door Rainbow Community Hub reinforce this by being so open and welcoming.
No one will judge you in a space like this. You can be as silly or as timid as you want to be, and no matter what, you will have a place there. Every person is shown the same love and respect, regardless of who they are.
This can really support people’s overall wellbeing, especially within the LGBTQIA+ community, by helping them build positive social connections, which in my opinion is a key part of living a fulfilling life. And you can also learn a few new things at every Rainbow Connections night!
As you reflect on your time at The Open Door, how has the experience shaped you, and is there anything you would like to share with or acknowledge about the wider community?
My experience at The Open Door and The Open Door Rainbow Community Hub has already influenced so many areas of my life. It has strengthened the skills I’ll need for my future studies and career, while also helping me grow personally. Everyone has been incredibly kind and welcoming, and I feel a sense of love from the moment I step inside the building. I’m so grateful that my teacher led me there, because I now genuinely feel as though I had been missing out.
I would also love to thank everyone at The Open Door who has welcomed, encouraged and supported me throughout my time there. Every person has helped make the experience so positive and meaningful.
I’m incredibly grateful for the time I’ve spent at The Open Door, and I’m so keen to continue my journey there. I truly can’t imagine my life without it now. And I also have to mention that the people in the congregation make amazing soup and sweets!
Thank you to everyone for everything!