Gay Christians speak out against fundamentalists

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

The head of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement has spoken out against religious fundamentalists ahead of today’s House of Lords debate on the Sexual Orientation Regulations.

Rev Richard Kirker, in a statement to PinkNews.co.uk, expressed his shame at some Christian groups who have taken the position that they should be exempted from the regulations, which outlaw discrimination against LGBT people when accessing services.

“A small group of fundamentalist Christians have led a wicked campaign of disinformation about these regulations, making claims that anyone who bothered to read them could see were false,” said Rev Kirker, the chief executive of the LGCM.

“They make spurious claims about the infringement of their religious liberties, when the regulations give them alone the right to continue to discriminate against lesbian and gay people,” he added.

The Northern Ireland regulations contain an exemption on the grounds of doctrine, which undermines the argument from the protesters that they will be ‘forced’ to promote homosexuality.

Christian Concern for Our Nation are organising a protest outside parliament tonight, which will coincide with a debate in the House of Lords about the Sexual Orientation Regulations’ introduction in Northern Ireland at the start of this month.

Rev Kirker expressed his disgust at the hostility Christian fundamentalists are showing towards gay and lesbian people.

“The government has a clear task not to enlarge the ability for anyone to discriminate against homosexuals – the law could easily be made unenforceable if they do – but we are sure that is the intent of these misguided fanatical homophobes,” he said.

Gay and lesbian humanists have also criticised the protestors.

“These evangelical groups are becoming hysterical and desperate as they pile on the pressure to destroy the new Sexual Orientation Regulations,” said George Broadhead, secretary of the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association.