The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement [LGCM] has today [16 November 2000] published the first report from the Commission on Christian Homophobia.
Key Findings include:
- The majority of homophobic abuse suffered by gay men and lesbians in the United Kingdom is supported by the words and actions of the Christian Churches
- That such homophobia has a serious and daily effect on the health and well-being of the gay and lesbian population of this country, sometimes leading to absence from work, depression, physical harm and even suicide
- That lesbian and gay church members are being expelled from congregations; lesbian and gay groups have been refused the use of church premises; church run welfare and housing organisations have specifically excluded gay men and lesbians.
It also contains articles:
- on the rise of the Christian Right in Britain, detailing their tactics and objectives
- surveying sociological data on harm caused to young people by homophobia
- offering a theological analysis of how violence against lesbian and gay people is perpetuated in the churches
Preface by Ben Bradshaw, MP and an Introduction by Monica Furlong. The report includes a representative sample of 12 Case Studies, and 75 Recommendations for Good Practice.
One immediate and practical consequence of the Commission’s findings is the creation of the Christian Homophobia Hotline (020 7613 1095)
A follow-up conference tackling issues raised by the report and reactions to it will be held on 8 September 2001.
The report will be launched at a Press Conference on Thursday 16 November at 1.00pm in the Jubilee Room, Palace of Westminster. Publication takes place in the week that the first session of the new General Synod of the Church of England is taking place at Church House, Westminster
This report is a world first, and exposes much that is wrong with the Churches. “If our Churches are ever to become safe places for lesbian and gay people,” said Rev Richard Kirker, LGCM General Secretary, today, “they will have to act as if they know homophobia is evil and must be confronted whenever it surfaces. Those in positions of leadership have a particular responsibility to attend Homophobia Awareness courses, and these will be arranged by LGCM. Homophobia is a scandal and an offence to the Gospel which is causing much harm to many individuals.”
Commission on Christian Homophobia – The Key Findings
- That the majority of homophobic abuse suffered by gay men and lesbians in the UK is supported by the words and actions of the Christian churches.
- That such homophobia has a serious and daily effect on the health and well-being of the gay and lesbian population of this country, sometimes leading to absence from work, depression, physical harm and even suicide.
- That the Christian churches in the UK have had a disproportionate influence on legislation affecting gays and lesbians and have, at every turn, tried to frustrate the will of parliament, defy the international consensus on human rights, and to gain exemptions for themselves from the fair and equal treatment of lesbians and gay men.
- That in their methods and organisation, conservative Christian groups in this country now amount to a ‘Christian Right’ similar to that which has been active in the US for some years.
- That some Bishops and other church leaders act hypocritically in regard to the lesbian and gay members and clergy of their churches, knowing that they are licensing and ordaining gay clergy whilst publicly denying this.
- That such hypocrisy rewards deceit and dishonesty and is deleterious to the health and well being of those who are forced into such a lifestyle.
- That a significant number of clergy have been dismissed, made homeless and forced to rely on state benefits because of their sexuality.
- That lesbian and gay church members are being expelled from congregations, lesbian and gay groups have been refused the use of church premises, church run welfare and housing organisations have specifically excluded gay men and lesbians.
- That sermons and Christian resource material supporting gay men and lesbians have been censored or destroyed, and that young people in church youth groups and other Christian settings are being indoctrinated into homophobia.
- That there are significant numbers of counselors, psychologists and other health professionals whose ‘Christian’ beliefs lead them to attempt the ‘changing,’ ‘curing,’ or ‘exorcising’ of gay men and lesbians against all the advice of reputable profess ional associations.
- That there are occasional instances of heroic and truly Christian people within the churches taking a stand to support the lesbian and gay community. There are many gay and lesbian Christians who are prepared to work for the redemption of the churches from the sin of homophobia, often at great personal cost.
ENDS
Christian Homophobia: the Churches’ Persecution of Gay and Lesbian People
ISBN 0 946310 10 6 [£5.00 + 75p&p]
