The nailbomb explosion in a Soho gay pub yesterday [30 April 1999] has once again alerted the lesbian and gay community to the consequences of violent homophobia. More importantly it has alerted the whole country. On this occasion it was a particularly virulent strain of hatred that reared its tragic head, but the attack and tragic loss of life have been mirrored in earlier incidents. Many of these have been widely reported in the lesbian and gay press but scarcely at all in the mainstream media.
This latest outrage has its roots in a deeply disaffected and troubled psyche that sees gay and lesbian people as ‘other’, ‘alien’ and ‘deviant’. These attitudes often have their roots in a distorted concept of normality and morality. The Christian Churches have a particular duty to accept that their frequent stigmatising of homosexual people, and our loving relationships, leads to the legitimising of prejudice. The widespread belief that we should be ‘controlled’, ‘weeded-out’, ‘criminalised’ and ‘kept apart’ are sadly views which many Christians still cling onto. In short that we should be treated as inferiors, without full human rights, is accepted as normal. That is only a short step away from the unleashing of violent words, aggressive
behaviour, and even explosive devices at lesbian and gay people, our meeting places,
organisations, and homes. We are attacked because we dare to be different.
The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement offers its condolences to the friends and families of these who have been murdered, and prays that all the injured will recover fully.
"If any good can come out of this tragedy", said Rev Richard Kirker, LGCM General Secretary today, "it is that the deeply ingrained prejudice against lesbian and gay people which has for too long been tolerated, ignored, or even excused, will at last be viewed as totally unacceptable. For this view to prevail any incitement to act hatefully against lesbian and gay people must become a criminal offence. In the life of the Church all discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation must be declared immoral. The Church must not condemn homophobia while still practicing it covertly in its own communities. That would be cynically deceptive and make a mockery of the tolerance and respect our society expects from everyone if it is to flourish."
ENDS
Further information
Rev Richard Kirker 0171 739 1249