The Revd Joel Edwards, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance has been made a commissioner of the new Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
The Revd Richard Kirker, Chief executive of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) said today (7th November 2007)
"I was stunned when Joel told me personally he was to be a commissioner on the Equality and Human Rights Commission."
"Holding such a key role in the organisation charged with supporting gay equality will put him at loggerheads with many in his own fundamentalist constituency. I am delighted he now seems to have 'seen the light' and can embrace and support all the recent pro-gay legislation without exception, and with a clear conscience. I can only hope his late conversion to equality is genuine, deep-rooted and sincere. If it is then he will have left his homophobic past behind him. But I remain profoundly sceptical he can remain true to the values of the Evangelical Alliance, to which he remains committed, and at the same time embrace the EHRC’s purported agenda. Anyone as closely associated with the promotion of homophobia in the guise of religion needs to be watched very carefully, especially if involved with the EHRC if this new body is not to become a haven of discrimination itself. I hope for the sake of the EHRC Joel Edwards’ perplexing appointment does not end up being a curse on its work."
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Press Officer
Martin Reynolds
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Richard Kirker
Chief Executive
Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement [LGCM]
Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, London, E2 6HG
Office Tel & Fax 020 7739 1249
www.lgcm.org.uk
lgcm@lgcm.org.uk
Registered
Charity No 1048842.