Christian Hostility to Repeal of Section 28 is No Surprise

The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) has condemned the huge financial support given by devout Christian businessman Brian Souter to the campaign against repealing Section 28 in Scotland. However, GALHA adds that this move on the part of the wealthy Christian should have come as no surprise.

GALHA spokesperson George Broadhead said: “Surely, by now, the vast majority of well-informed and rational-thinking lesbians and gay men are fully aware that the major source of hostility to their lifestyle and their rights comes from religious sources of one sort or another.

“Only recently, senior members of the main Christian denominations in Scotland, including the Church of Scotland, the Roman Catholic Church, the Baptist Union and the Salvation Army, published an open letter calling on the Scottish Executive not to repeal Section 28. This move followed a public statement from the leader of Scotland’s Catholics, Cardinal Thomas Winning, that getting rid of Section 28 could expose children to ‘predatory and abusive’ relationships. The Cardinal has welcomed the support of the other Christian churches, saying: ‘It is heartening to see Christians from so many denominations coming together on this’ which has ‘everything to do with preserving the family and the Christian heritage of this country.’

“The revelation that Mr Souter’s action has been partly prompted by the anti-gay propaganda of his fellow Christians should come as no surprise”, said Mr Broadhead, “and no doubt they will be delighted at his generosity.”