Don’t do it, Will!

KENILWORTH, 30 MAY 2002 — The news that pop idol Will Young is planning to do the anti-gay Alpha course has enraged gay non-believers.

The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) said that if Will embraced the fundamentalist Christian message that Alpha promotes, he will be betraying the gay community, which is trying to shake off the effects of centuries of religious persecution.

The course is run from Holy Trinity Brompton church in London, and its leader Nicky Gumbel says: “The Bible makes it clear that sex outside marriage, including homosexual sex, is unfortunately a sin.” He has also declared that gay people need to be “healed”.

Terry Sanderson, a columnist on Gay Times magazine said: “Will Young should know what he is letting himself in for. Alpha is terribly anti-gay and can do nothing for the self-esteem of someone in his position, who is newly out of the closet and still unsure about his sexuality. He should give these Christian bigots a wide berth until he is certain he can deal with the negative message they are going to give him about his deepest feelings. The problem with Alpha is that its shiny packaging and surface friendliness conceal a really rather nasty message.

“If he does get involved with Alpha, the gay community will be well justified in boycotting his records and concerts – and for a pop singer that can be serious.”

George Broadhead, Secretary of the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association, commented: “We are very sorry to see Will Young taking up Alpha. His tacit endorsement of its bible-based stance on homosexuality will give out entirely the wrong message to young gay people who are struggling with their feelings and who might follow his lead and get involved with this homophobic organisation. We have only one message for the pop idol and that is – don’t do it, Will!”