First Shot Fired in War between Gays and the Churches

Sir Elton John has fired the first shot in what could be a full-scale war between religious leaders and the gay community. In a letter to today’s Spectator, Sir Elton vigorously responds to an anti-gay article by Cardinal Winning last week, saying the Cardinal is “ignorant” about homosexuality.

Terry Sanderson, a spokesperson for the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association said: “Sir Elton has brought into the spotlight something we have been saying for several years now – religion is responsible for almost all the hostility that is being directed at the gay community. It isn’t only Roman Catholics – although the Christian Institute and Brian Souter are waging a disgraceful campaign in Scotland to retain Section 28, and the Vatican is attempting to get the World Gay Pride event in Rome cancelled. Gay people and the community they have created are also being attacked by the Chief Rabbi, Jonathan Sacks, and in quite extreme terms by spokespeople from the Muslim community.

“Sir Elton is quite correct in saying that this hard line approach is driving people away from churches. Total attendance at Catholic churches – and C of E churches – is in freefall, demonstrating that the bigotry is starting to backfire on the churches. But what is important is that in the meantime innocent gay people are being harmed.

“In Glasgow – where born-again Christian Brian Souter has stepped up his campaign to retain section 28 – the police are admitting that homophobic attacks are increasing. Homosexuals have no legal protection against discrimination. We fear that if the unjustified hysteria being generated by religious factions continues much longer it could result in people losing their jobs and homes and possibly their lives.

“We hope that Sir Elton John’s clarion call will be heeded by the gay community, who will be at last motivated to fight back against the prejudice and discrimination that religion is aiming at them. The fightback starts here – and the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association will certainly be on the front line. We hope that our campaign will be joined by all people of goodwill who want to see a society where all minorities can live in peace without fear of persecution from religion.”