Protest The Pope protest

GALHA yesterday joined the Protest The Pope coalition on their march through Westminster to the Italian Embassy. Outside the embassy there were a number of speeches including from own Derek Lennard (pictured). This was part of the annual march for a secular Europe but specifically to protest the Pope's recent comments against UK equality

News release

London, 15th February 2010

The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA, www.galha.org) joined a protest organised by the Central London Humanists yesterday. Over 200 demonstrators marched from Westminster Cathedral to the Italian Embassy demanding "No Vatican - London for a Secular Europe". The protest organisers emphasised the need for "equal rights for LGBT people in the European Union" and a significant number of LGBT organisations and individuals supported the march.

In a speech on behalf of GALHA, committee member Derek Lennard questioned the Pope's ability to give 'moral leadership', "No-one in the LGBT community needs a lesson on morality from a religious organisation that's presided over the disgraceful abuse of children and young adults - not to mention the alleged cover-up that followed". Lennard complained about the Vatican's attempt to influence UK equality legislation, "Religious organisations and representatives seem determined to block the progress of LGBT rights in countries such as the UK - and end them altogether in many other parts of the world.

Like persecuted members of religions, LGBT people are entitled to say 'Let my people free' ".

The new chair of GALHA Adam Knowles added "GALHA members have marched here today to protest against the Pope's attacks on LGBT rights, his backwards attitude to human sexuality, his hypocrisy when he calls homosexuality an 'intrinsic moral evil' and his attempted interference in our democratic institutions to promote those views.

GALHA members don't want Vatican interference, don't want their taxes spent on the Pope's visit and don't want this man given a UK platform to spread ill-informed opinions about their lives".
GALHA is proud to work alongside humanist and secular groups that have always supported LGBT Rights. We urge supporters to visit protestthepope.org.uk/ to find out more.

ENDS

Information for editors

For more information on the march see http://www.meetup.com/Central-London-Humanists/calendar/12192702/

The Protest The Pope coalition is made up of:

• British Humanist Association
• Council of ex-Muslims of Britain
• Gay & Lesbian Humanist Association
• International Humanist and Ethical Union
• National Secular Society
• North London Humanists
• One Law for All
• OutRage!
• Southall Black Sisters
• Women Against Fundamentalism

Website: http://www.protestthepope.org.uk/

The aims of the Protest The Pope campaign are as follows.

To support

• Equal rights for LGBT people
• Women's equality and reproductive rights
• A secular Europe - immune to the Vatican's agenda
• One law for all, no religious exemptions from the law
• State neutrality in matters of religion and belief

To oppose

• European Union collusion with religion (Lisbon Treaty Article 16c)
• The special status of the Vatican in the United Nations
• State-funded faith schools
• The economic privilege and political influence of the Vatican in Italy
• Taxpayers funding the Pope's State Visit to the UK this September
• Misogyny, homophobia, fascism, racism and xenophobia

The campaign continues in the run up to the Pope's September visit. More at the Protest The Pope website »

Thanks to everyone that attended with us.