News
2006-12-06
Scottish gay
rights group responds to minister's slam
The Stonewall
Scotland LGBT justice group has responded to antigay
comments made by an Inverness clergyman. The Reverend Dr.
The Stonewall
Scotland LGBT justice group has responded to antigay
comments made by an Inverness clergyman. The Reverend Dr.
John Ross said Sunday during his sermon that the
government should rethink a new law that would make it
illegal for guesthouse owners to refuse accommodation
to individuals on the grounds of sexuality, but Stonewall
Scotland noted several inaccuracies in what he said,
reports The InvernessCourier.
"The reckless speed with which it is forcing
through parliament the sexual orientation regulations,
totally disregarding the consciences of Christian
people, is causing anxiety and fear," Ross said.
"Christians operating bed-and-breakfast accommodations are
afraid of falling foul of the law by refusing a double
room to an unmarried couple, whether heterosexual or homosexual."
But according to Stonewall Scotland's
communications manager, that's not true. "The purpose
of the legislation is not to deny individuals the
right to their private belief—and doctrines of faith
will be exempt—but to protect gay and lesbian
people from the prejudice and discrimination they are
faced with daily," said the group's Josef Church.
Danny Alexander, the region's parliament member,
also added his opinion on the matter. "It is right to
put in this legislation to prevent people being
discriminated against," he said. "But I also
think that churches have made important points particularly
in relation to the use of church premises, and that is
a matter that the minister has told me that the
government is looking at again as a result of
consultation." (The Advocate)
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