Fiji church calls
for repeal of gay rights

The Methodist Church in Fiji is again calling on the national government to remove protections for gay citizens from its constitution. Although there are laws on the books prohibiting homosexual acts, Fiji's 1997 constitution bans discrimination based on sexual orientation. Methodist leaders in Fiji have been lobbying the government to drop the antidiscrimination protections since the constitution was ratified. Now the church is stepping up its efforts. Methodist Church president the Reverend Laisiasa Ratabacaca said in a statement: "We are appealing to the government to amend the part of the constitution which states the issue--or entirely drop it." A senior clergy member explained the church's position to the Fiji Times, saying: "The divine law of creation says that sex is from God, not meant only for enjoyment but for procreation. And this procreation is possible through the opposite sex." (Sirius OutQ News)