Street Preachers: We're Not Homophobes

The Toronto couple who was allegedly being targeted by a group of street preachers say the story just isn't true.

Blair Chiasson, who lives in the home with his partner Paul Collins, said the story has spiraled out of control, and has come to the defense of the members of the Highfield Road Gospel Hall.

"I just want this to stop" he said in the Toronto Star. "Stop discussing it. Stop talking about it. It's really kind of spiraling out of control."

Chiasson added that the group probably only convenes in front of their house because the hire hydrant in front prevents cars from parking there.

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Members of the Highfield Road Gospel Hall say they are not homophobic, after they were accused of loudly reciting Bible verses outside a gay couple's house on a regular basis for seven years.

Followers of the church, based in Toronto, said they have never targeted specific houses or people based on sexual orientation, according to the National Post.

The group, armed with Bibles, assembled Sunday morning for their regular meeting on the street. However, this week about 10 residents chased them off the block, captured in the video below.

One unnamed church member told the National Post that the church has been doing the street preaching for 70 years and that they are not homophobic.

"You know, we're very sorry that this has happened. We're hurt that this has been misconstrued," he said. "If they feel they're being targeted, we feel sad about that. They're not being targeted. ... We're there for everyone to hear the gospel. We're not there to preach to just one house. That would be discrimination."