On Wednesday 11th November at 3.30pm in Westminster Hall, Robert Key, MP for Salisbury, has arranged for a debate to take place on:
“The Application of the Sex Discrimination Legislation to Religious Organisations”.
WATCH has more information here.
More information about Westminster Hall debates is available here. Debates are open to the public.
What a wonderful opportunity for people residing in London, who recognise the need for support for the LGBT community, to attend what will prove to be a most important debate on the whole issue of sexual orientation, and the cultural and spiritual effects of discrimination against a significant minority of people who are different from what many people would see as ‘the norm’. Now that the issue of LGBT human rights is being canvassed – the context of the hideous attempt in Uganda to further criminalise homosexuals – this might be a critical time for those of you who really… Read more »
So our government is making its concerns known. Deafening silence from our church.
I think that this debate is perhaps more about gender discrimination and the fact that,if General Synod votes for statutory transfer, the Church would find itself in the extraordinary position of asking Parliament to pass legislation which directly discriminates against women.
However, I also understand that the new Equality legislation will offer a very narrow scope for religious institutions to discriminate against LGBT people and so this is also relevant.
Fr. Ron Smith; I have read, enjoyed and agree with most of your coments. One question. Are you a priest in the Church of England or The Episcopal Church ? It is not of great importance
as I do believe you understand and evaluate both very well. Please keep on with your comments.
Carl. Thank you for your kind comments. Regarding your question, I was born, Baptized and Confirmed in England (C.of E.) but later became an S.S.F. Brother, working in both Australia and New Zealand, and was then called and ordained a priest within the Anglican Church of Aotearoa/New Zealand. I am interested in all parts of our beloved Anglican Communion.
“Deafening silence from our church.” writes Richard Ashby (Saturday, 7 November 2009) Except Robert Key is a churchman of some distinction, working within the House of Commons, and he is a Lay Canon of Salisbury Cathedral.
Any news then ?
Yes, L Roberts, see new article above linking to the transcript of the debate.