Updated
An announcement from the Cutting Edge Consortium:
Cutting Edge Consortium marks its launch by inviting you to continue the debates of the Faith, Homophobia, Transphobia & Human Rights Conferences 2007 & 2009
“EQUALITY BILL: OPT IN vs OPT OUT”
An open meeting to discuss religious exemptions to the legislation on sexuality and gender identity in the Equality Bill
Hosted by Clare Short MP, speakers will include:
- Sarah Bourke (Tooks Chambers)
- Andrew Copson (British Humanist Association)
- Maleiha Malik (Muslim Women’s Network)
- Michael Rubenstein (Equal Opportunities Review)
Date/Time: 1900-2100, Tuesday 24th November
Venue: Committee Room 5, House of Commons
The Cutting Edge Consortium includes the Lesbian & Gay Christian Movement, Interfaith Alliance UK, British Humanist Association, Muslim Education Centre Oxford, Liberal Judaism, Trades Union Congress, and A:Gender, Centre for the Study of Christianity & Sexuality, Ekklesia, Inclusive Church, LGBT Consortium of Voluntary & Community Organisations.
Contact email: cuttingedgeconsortium1@googlemail.com
Ekklesia has a report of the meeting, see Religious and secular groups unite to launch anti-discrimination coalition.
Wonderful to see this LGCM initiative bearing fruit. So few self interest groups have an impact beyond their own constituency.
Richard Kirker has worked tirelessly on this project over the last two years.
Is not this debate now unnecessary? In view of the E.U. declaration that discrimination against LGBT persons is unconstitutional in the eyes of the European Parliament? There is no doubt, though, that many people still have to be convinced – even in the Church.
Interesting Vatican Radio interview with Dr Williams has a brief section on the gay issue: http://www.oecumene.radiovaticana.org/EN1/Articolo.asp?c=336307
Thank you, Spirit, for making available to us, on your comment (above), the Vatican Radio broadcast interview with Archbishop Rowan. It was certainly well worth the effort to plug into and hear the ABC clearly stating his convictions regarding the notion of papal authority, the need for women to be included in the ministry of our Church and for a serious consideration of the current problems of Climate change. I found the fact that he did not enlarge on the situation of LGBT acceptance in the Church was somewhat disappointing. however, he did indicate that the status quo, as far… Read more »
The Trades Union Congress has issued a press release about this, see
http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality/tuc-17273-f0.cfm
It is good to see this from the TUC. However, I cannot forget that the TUC itself only began supporting lesbian and gay rights recently.
They dragged their feet for decades.
“‘Teachers, education support staff, employees of faith based charities and other religious organisations, all deserve equal rights at work, regardless of their sexuality.'” T.U.C. statement Don’t knock it, Rev. L., this is another landmark Statement – on the part of the Trades Union Movement. It is from such organisations that the public at large can be educated in the realities of the need for acceptance of LGBT and other constituencies within the community at large that need such public endorsement of their simple *right to exist’. The more organisations that choose to affirm our cause, the better; surely – in… Read more »