Displaying items by tag: LGBTQ+

In December 2022, Slovakia’s former prime minister Robert Fico was facing numerous criminal charges which, if proven, would have seen the populist firebrand put behind bars. However, the charges were dropped, and in an election which observers say was fuelled by hate speech and pro-Kremlin conspiracy theories, he was returned to power last September. His government’s aggressive stance towards the LGBTQ+ community and other minorities has made many of those groups fearful of what the future holds. For this and other reasons, there is a considerable ‘brain drain’, especially of young people, to the Czech Republic. Also, over the border, Ukrainians are conscious of his promise to block EU sanctions against Russia and veto its package of military support for Kyiv.

Evangelist Franklin Graham has criticised the UK Methodist Church for its new Inclusive Language Guide, which advises avoiding gendered terms like 'husband' and 'wife’. Graham, the CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, expressed his disapproval on social media, emphasising the biblical significance of these terms and the importance of adhering to scriptural teachings rather than conforming to cultural shifts. The guide, updated every six months, aims to promote inclusivity, especially for LGBT+ people, by recommending terms like 'parent’, 'partner’, 'child', and 'carer' as alternatives. It also suggests using language and pronouns preferred by individuals. The Methodist Church defended the guide, stating it facilitates respectful conversations without making assumptions or unintentionally causing offence. This initiative aligns with the church's efforts to include LGBT+ individuals, as indicated by references to organisations like GLAAD and Stonewall in the guide. However, the denomination's Book of Discipline still prohibits LGBT-identified clergy from ordination and bans same-sex marriages. A significant legislative gathering in spring 2024 is expected to address these contentious issues further.

The killing of Jesus Ociel Baena, a prominent Mexican non-binary activist, has triggered widespread grief within the LGBTQ community, leading to candlelight vigils across the country. Many participants waved rainbow fans as they lashed out at the ongoing insults and violence faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Mexico. Baena and their partner, Dorian Nieves, were discovered dead in their home in Aguascalientes state. Baena had suffered multiple lacerations from a razor, including a likely fatal one to the neck. Preliminary evidence suggested the possibility of Nieves committing the murder and subsequently committing suicide, but Baena's father has rejected this theory. LGBTQ+ rights advocates pointed out that Baena had been threatened due to their activism and called for a careful, unbiased investigation to explore every possibility. Aguascalientes, known for its conservative values, had witnessed Baena breaking barriers as the first non-binary person as a state judge.

The CofE's General Synod has voted to offer blessings to same-sex couples in civil partnerships and marriages, marking a significant shift in its approach to LGBTQI+ issues. After a marathon debate, the Synod overwhelmingly approved the motion, which includes an acknowledgement and repentance for the Church's failure to adequately welcome LGBTQI+ people. This decision, however, does not alter the CofE's stance on gay marriage, as same-sex couples still cannot marry in church. Anglican churches will now be allowed to provide prayers of dedication or thanksgiving and blessings for same-sex couples after their legal marriage ceremonies. The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, described the vote as a hopeful moment for the Church, but Archbishop Stephen Cottrell recognised the persistent divisions, emphasising the goal of walking together despite deep disagreements.

Mainstream Americans, including many Christians, are speaking out against retail giant Target’s Pride Collection for 2023. Its LGBTQ+ clothing, celebrating Pride Month, includes onesies for infants featuring pro-LGBTQ content. One onesie includes the text ‘Being Proud’, while another features what appear to be LGBT rainbows and hearts with the transgender flag colours. Target is also selling children’s books with the LGBTQ theme, including ‘Bye-Bye Binary’ and ‘What Are Your Words’, which tells kids how to use transgender pronouns. Some products for kids also appear to feature drag queens, according to products sold on the company’s website. Target sells adult ‘tuck-friendly’ swimwear, for transgenders who are biological males, and have upped the ante by targeting children with this obscene line, according to Christian apologist Michael Brown. Target also features the products of an overtly satanic, radical LGBTQ+ supplier. The company has lost $11 billion since a boycott over its pride merchandise.

Tate Britain will host a drag queen story hour in half term hosted by ‘queer hero of literature’, neuro-divergent drag queen Aida H Dee. Catholic commentator Caroline Farrow has launched a petition for the Tate to stop ‘promoting gender ideology to children’ through its half-term free event. Her petition received over 8,000 signatures on its first day. She said drag queens are a form of adult entertainment mainly found in gay nightclubs, presenting a highly demeaning and distorted vision of women, which many find offensive. Drag acts do not constitute education and do not teach tolerance. Their aim is to expose children to sexualised and political messaging regarding the LGBTQ+ movement. Caroline is also concerned that the Tate produces a teaching and guidance resource for teachers and schools. It is co-authored with a transgender lobby group, is full of gender ideology, and encourages educational professionals to break the law.

Seven Australian rugby league team members boycotted a championship match against Sydney Roosters on religious grounds, after being told to wear a jersey celebrating LGBTQ+ rights, replacing white stripes with rainbow bands. Reverend Palu has never met the players but he’s proud of them, saying, ‘Christianity takes a very strong root in our people’. After another team told players to wear such a jersey without consulting them, that was another flashpoint in deepening tensions between people of faith and the mainstream community over sexuality and same-sex marriage. A similar battle is happening in schools, politics and inside the churches as secular and progressive religious communities embrace sexual diversity while theological conservatives say it contradicts the Bible. Reverend Fihaki said Christianity was ‘ingrained into our culture. It’s not just a matter of going to church on Sunday, it’s part of our DNA, it’s part of our culture, it is who we are’.

Last week a Liverpool venue for Franklin Graham’s UK tour cancelled the booking: now four more of the eight venues booked have cancelled, quoting reports of preaching hate, prejudice and intolerance. PinkNews and Northern Pride have praised the cancellations. Unfortunately Franklin, son of Billy Graham, has been criticised in the past for his attitude towards LGBTQ+ communities. Also, a Christian conference due to have Larry Stockstill preach will no longer be able to do so unless they change venue. According to the Times, he has described same-sex relationships as ‘offensive’, ‘repulsive’, and ‘deeply grievous.’ Larry is a preacher, author, and pastors' mentor who runs a church planting network. He was due to speak alongside Gavin Calver of the Evangelical Alliance at a conference to equip church growth. See

Franklin Graham is scheduled to preach the gospel in eight cities across the United Kingdom later this year, but one of those stops is now in jeopardy after the venue cancelled the 12 June booking over his biblical views on LGBTQ issues. ACC Liverpool, an arena and conference centre, said, ‘Over the past few days we have been made aware of a number of Graham’s statements which we consider to be incompatible with our values. In light of this we can no longer reconcile the balance between freedom of speech and the divisive impact this event is having in our city. We have informed the organisers of the event that the booking will no longer be fulfilled.’ Graham, though, said that everyone is welcome. ‘The Gospel is inclusive, I'm not coming out of hate, I'm coming out of love.’ A Change.org petition that labelled Graham a ‘homophobic hate preacher’ had gathered more than 350 signatures as of 28 January.

About 70 schools have experienced resistance from parents on relationships education. The Department of Education has published a document stating that councils could enforce action if pupils are withdrawn from school when parents disagree with teaching material. It also suggests that, if demonstrators are outside school gates, head teachers could liaise with police. Teachers who read the document told of their frustration at not being consulted beforehand. They feel unsupported to tackle a sensitive situation. New relationship education is planned for all primary pupils from September 2020. Meanwhile Maureen Griffith, a Christian school governor, was suspended after questioning LGBT reading material. She became concerned that parents had not been properly consulted about plans for reading lists tying in with LGBTQ+ Pride Month, to be introduced for the next school year. Parents believe that whoever influences what children think, and teaches values to live by, controls the future direction of our society. See