...to froth at this homophobic "Conference" being allowed to tour the UK?

[Bossybritches22]

OK re-posted from a less busy section but advised to post here as it'll get more reaction/support, my first AIBU so be gentle with me!

I'm so <img loading="lazy" class="inline-flex mumsnet-emoji" alt="Sad" src="https://www.mumsnet.com/build/assets/sad-q5SIe0Cq.png"> and cross I can hardly type, but here's the gist. 

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.humanism.org.uk/news/view/973" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How can this happen in London 2012??</a>

It slipped under the radar as the press didn't get hold of it until after 9am yesterday and the "conference" was scheduled for yesterday afternoon and evening. It has been touring the UK I'm trying to find out where it is going next.

 They believe being gay is a malignancy and can be "cured"

I believe in the past US churches have been banned from coming here and spreading their bigotry  so should this one have been?

It has been pointed out to me that some of the exisiting churches in the UK are just as homophobic, in their own way.However I do think, gradually, there are more that are accepting of gay church members, I know we have a long way to go yet but tolerating this particular brand is particularly abhorrent to me. 
Thanks for reading this.

YANBU. I saw your thread earlier. It's shocking that they would be allowed to spread that kind of message.

Why isn't this being stopped for inciting hatred?

It is repungant, but people do have the right to freedom of speech and belief.
In fact Islam is equally homophobic as Christianity.

Its no worse or better than the British National Party.

Where do you draw the line? This organisiation are not actually inciting violence against homosexuals. Sad to say, the right to free speech is the right to be offensive.

I agree that its horrible and I agree its abhorrent. I think that if they got banned it would give publicity to their "cause".

Let market forces deal with it. Presumably they're not cruising (no pun intended!) around Soho kidnapping gay people off the street. So if absolutely no gay people want to go then it will be a big failure.

If some people want to go then that's their choice and nothing to do with you, however offensive you find it.

And having freedom of speech means that someone, somewhere will ALWAYS be offended. 'Tis actually a very small price to pay for free speech.

But we only have free speech up to a point. We are not allowed to incite hatred.

ReallyTired these are an american group, with the BNP and all, we have enough homegrown bigots we don't need their dross as well

They may not be inciting violence but their actions in trying to "cure" those confused by their identity can cause untold psychological damage and most MH professionals are disturbed by this approach and condemn it.

this is some of their literature

Agree completely AKissIsNotAContract but they are not inciting hatred.

Their website states,

"CORE is a non-profit Christian initiative seeking to support men and women with homosexual issues who voluntarily seek change in sexual preference and expression. It respects the rights of individuals who identify as 'gay' who do not seek change."

People have the right to hold differing opinions provided they don't break the law.

Rhinestone no out gay person would go, but what about those who are persuaded and pressurized by their families/ pastors because they are so indoctrinated that they can be "cured"?

Ok so you agree that it's OK to call gays lepers and malignancies?? [shocked]

Good thread title Bossy :)

I hope you get a lot of support over here (AIBU) and not too much grief!

oops

Many of them are also hypocrites

Thanks Chipping

We have free speech in this country. They are allowed to say what they like without inciting hatred.

Personally I don't think there will be much interest in this country- except for those who already hold these views- we are a country which has civil partnerships.

I appreciate there are issues with some people's families but you can't start restricting basic human rights because some families are fucked up.

I'm not saying that these people sound wonderful and I want to invite them round for dinner - just saying that if they're not breaking the law then they have as much right to freedom of speech as anyone. And the right to never ever be offended, ever, is not as important as the right to freedom of speech within the law.

Anyway, in a week when Cynthia Nixon has stated that for her, being gay is a choice, it's clear that there isn't even 100% agreement in 'the gay community'!!

akiss that made my day.....

Rekers also neglected to explain what had drawn him to Lucien, who has long blond hair and well developed muscles in pictures on the website.

If you want to froth at a legal event, then go ahead.

But as the only time I'd heard of this shower coming to UK is via those who are purporting to condemn it, I do wonder who works for whose PR initiatives.

Ok so you agree that it's OK to call gays lepers and malignancies??

No I don't, to me that is extremely offensive. I also think it's extremely offensive to use the word 'mong' (Ricky Gervais) and to generally make fun of disabled children (Frankie Boyle) or to call British soldiers 'murderers' (extremist Islamic group whose name escapes me).

I just don't think we can arrest people for saying things we don't like because sooner or later someone is going to come for you or me.

Bossy: there are some more here

What constitutes inciting hatred? Is it limited to directly threatening harm?

Got to say I agree with rhinestone, they are entitled to their own opinion.

I don't know what the law is on this. I assume it is legal. When I was walking down the street minding my own business, a Christian with a megaphone called me a harlot who seduced men in nightclubs and nobody arrested him.

those who struggle with same sex sins is a disease of epic proportions, a malignancy....The Lepers Among Us

Acceptable...really?

The event was highlighted by many different gay publications and also the Humanist Society NiceViper

It may have been a legal event but that is my arguement, should something that is so against the equality legislation of this country be allowed to circulate.

There is an "encitement to hatred" clause in the Equality act referring to " materials intended to stir up hatred directed towards lesbian and gay people"

Rhinestone I'm not asking that they be arrested, just thrown out of the country, and not allowed back in.

Bossybritches we cannot throw a convicted terrorist out of the country, someone who has actually committed appalling crimes.

You don't like these people, I don't like these people but the fact is they have committed no crime. And I suspect that they are assisted by British people so we can't exactly throw British people out of the country.

Like I said, if no-one goes then job done!