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Original poster

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

200 replies

Bossybritches22 · 28/01/2012 15:47

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.
OP posts:
Original poster
Bossybritches22 · 28/01/2012 18:36

notfluffy you had my response to your opinion on the other thread.

Just how am I being hypocritical? Politically naive maybe, but I practice what I preach , if you'll excuse the term.

OP posts:
MMMarmite · 28/01/2012 18:37

"Mainstream religions are the ones, sanctioned by the government, who are making homophobia acceptable, it might be subtle but it's just as harmful. Kids are growing up with the feeling that it's still not altogether right to be gay, the government says so when they make these allowances to the churches."

Interesting point notfluffyatall, I'd never really thought of it this way, but you make a lot of sense. What do you think we should do about it? I guess I'm worried that pushing too hard would be counterproductive, and I'm kind of hoping mainstream churches will come around eventually of their own accord.

Original poster
Bossybritches22 · 28/01/2012 18:42

Marmite many mainstream churches ARE coming round, inch by painful inch. (I accpet many are NOT ) Still huge strides to be made, but the fact that there is far greater acceptance and many allowing and embracing civil partnerships is all a positive as far as I'm concerned.

OP posts:
notfluffyatall · 28/01/2012 18:43

Just airing my views with the wider audience that's all.

You appear to be relatively accepting of the homophobia already here, you feel there's not a lot can be done about it, it's 'slowly' improving I believe you said. I'm not gay and it pisses me right off. If you're the activist type you need to deal with the problem at it's roots, and the roots of the UK's homophobia problem doesn't lie with these fundies, it's deep-rooted into our own religious system and has no intention, in some cases, of changing.

notfluffyatall · 28/01/2012 18:45

"....ut the fact that there is far greater acceptance and many allowing and embracing civil partnerships is all a positive as far as I'm concerned."

Throwing the hungry dog a biscuit is all this is as far as I'm concerned.

Original poster
Bossybritches22 · 28/01/2012 19:07

Well good for you notfluffy we need activists like you but with all due respect I'll campaign my way, fighting from the inside slowly.

I don't accept homophobia, I accept it's there and yes it IS slowly improving, look at the difference even over our lifetimes, civil partnerships, celebrations in church, christenings of children of gays all things that we'd never have dreamt of even 20 years ago. Why not look at what HAS been achieved and be glad of it as well as looking forward and working on what still needs to change.

We can't change it all at once, (wish that we could!) but I am a realist and would rather try and influence peoples views on a personal level.

Just MHO.

OP posts:
CrabbyBigbottom · 28/01/2012 20:00

Exactly what ReallyTired said.

It's offensive, deluded dross. But they have a right to express their opinions because we have freedom of speech in this country. And thank fuck we do - I am glad that people have the right to express whatever crap they like - that indicates that we are living in a democracy.

NormanTebbit · 28/01/2012 20:04

The BNP isn't a banned party.

Frankly I like the fact you know what you are dealing with if you allow people to speak freely. With the BNP you do. It have to dig deep to see the agenda behind the thinly veiled focus on 'WW2 Dunkirk spirit' stringing up paedophiles and repatriating anyone who settled here since the Norman invasion of 1066.

I think so much progress has been made on gay rights in the last decade. I was a SAHM for 7 years and when I returned to work I was delighted to see gay people 'out' discussing plans for children, civil partnership ceremonies etc.

I don't think there is much appetite for outright homophobia these says ( although there is still some way to go in some areas)

NormanTebbit · 28/01/2012 20:05

Sorry 'you don't have to dig deep'

AngiBolen · 28/01/2012 20:16

There will always be wankers spouting shite I don't agree with.

I'm waiting for the group who want to turn black people white.

Just as ridiculous, IMO.

Whatmeworry · 28/01/2012 20:22

Free country, free speech.

StrandedBear · 28/01/2012 20:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

notfluffyatall · 28/01/2012 20:26

Take a look at this OP, todays BBC news. There's who you need to write to.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16771101

Original poster
Bossybritches22 · 28/01/2012 21:23

I'll add him to my list notfluffy

But at least he hasn't called me a leper.

OP posts:
NiceViper · 28/01/2012 21:27

notfluffy: I agree, I think that that statement is far more important than giving publicity to the antics (which would otherwise have sunk without trace) of a foreign fringe organisation.

The BBc is also carrying an article about attitudes to homosexuality in the UK soccer world. Again something I think warrants greater attention.

MummytoKatie · 28/01/2012 21:40

I disagree with them but believe they have the right to say it. If they want to make themselves look like pratts then that is their perogitive.

bobbledunk · 28/01/2012 21:41

Everything is offensive to somebody, if we are to ban offense there would be nothing allowed, no freedom of speech, thought, dress, music, shops, alcohol, tv etc,.. you would go on forever. There is a big problem with people who are trying to ban everything that is offensive to themselves, not only is it dictatorial, it is incredibly stupid. How can you not realise that banning the beliefs of religious nuts on grounds of discrimination won't turn on the people whose lifestyles are offensive to the religious nuts?

If we say, you can't preach that homosexuality is a sin because it offends, then surely that areas with high religious populations can claim a gay rights march or pamphlet offends and must be banned.

There is no freedom for anybody without the right to offend.

Incitement to hatred or violence is different but these nuts are trying to convert and 'save' the gays, they are not promoting beating them up on the streets or kidnapping off the streets to 'save' them, they can easily be ignored, no gays are going to go near them unless they want the 'cure', which they will find doesn't work and likely will have to learn to accept themselves instead.

cutteduppear · 28/01/2012 21:47

Thanks for letting me know about this.

I'm going to go.

I will be outside with a placard and lots of gay friends I hope.

Original poster
Bossybritches22 · 28/01/2012 21:54

They have a right to call gays lepers? Shock

It's NOT just a question of being seen to be pratts.

It is a hideous insult that may seem easy to shrug off if you are straight.

But by shrugging it off we are condoning it.

Why is that such a difficult idea to grasp?

The attitudes in football are awful, the churches attitude is awful but why does it have to be one thing is worse than another, a pissing contest?

They are ALL bad.

OP posts:
yellowraincoat · 28/01/2012 21:56

Unfortunately, Bossybritches, yes, they are allowed to call gays lepers. We do have free speech in this country and part of that is that people will say things we don't like.

It's shit and awful, but there are homophobic people in the world and all you can do is tell them you disagree with them and hope they learn one day.

Tee2072 · 28/01/2012 22:00

Let them speak and prove themselves idiots.

Original poster
Bossybritches22 · 28/01/2012 22:13

Well I'm bowing out of this thread as I am obviously totally at odds with the majority of MN-ers in thinking that I was NBU to be upset.

Interesting discussion ladies and gents thanks for the comments, forgive me if I don't agree with most of them.

Good night.

OP posts:
notfluffyatall · 28/01/2012 22:14

I'm not sure about those who are saying that they have a right to their freedom of speech. If those homophobics are entitled to go to a public venue and use language like leper about a minority group you'll disagree with the furore around the racism in football. Surely the racists are just exercising their right to freedom of speech. No, I believe in free speech like others but there is a line to be drawn. I won't tolerate intolerance.

cutteduppear · 28/01/2012 22:17

If anyone would like to join me protesting outside the conference on Friday (drag queen costume optional) please PM me.

yellowraincoat · 28/01/2012 22:23

I think it's a complicated issue.

Someone shouting "poof" or whatever at a gay person, I wouldn't see as free speech, but as an act of hate and therefore an offence. Having a conference where gay people are said to be ill - the thing is, that's just their opinion and it's a stupid opinion but you can't tell them not to have it. But anyone who wants to hear that opinion can go there and listen to it and anyone who doesn't want to can stay away.

It's not like at a football match. The footballers don't go there to hear racist chants against them. They go there to play football. So it's not really the same thing.

I am bisexual by the way, so this issue does affect me, but I just feel happier ignoring it. I think there are issues surrounding sexuality that bother me more.