UK: Multi-faith Conference investigates faith, homophobia and human rights

This statement was ratified by the 250 people from over 50 organisations who attended the one-day conference on Faith, Homophobia and Human Rights held in London this weekend, 17 February 2007, which was opened by Cllr Brian Coleman, Chair of the Greater London Assembly. The opening speech was delivered by Lord (Chris) Smith, former Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, chairman-designate Advertising Standards Authority.

Conference organiser, Revd Richard Kirker of the Lesbian & Gay Christian Movement [LGCM] explained: "Members of the world's six largest religions, as well as humanists, secularists, agnostics, and atheists, from a wide variety of political parties, trade unions, and community groups drawn from the whole of Britain, showed they wanted to work more closely together in the face of threats from religious fundamentalists."

"The conference clearly believed it was more important to unite and bear witness to the importance of promoting human rights, than to dwell on differences which would pale into irrelevant insignificance if fundamentalism's inherently intolerant agenda were to gain strength. The spirit and vision of the 250 people who attended showed how much cooperation is possible, and how much goodwill there is to challenge homophobia. The Commission on Equality and Human Rights (CEHR), in particular, has been sent a strong signal to address these issues with the priority they clearly deserve. We will be writing to a large number of faith and public bodies to draw their attention to the wishes of the conference and inviting them to act on key recommendations," he added.

Speakers at the conference included Lord Smith, as well as Vic Codling of the Gay Police Association; Revd Malcolm Duncan of Faithworks; Revd Giles Fraser, broadcaster and Guardian columnist and Team Rector of Putney, who is also the president of Inclusive Church; Sandhya Drew, Barrister, Tooks Chambers and specialist in Equality and Human Rights Law; Kay Carberry, Assistant General Secretary, TUC who is currently an Equal Opportunities Commissioner; and Arpita Dutt, a partner at Russell Jones and Walker solicitors and chair of the London Anti-Racist Alliance

Ali Hilli, an Iraqi LGBT activist received a standing ovation after a passionate speech outlining the onslaught of murderous antigay religious fundamentalism in post-war Iraq.

Audio podcasts of the main speeches and a selection of photographs can be downloaded here



A Statement from the Faith, Homophobia and Human Rights Conference

The Faith, Homophobia, & Human Rights Conference, gathered in London on 17th February 2007, calls on all people of goodwill, of whatever faith or none, to affirm and celebrate human equality in all its dimensions and particularly to work for the elimination of any faith-based homophobia and institutionalised prejudice towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

We reject the activities of certain religious leaders, seeking exemptions from equality legislation, and attempts to base this on the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, such a right being for all, not just for some. We deplore the internalised homophobia within religious institutions that fails to confront prejudice and hate. We encourage and support those faith organisations, which express their commitment to diversity and equality in practice and policy. We believe that full civil rights for LGBT individuals are not only consistent with the right to religious freedom, but are rooted in the best and fundamental teachings of all major faiths; love, justice, compassion, and mercy, such values being shared by all who seek the common good.

We call for further progressive public policy that will deliver comprehensive and effective anti-discrimination legislation, including positive duties, on the basis of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, and belief. We call on the newly formed Commission for Equality and Human Rights to listen to the experience of LGBT faith networks and those who have suffered homophobia from and within religious organisations.

Today, the alliance of over fifty faith and secular organisations supporting this conference affirms and celebrates the values of human equality and social justice, rooted in the best of faith traditions, and shared by all who are committed to a fully human vision of a transformed society.

Details of the Conference Sponsors, Supporting Bodies, Speakers, Panelists, and Workshops are available at www.lgcm.org.uk/fhconference