Britain's gay community are outraged at the news that a gay
conversion conference is taking place in central London,
today.
The touring conference, which has already taken place in Belfast,
is outrageously titled The Lepers Amongst Us: Homosexuality and the
Life of the Church.
Organised by The Core Issues Trust, the conference will take place
at the Emmanuel Centre church, Westminster, between 10am-5.30pm and
6.30pm-8pm.
It is due to go ahead despite condemnation from community groups
where the conference has been previously held, plus criticism from
professional organisations declaring so-called conversion therapies
as harmful.
Our sister news site PinkPaper.com called the Emmanuel Centre at
9am this morning to learn first-hand how they can justify hosting
the conference, but were unable to obtain a quote or speak to a
staff member.
They called them again at 9.30am but could still not contact a
representative. Having left a message, they are yet to hear from
them.
A mission statement on the Emmanuel Centre's website says: "The
Emmanuel Centre is part of the Emmanuel Evangelical Church. Our
principles are based on Christian Values.
"The evidence of these values come through deeds and actions. Our
business and service principles reflect our values and our
professional conduct and business dealings are truthful and always
adhering to our core principles of honesty and integrity."
Commenting on the event, which is being organised by the
American-based Core Issues Trust, the British Humanist Association
Head of Public Affairs, Naomi Phillips, told PinkPaper.com: "The
Core Issues Trust state they wish to work with those who 'seek to
change from a "gay" lifestyle to a gender-affirming one', however
the suggestion that homosexuality is a problem in need of a 'cure'
is deeply insulting to lesbian, gay and bisexual people, profoundly
objectionable, and wrong.
"Specious claims that someone's sexual orientation can be changed
through religion or therapy lack any credible basis, and conversion
therapy can prove extremely harmful, especially where vulnerable
individuals are being targeted.
"These kinds of biblically-inspired attempts to change sexual
orientation have been repeatedly denounced by the UK Council for
Psychotherapy, the British Medical Association, and the Royal
College of Psychiatrists."
Professor Andrew Samuels, Chair of the United Kingdom Council for
Psychotherapy, told PinkPaper.com: "This isn't about respecting
religious belief or freedom of speech. Those are just smokescreens.
This is really about homophobia - fear and hatred of sexual
minorities - often fuelled by highly controversial readings of
scripture.
"Every responsible organisation in the field of psychotherapy,
counselling and mental health has expressed extreme concern at the
practice of therapy intended to change sexual orientation. Such
attempts are profoundly unethical, don't work, and exploit the
undeniable difficulties people from sexual minorities
experience in our society. It is vital that people don't get fooled
by expressions of love and support for gays and lesbians emanating
from the Core Issues Trust."
