Sadly, I didn't get to see the whole of Peter Tatchell's talk at Greenbelt, which was entitled 'The Struggle for Queer Freedom in Africa', but it is outlined on the Greenbelt Blog. I don't know what I expected, but I suppose I was influenced by Mouse's post, where Tatchell is quoted as saying:
Religion is the world’s single greatest fount of obscurantism, prejudice, superstition and oppression. It has caused misery to billions of people worldwide for millennia, and continues to do so in many parts of the worldThere were calls for a boycott of Greenbelt by Anglican Mainstream, purely because he was to speak there. What sort of scary monster were they expecting? Hence, when I turned up at the venue, I was amazed to find an atmosphere of compassion and stillness. I long line of people had formed, waiting to receive the microphone, so that they could say something to Peter Tatchell, often a word of thanks, or a testimony about what being gay and discriminated against felt like.
In response, Peter Tatchell handled the comments with grace, kindness and intelligence. I was struck by how effortlessly articulate he was. I wondered what he was feeling. He told stories of how persistent campaigning did change things. He said he had written to Islamic leaders over and over again, not asking them to condone homosexuality, but pleading to allow it to be an issue of human rights, and not to stand in the way of equality legislation. This approach had eventually borne fruit, and in the end they hadn't stood in the way. His approach seemed appropriate and respectful.
He commended the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, he said that this (Christian) group was one of the biggest LGBT organisation in the UK. I was shocked to hear him being so warm about a religious organisation. He encouraged us all to join, whatever our sexuality.
By the way, I think this from the LibDems is a good thing.
By the way, I think this from the LibDems is a good thing.
2 comments:
Peter Tatchell is a human rights campaigner who has done much good work over the years.
Sure, he is militant, but he espouses his views without hysterics and in a way, which does not offend me.
In an age, where free speach is increasingly curtailed or censored, it is good that his has not been silenced.
This does not mean that I support all of his views, particularly regarding religion, but I support his right to hold them and talk about them.
It is just a pity that he feels that he is unable to expound fairness for all, without pointing the finger.
Although I have not been a huge fan of Peter Tatchell, especially in his earlier days when he seemed to focus on publicity stunts, I am glad Greenbelt invited him, and that he accepted the invitation.
I find it diffcult to understand why Anglican Mainstream and others make such a fuss about invitations like this. I don't have to agree with someone to hear what they have to say or to debate and ask questions. If we only invite people who will only tell us what we already think we know or know we think, what is the point of that? Should Jesus not have spoken wiht the Pharisees and Saducees and Herodians etc.? I suppose the problem is, if we actually meet and have conversation with someone, we might find out they are not the bogeymen (bogeypeople?) of our fevered imaginations and they might have something to teach (and we them). Too much fear.
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