UK ‘Gay Cure’ Seminar Cancelled After Protests
A ‘gay cure’ convention scheduled to take place in London later this month — featuring the same speakers that were in Bermuda earlier this year — has been cancelled after protests, including an online petition that attracted over 40,000 signatures.
Mike Carducci, Wayne Blakely and Danielle Harrison of the Coming Out Ministries were invited to speak by the UK Seventh Day Adventist Church, with GSN reporting that gay people were “specifically invited in order to help them ‘overcome’ their ‘sexual habits.”
The statement cancelling the event said, “A decision was taken on Monday, 13 April to cancel the ‘Holy Sexuality’ Conference originally planned for London, 21-25 April 2015.
“Seventh-day Adventists are a people of peace who believe in hope and dialogue. However, it appeared that rather than drawing people together the conference had the potential to divide. The Adventist Church recognises that the individuals invited to speak at the Holy Sexuality Conference have compelling life stories to share but equally appreciate that there are those who take a different point of view.
“We are disappointed that in a society that values freedom of speech and divergence of opinion that there are those whose wish it is to silence individuals who hold a different point of view to their own.
“We do not believe that the potential disruptions that were being planned for this event would have been beneficial either to the participants or to our friends in the LGBT community. As such a decision has been made to cancel the event which had been locally organised by a group of members in the South London area.
“The Adventist Church strongly subscribes to a belief in freedom of speech. This also includes the freedom to hold different views. The Seventh-day Adventist Church seeks to minister to all men and women in the spirit of Jesus, recognising that every human being is valuable in the sight of God.
“As a Bible believing Church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church affirms the dignity of all human beings, and as a Church is well known for its commitment to community work both globally and locally in London.”
In response to the same group being invited to speak on the island earlier this year, the Rainbow Alliance of Bermuda said, “The Rainbow Alliance of Bermuda is aware of an event being hosted by the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Southampton and question their continued focus on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) individuals.
“It is disappointing to hear that there is an effort by the ‘Coming Out Ministries’ guest speakers to alter the sexual orientation of individuals. We accept people of all sexual orientations and gender identities and reject the notion that individuals should be or could be forced to change their identities.
“The event flyer claims there will be discussions on how to treat LGBTQ family, friends, or co-workers. The only way to treat any of these individuals is with the respect and dignity all humans deserve. “
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Seventh day adventurists are just out right crazy period. Why was it allowed to happen here? Enough people spoke against it or is such discrimination and hate speech allowed here?
” Why was it allowed to happen here?
because, despite pink sand and the ability to say good morning, bermudians are overwhelmingly bigoted people.
oh my God this is funny….cure….overcome sexual habits….sater day is the sixth day…man was created on the seventh…when God was tired…this much is for sure…ha ha ha…you have to stop…my sude is hurting…ha ha ha ….oh my God….i think He is probably laughing too…
side
Does anyone know when the “Cure Stupidity” conference is scheduled? Should be a packed house.
…like the black mayors conference – cancelled probably due to oversubscription.
I spent my teens and 20′s desperately involved in “conversion therapy.” I was a true believer. At 31, I had a girlfriend…but there I was, taking the elevator to the top of the Empire State Building and thinking the unthinkable. I just didn’t see a way out. My truth was abominable to the Church and shameful to my family should they ever find out… While it’s often called “reparative therapy,” it almost destroyed me. Bryan Christopher (Author, Hiding from Myself)
Maybe the fact that 40,000 people objected to this in the UK should tell those bigoted Bermudians something. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but to allow talks like this in a civilised, democratic (and UK based) country is something we should not allow.
To BRYAN CHRISTOPHER, I hear you with all my Heart! But for some reason Bernews’ Voting “Like” or “Dislike” will not accept my Vote! Therefore, the “Like” vote count remains at just 1, because it will not accept more votes – (maybe I “timed-out”?) I wonder how many other people tried to vote “Like” in Support of all you said!?! Anyway, know that there is at least one, and I strongly suspect MANY others out here, who have read what you revealed from the very depths of your Heart – and I/(or we) SUPPORT YOU 100% with all of our Open Minds and Open Hearts!!!