Two Christian women have been singled out and vilified as ‘bigots’ by a homosexual charity because of their Christian beliefs.
Christian MP Iris Robinson was voted ‘Bigot of the Year’ after Stonewall – a registered charity – encouraged supporters to choose from a list of nominees that also included Christian registrar Lillian Ladele.
Stonewall’s Chief Executive Ben Summerskill is an Equality and Human Rights Commissioner, with responsibility for championing “equality and human rights for all, working to eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality, protect human rights and to build good relations, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to participate in society”.
The results of the vote were made known last night at the Stonewall Awards, held at the V&A museum in London and reportedly attended by celebrities and politicians.
Earlier this year, Mrs Robinson came under fire for using the biblical term “abomination” to describe the practice of homosexuality.
“I was very careful in saying that I have nothing against any homosexual,” she said at the time. “I love them; that is what the Lord tells me, to love the sinner and not the sin.”
She later added: “Anything I say is out of love. I am not hate-mongering. I cannot leave my Christian values hanging at the door when I go into politics.”
Christian registrar Lillian Ladele was nominated after she refused to register civil partnerships because of her Christian views on marriage.
An employment tribunal recently ruled that Lillian had been bullied and faced the sack over her beliefs.
Lord Devon, the Christian owner of Powderham Castle who decided not to allow civil partnerships or weddings to take place on his estate, was also on the list.
Gene Robinson, an openly homosexual bishop from America, was voted Hero of the Year. He had been nominated alongside Revd Martin Dudley, who conducted a ‘wedding-like’ ceremony for two homosexual clergy over the summer.
Last year, Stonewall gave the ‘Bigot’ award to the Bishop of Hereford, who was fined £47,000 after he wouldn’t appoint a homosexual to the post of church youth worker.