Alliance Councillor Patrick Brown has criticised the decision of a County Down Baptist Church to screen a controversial movie billed as a ‘gay cure’.
Speaking of his disgust at the move to show the film, the Rowallane Councillor appealed for local people to come out and support the LGBT community by opposing the showing at a special rally tonight.
Councillor Patrick Brown said: “I’m extremely disappointed to see a film of this nature being shown in Northern Ireland. Whilst I recognise the Church has every right to do so, the intolerant nature only seeks to ridicule and polarise our LGBT community and it is an extremely shameful decision.
“So called ‘gay cure’ therapies are fundamentally wrong and only serve as an attempt to stigmatize LGBT individuals and prey on vulnerable members of that community, many of who may already be experiencing suffering and distress in a society which consistently discriminates against their rights.
“I’ll be attending tonight’s alternative event, showing my support for the LGBT community in Northern Ireland and I would encourage as many people as possible who recognise this as simply wrong to come along and join me.
“I urge the Baptist Church to re-think it’s decision before irreversible damage to community relations is done.”
ENDS
A Peaceful Protest is scheduled to take place outside the Church (24 Lisburn road, ballynahinch) at 7.15pm tonight