In Nigeria, 18 men who were arrested last year under Sharia law on charges of sodomy have had their charges reduced to cross-dressing, according to the BBC. As a result, they will no longer face the death penalty if convicted, but will still be severely punished. With the Nigerian (Anglican) church’s vocal opposition to LGBT rights, who will call for justice for these people? (Thanks to Elizabeth Kaeton at the Telling Secrets blog.)
Church leaders in Jamaica have rejected a plea to their government by the International Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches to act to end violence against LGBT people. One pastor called the idea of conducting a public awareness campaign to sensitise Jamaicans on the issue is “ludicrous.” By failing to condemn violence, does the church not share in the moral responsibility for it? (Thanks to Box Turtle Bulletin.)
Closer to home, Timothy Kinkaid asks, “In Response to the Murder of [Gay Teenager] Lawrence King, Where is the Voice of the Church?“ He finds American Christians too busy shouting down the “homosexual agenda” to take time out to condemn hate violence motivated by sexual orientation or gender non-conformity.
