Local equality campaigners are organising a peaceful protest for tonight August the 22nd after it emerged a homophobic hate preacher is due to appear at a Dumfries church this evening.
LGBT Dumfries and Galloway stated on their social media today “Angus Buchan was prevented from preaching in Galashiels due to the extremely controversial views he espouses on the LGBT community as a result he is now coming to Dumfries tonight. He preaches that homosexuality is a “disease” that it can be “cured” by prayer, for men to “remedy” their masculinity, and for women to subject themselves to their husbands and to support corporal punishment of their children.”
The Lighthouse Church, Dumfries, by giving a platform to Mr Buchan risks endorsing these messages. Prejudice and discrimination are not Christian values and we must stand together in support of LGBT Plus people, women and children. Join us in solidarity outside the church tonight. Bring your LOVE and PRIDE banners.
Local MSP’s Responding to the scheduled appearance –
Joan McAlpine MSP said: “The Lighthouse Church should not be endorsing these prejudiced messages by giving a platform to Mr Buchan. There comes a point where hate speech turns into violence. We know that LGBT+ people are subject to physical attack ranging from incidents in the street to horrific terrorists acts such as we saw recently in Orlando. That starts with hate speech. I would seriously question the decision made by the Lighthouse Church to host Mr Buchan, it seems very un-Christian.
“We have to take a zero tolerance approach to homophobia and bigotry.”
Ms McAlpine has also written to the Lighthouse Church in Dumfries to ask them to reconsider their invitation.
Emma Harper MSP said: “We need to come together to challenge this kind of hate speech and instead promote equality and respect through education.”
The politicians were commenting after it emerged the church is set to host notorious homophobic preacher Angus Buchan after a scheduled appearance in the Borders was cancelled due to local outcry.
One of the peaceful protest organisers said today while appealing for people from far and wide to come along ” We welcome everyone to stand together outside the church in support of the rights of the LGBT citizens. Bring your LOVE and PRIDE banners. Buses X74 from Glasgow and 101 from Edinburgh to Dumfries Whitesands bus station. Carlisle is a 37 min train trip, . We are 1hour 30 minute drive from Edininburgh and Glasgow.”
