Living in the somewhat safe cocoon of LGBT based work, being married to an incredible woman and having many LGBT friends both on and off the scene it can sometimes be easy to think that the tentacles of homophobic intolerance no longer to continue to reach out and attempt to crush people, who love, in their grip of hate.

But sadly, I am all too often reminded of this hate by our readers. I say ‘sadly’ as it is so sad that people continue to be subjected to this hatred but, I am also thankful that people feel that they can approach us for support and advice when they are targeted for no other reason other than the fact that they love people of the same sex.

Below, are just two examples of these attacks. Both occurred on Facebook, the first one was received randomly by a lesbian when she merely returned home from work and received a message from a stranger.

The second post was received by a woman from someone who she actually knew and was ‘friends’ with.

‘REPENT from your Homosexual lifestyle. It is NOT in God's plan and it saddens him and me. He loves you and so do I.’

AND…

‘Strange obnoxious abnormal wankers behaviour called gays male and female. I put them all in the same sick vein as paedophiles as they and gays say automatically that they have a 'gene' that 'NORMAL' people do not have. What a fucking cop out!!!

As for being a 'WOMAN' you 'TOTALLY' forfeit that when you become obscenely sick when you go 'TOTALLY UNNATURALLY' for the same sex..Read your Bible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!’

I find it bizarre that people use God as an excuse to spread hate. I thought God and religion in its pure form was about love.

According to the Old Testament, Leviticus 18:22 to be exact, homosexuality is an abomination. Yes, it does say that but it also says many other things that people choose to ignore.

A listener responded to a US radio talk show host who calls herself Dr Laura. Dr Laura told her audience that homosexuality can never be condoned under any circumstances and quoted Leviticus to back up her argument. The listener responded with this open letter…

“Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination... End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odour for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is, my neighbors. They claim the odour is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath.Exodus 35:2. clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle- room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.” (Source allthingsqueer)

Well said!

Sarah Carmody

editor@gayleeds.com  

.