Scottish Reverend Links Homosexuality And Pedophilia And Suggests Proposed Same Sex Marriage Measure “Attack On Bible,” Ohio High School Student Newspaper Creates Controversy With “Deeper Look Into Homosexuality” Insert, Houston Gay Activist Arrested, Pennsylvania Township Adopts Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Based On Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity

The Scotsman reports that proponents of same sex marriage complained to the police about an “offensive” leaflet being handed out during a church-led demonstration held after a minister drew parallels between homosexuality and paedophilia during a live radio debate. The Reverend James Gracie, of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), said homosexuality was a sin and warned a same-sex marriage law would be “a direct attack on the Christian faith and the Bible”, on Call Kaye, on BBC Radio Scotland. Asked if it should be allowed on grounds of equality, he answered, “The difficulty with that argument is that people are not treated equally. If the homosexuals, and these people, want to be treated equally, then what about paedophiles? What about polygamy?” Later, on the show, he said being gay was “a lifestyle choice." When fellow guest, Tom French, of the Equality Network, disagreed, Gracie replied, “Even if you were to take that view, there are people who steal; people have tendencies for all sorts of things.” His comments provoked fury from groups supporting proposals to legalize same sex marriage in the country. Gracie, a minister in Arthur Street, Edinburgh, later stood by his on-air comments, although he did say he believed he was not allowed to finish his points, which may have left them open to misinterpretation. “I don’t think I need to apologise or clarify,” he said. “But I have my view the same as a homosexual would have his view. I’m not homophobic. If I was to go down the street and saw a man say to a homosexual ‘you are a queer’, I would go into court and be a witness for him. If I’ve unnecessarily offended someone then I do apologize, but I’m not going to back off from holding my views.” After the show, he took part in a demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament, where anti-same sex marriage campaigners were advised by police to withdraw a leaflet said to be offensive. “We were trying to be law abiding,” he said. “There was one leaflet that police got hold of. We withdrew it immediately. I never saw it. It was not one of the ones we brought, it was another Christian.” French later led criticisms of the minister’s comments. “It is disappointing that the opponents of equal marriage are comparing loving same sex couples to paedophiles, polygamists and thieves in an increasingly desperate effort to persuade the Scottish Government to ditch their proposals to legalise same sex marriage,” he said. Grant Costello, chairman of the Scottish Youth Parliament, added, “We are extremely concerned that in our modern Scotland, homophobic abuse and smears on national radio can be allowed to take place.” Nathan Sparling, NUS Scotland’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender officer, said, “These kinds of comments, and similar ones aimed at the young people who were peacefully and positively demonstrating their support for marriage equality at the parliament, are truly despicable. A formal complaint was raised with Lothian & Borders police about the incident at Holyrood.”

In Ohio, The Sylvania Northview student newspaper caused a stir this week with an article about student views on homosexuality, promoting strong reactions and an administrative review of the paper's operations. According to The Toledo Blade, the article, titled A Deeper Look into Homosexuality, appeared in the opinion section of Tuesday's edition of The Student Prints, Northview's student-run, staff-monitored newspaper. The article consisted of five columns by students about their views on homosexuality, and a poll on how comfortable students would feel if their best friend said he or she were gay. Some of the students' views caused both outcries and shows of support by current and former students, in person and on Facebook, where status after status referenced the article. The newspaper's article contained a variety of views; some expressed their views with strong language. "Seeing gays or lesbians together is just disgusting to me," one student wrote in the newspaper. "I cannot describe how weird it would be to be gay." An anonymous columnist describes admitting being gay, and asks other students not to make school horrible for those who are gay. Another expresses the student's religious belief that homosexuality is a sin, and that being homosexual is wrong. Reactions have been steady since the paper's publication. Principal Steve Swaggerty said parents have called or emailed expressing concern that the views expressed could make students feel uncomfortable or could promote bullying of homosexual students. On Facebook, a debate raged about whether the article was offensive or simply provocative journalism. Others decried the constant cyber statements. "A closed mind isn't going to get you anywhere in life," one student wrote. "You cannot always change what you disagree with, but you can accept it with an open mind and move on." Swaggerty said the article upset many students at the school, including those who wrote the columns. He said he thinks the article's intent was to "start a conversation," but that the end result was something that made some students feel unsafe at their own school. Though Swaggerty did not believe any students will be disciplined for the article, he said there will be repercussions. The insert will not be included with the rest of the edition when posted online. Normally, the school takes a hands-off approach to the newspaper, allowing faculty adviser Sarah Huey to screen the content, but that process is now being reviewed. Huey declined comment Wednesday, and student staff said they were told not to comment to the media.

A longtime Houston activist for gay rights and prisoners was arrested at a strip club Thursday, accused of interfering with a police investigation. Ray Hill, 71, was arrested for interfering with the duties of a public servant about 11:00 pm at Treasures, 5647 Westheimer, reports The Houston Chronicle. "Mr. Hill arrived at the location and started interfering with our officers' effort to conduct their investigation," Houston police spokesman Victor Senties said. "He was asked to leave several times and refused, and was arrested." Senties said Hill was not part of the original vice investigation. Hill is a paid lobbyist for the adult bookstore industry in Houston. He recently filed for the Democratic nomination for the 147th Texas House seat against incumbent Garnet Coleman. According to court records, Hill remains in Houston's city jail, in lieu of $500 bail for the Class B misdemeanour. If convicted, Hill faces a maximum of six months in jail.

In Pennsylvania, Susquehanna Township on Thursday night became the first mid-state municipality outside Harrisburg, York, and Lancaster to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. The Patriot-News reports that though most citizens speaking at the commissioners’ meeting praised the ordinance — which calls for equality in housing, employment, and public accommodations —two raised concerns and one commissioner opposed the measure. Commissioner Steven Napper said he knows “all about discrimination, and discrimination is ugly,” but he opposed the ordinance, citing unanswered questions about enforcement and amendments. “With over 2,000 municipalities in 67 [Pennsylvania] counties, what steps are we doing to get this done on a state level?” he said. Instead of passing ordinances, commissioners should educate residents about discrimination and concentrate on tax and development issues, Napper said. Under the ordinance, a nine-member, volunteer township human relations commission will hear complaints and mediate disputes. Complaints covered by state law would be forwarded to the appropriate agency, while other issues could proceed to public hearing and, in the absence of a mediated settlement, to county court. State law bans discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, disability, and other classes, but bills to extend the ban to sexual orientation, gender identity, and genetic information continually stall in the legislature, said Ted Martin, executive director of Equality PA. Equality PA is backing municipal ordinances to fill the void in state law, and Susquehanna Township’s law is the state’s 26th, Martin said. Another four or five mid-state municipalities are considering similar ordinances, Martin said, but he would not name them.