Wonderful to see this LGCM initiative bearing fruit. So few self interest groups have an impact beyond their own constituency.

Richard Kirker has worked tirelessly on this project over the last two years.

Is not this debate now unnecessary? In view of the E.U. declaration that discrimination against LGBT persons is unconstitutional in the eyes of the European Parliament? There is no doubt, though, that many people still have to be convinced - even in the Church.

Interesting Vatican Radio interview with Dr Williams has a brief section on the gay issue: http://www.oecumene.radiovaticana.org/EN1/Articolo.asp?c=336307

Thank you, Spirit, for making available to us, on your comment (above), the Vatican Radio broadcast interview with Archbishop Rowan. It was certainly well worth the effort to plug into and hear the ABC clearly stating his convictions regarding the notion of papal authority, the need for women to be included in the ministry of our Church and for a serious consideration of the current problems of Climate change.

I found the fact that he did not enlarge on the situation of LGBT acceptance in the Church was somewhat disappointing. however, he did indicate that the status quo, as far as Anglicanism is concerned, was due to the fact that Lambeth 1998's statements on the issue of homosexuality was still the guiding line - until such time as the Communion can come to a common mind. He did not fudge the issue, as some might be tempted to think, but rather, he stated the situation as it is seen in the Communion at large. The fact that he did not want to enlarge on his own personal point of view about homosexuality, in that situation, seems quite expedient, if not what many of us would think to be - wholly helpful.

The Trades Union Congress has issued a press release about this, see
http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality/tuc-17273-f0.cfm

It is good to see this from the TUC. However, I cannot forget that the TUC itself only began supporting lesbian and gay rights recently.

They dragged their feet for decades.

"'Teachers, education support staff, employees of faith based charities and other religious organisations, all deserve equal rights at work, regardless of their sexuality.'" T.U.C. statement

Don't knock it, Rev. L., this is another landmark
Statement - on the part of the Trades Union Movement. It is from such organisations that the public at large can be educated in the realities of the need for acceptance of LGBT and other constituencies within the community at large that need such public endorsement of their simple *right to exist'. The more organisations that choose to affirm our cause, the better; surely - in the interests of furthering the inclusiveness of the Gospel of Christ, surely?