Re: LGBT+ LIBERAL DEMOCRATS RESPONSE TO DR JOHN SENTAMU'S VIEWS

LGBT+ Liberal Democrats are disappointed to see the second-highest clergyman in the Church of England, the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu, offering a disturbing, extreme and poisoned view on equal marriage.

Both the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people and the democratic will of the British people (with 61% saying in a recent Populus poll that they want same-sex couples to be able to marry) run counter to Dr Sentamu's stated views.

Chair LGBT+ Liberal Democrats Adrian Trett, commented, "The prejudiced and outdated views of the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu need to be publicly challenged by all who believe in marriage equality. Therefore I encourage everyone to contribute positively to the upcoming consultation taking place in March, thanks to the continuing extraordinary work of the Liberal Democrat Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone.

"These comments from the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, only highlight why reform of the House of Lords is essential. Such intolerance and homophobia have no place in our government. And though he seems to have misunderstood this, the government's proposal for equal civil marriage does not affect churches and other places of worship."

LGBT+ Liberal Democrats will continue to work very hard with the coalition government to ensure that these basic human rights will be enshrined for all the citizens of the United Kingdom during this parliament.