This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6243323.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Faith rally over gay rights bill Faith rally over gay rights bill
(about 4 hours later)
Religious groups are to protest outside Parliament in an attempt to halt legislation banning discrimination against lesbians and gay men. Religious groups are to stage a protest calling for a halt to laws banning discrimination against gay people in the provision of goods and services.
Organisers say the Sexual Orientation Regulations would limit their right to live according to religious beliefs.Organisers say the Sexual Orientation Regulations would limit their right to live according to religious beliefs.
In the House of Lords, peers are to debate a motion calling for the regulations, already in force in Northern Ireland, to be annulled. The Parliament rally will come as Lords debate whether to annul the regulations - already in force in Northern Ireland - in England and Wales.
Outside, Christians, Jews and Muslims will gather for a torch-lit protest. But gay rights group OutRage! accused religious leaders of "scaremongering".
The rally is to be held in Old Palace Yard opposite the St Stephen's entrance to the House of Lords, Westminster from 1730 GMT to 2000 GMT. It is due to start when the Lords debate the motion. The torch-lit rally, due to be attended by Christians, Jews and Muslims, is to be held in Old Palace Yard, opposite the St Stephen's entrance to the House of Lords, from 1730 GMT to 2000 GMT.
It is due to start when the Lords debate the motion.
Senior lawyers have expressed the view that unless these regulations are amended, they will outlaw discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, only to replace it with discrimination on the grounds of religion Rally organiser Ade OmoobaSenior lawyers have expressed the view that unless these regulations are amended, they will outlaw discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, only to replace it with discrimination on the grounds of religion Rally organiser Ade Omooba
Several thousand people are expected to take part. Organisers believe several thousand people could take part.
The legislation would ban discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services on the basis of sexuality. The legislation being debated would ban discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services on the basis of sexuality.
Hotels could be prosecuted for refusing to provide rooms for gay couples and parishes obliged to rent out halls for gay wedding receptions.Hotels could be prosecuted for refusing to provide rooms for gay couples and parishes obliged to rent out halls for gay wedding receptions.
Equally, gay bars would not be able to ban straight couples.Equally, gay bars would not be able to ban straight couples.
Thomas Cordrey, barrister and public policy analyst with the Lawyers' Christian Fellowship, said: "The debate in the Lords is a signal to the government of the need to acknowledge these regulations do not currently strike the correct balance between two competing rights.Thomas Cordrey, barrister and public policy analyst with the Lawyers' Christian Fellowship, said: "The debate in the Lords is a signal to the government of the need to acknowledge these regulations do not currently strike the correct balance between two competing rights.
"Christians have no desire to discriminate unjustly on the grounds of sexual orientation, but they cannot and must not be forced to actively condone and promote sexual practices which the Bible teaches are wrong."Christians have no desire to discriminate unjustly on the grounds of sexual orientation, but they cannot and must not be forced to actively condone and promote sexual practices which the Bible teaches are wrong.
All it does is extend to lesbian and gay people the same protection against discrimination as is already existing to protect women, black people and Christians, Jews, Muslims and other people of faith Peter Tatchell, OutRage!All it does is extend to lesbian and gay people the same protection against discrimination as is already existing to protect women, black people and Christians, Jews, Muslims and other people of faith Peter Tatchell, OutRage!
"It is a fundamental matter of freedom of conscience," Mr Cordrey said. "It is a fundamental matter of freedom of conscience."
Rally organiser Ade Omooba said: "Senior lawyers have expressed the view that unless these regulations are amended, they will outlaw discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, only to replace it with discrimination on the grounds of religion."Rally organiser Ade Omooba said: "Senior lawyers have expressed the view that unless these regulations are amended, they will outlaw discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, only to replace it with discrimination on the grounds of religion."
Under the new regulations, protestors say the right to religious belief could be discriminated against in the following examples: Under the new regulations, protesters say the right to religious belief could be discriminated against in the following examples:
  • A Christian, Jewish or Muslim printer could be legally forced to print a flyer for a gay night club or gay pride march and would be denied the right to refuse carry out the work as a matter of religious conscience.
  • A Christian, Jewish or Muslim printer could be legally forced to print a flyer for a gay night club or gay pride march and would be denied the right to refuse carry out the work as a matter of religious conscience.
  • A Christian, Jewish or Muslim teacher could be breaking the law if they seek to promote heterosexual marriage instead of homosexual civil partnership - even if homosexuality is at odds with the teacher's faith
  • A Christian, Jewish or Muslim teacher could be breaking the law if they seek to promote heterosexual marriage instead of homosexual civil partnership - even if homosexuality is at odds with the teacher's faith
  • A Christian, Jewish or Muslim IT consultant could be forced to build a website promoting gay rights.
  • A Christian, Jewish or Muslim IT consultant could be forced to build a website promoting gay rights.
    • But gay rights group OutRage! accused religious leaders of "scaremongering, lies and hypocrisy". Peter Tatchell, spokesman for gay rights group OutRage!, told BBC News: "These regulations do not legalise, or illegalise, people's beliefs.
    Peter Tatchell told BBC News "These regulations do not legalise, or illegalise, people's beliefs.
    "They do not impinge on what people believe, on opinions they express, on attitudes or values."They do not impinge on what people believe, on opinions they express, on attitudes or values.
    "People are still free to hold their beliefs, to live their lives according to their own morality and... their own religious beliefs. The law proposed does not change that one iota."People are still free to hold their beliefs, to live their lives according to their own morality and... their own religious beliefs. The law proposed does not change that one iota.
    "All it does is extend to lesbian and gay people the same protection against discrimination as is already existing to protect women, black people and Christians, Jews, Muslims and other people of faith.""All it does is extend to lesbian and gay people the same protection against discrimination as is already existing to protect women, black people and Christians, Jews, Muslims and other people of faith."