Saturday, November 03, 2012

Ulster-born cleric named ‘bigot of the year’ by gay rights group

The Northern Ireland-born leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland has been named Bigot of the Year by a gay rights charity. 

Cardinal Keith O'Brien, who grew up in Ballycastle, Co Antrim, was given the title at the annual Stonewall awards, in London last night.

He topped the shortlist of five because of his comments attacking same-sex relationships and describing them as “harmful to the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing” before comparing them to slavery.

Ulster peer Lord Ken Maginnis had been in the running for the award after making a number of controversial comments, including describing homosexuality as “a rung on the ladder” to bestiality.

Earlier this year, the former Fermanagh South Tyrone MP quit the UUP just a few months after party leader Mike Nesbitt stripped him of the party whip at Westminster for describing homosexuality as “unnatural and deviant”.

Awards sponsors Barclays and Coutts banks have said they will axe funding if the bigot category is not dropped next year. 

But Stonewall's chief executive, Ben Summerskill, says it has no intention of dropping it.

Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson won Politician of the Year but was booed by guests at the Victoria & Albert Museum for also criticising the bigot award.

Ms Davidson, a lesbian, said it was important for young people to see that politics, gender or sexuality shouldn’t prevent success.

She added: “But where I disagree with Stonewall in these awards is the need to call people names like ‘bigot'. It is simply wrong. The case for equality is far better made by demonstrating the sort of generosity, tolerance and love we would wish to see more of in this world.” 
 
Factfile

The other 2012 Stonewall Awards
  • Hero of the Year: Rev Giles Fraser
  • Broadcast of the Year: Britain’s Got Talent (ITV1)
  • Entertainer of the Year: Sue Perkins
  • Journalist of the Year: Owen Jones and Hugo Rifkind
  • Politician of the Year: Ruth Davidson MSP
  • Publication of the Year: Gay Star News
  • Sports Award of the Year: Rugby Football League
  • Writer of the Year: Jeanette Winterson