The Student Christian Movement has welcomed moves to promote dialogue and improved relationships between LGBT students and faith groups.
SCM, a national Christian student organisation, was responding to a resolution passed at the National Union of Students (NUS) conference this week.
The resolution recognises that the student movement "can be pivotal in improving the experiences of LGBT students and students with a religion or belief (or both) and the relationships between these groups".
SCM national coordinator Hilary Topp commented: “We need to challenge the stereotype that all people of faith are homophobic and opposed to LGBT equality. This is simply not the case."
She continued: "SCM has been speaking out on issues of equality in the church and society for many years, and we have people of many different sexual orientations amongst our membership. Jesus went out of his way to welcome people excluded by society and as Christians we are called to do the same.”
Student and SCM member Holly McGuigan added: “As a gay Christian I welcome this statement from the NUS. A willingness to engage on this issue is a positive step and one that has the potential to make a real difference. At the same time it is important to recognise that there has been a lot of pain caused to LGBT people by faith groups.”
She said: “I have always felt welcomed in the Student Christian Movement which aims to provide a safe space for people to question and discuss the tensions between faith and sexuality."
[Ekk/3]
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