Public debate on gay marriage legislation planned for Bath
A public debate on gay marriage is to be held in Bath.
City MP Don Foster - who supports the legislation currently passing through Parliament - has organised the meeting to allow local people to have their say ahead of its final stages.
The event takes place at the Percy Community Centre in New King Street on Tuesday February 19, at 7pm, with doors opening at 6.30pm.
Mr Foster will be speaking in favour of the Same Sex Marriage Bill, which passed its second reading last week, and will be supported by the Rev Kieren Bourne of the Living Springs Metropolitan Church.
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Stewart Keiller, leader of Bath City Church, and Bath Abbey rector the Rev Edward Mason will put forward the case for MPs voting against the Bill.
The meeting will be chaired by Bath Chronicle editor Lynne Fernquest, with questions taken from the audience and put to the panellists.
Mr Foster said: “Over the past few months I have been contacted by hundreds of Bath residents who have articulated arguments both for and against the proposals in the Same Sex Marriage Bill.
“There are understandably strong feelings on both sides of this important issue. This event will give the people of Bath the opportunity to pose questions ahead of the next stages of the Bill and the final House of Commons vote.”
Mr Mason has stressed that, while he has concerns about the Bill, he strongly supports civil partnerships and the rights of the gay and lesbian community.
Mr Keiller said: “The issue for me is that this is not really about fairness or equality. Marriage as defined by the Bible has been the basic building block of British society for about a couple of thousand years and we are literally changing the definition of this word in a rather rushed piece of legislation. It’s not about being anti-gay, most Christians I mix with are not at all anti-gay, but marriage has a clear definition, or did at least.”
Capacity at the venue is limited to 120, and people are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.
10 Comments
by mhelenmary
Tuesday, February 19 2013, 11:53PM
“I went tonight, not many others did. What else can you say, it is a forgone conclusion.
We have so many other problems, what else is there to say?”
by CyrilCringe
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 11:23AM
“@rogerh3. The Gay Marriage bandwagon has started rolling and who would have the political strength to stop it? IMHO the deal is struck, any consultations now are merely window dressing and will not dissuade the advocates for change from their chosen path, no matter what public opinion at these meetings reveal.
The GAY lobby has become more powerful over recent years. The question now is what next? Attempts to lower the age of consent for gay sex was defeated but I suspect there are those in the gay community who see this as an issue that needs challenging in the future, and before anyone accuses me of it; no I am not suggesting "those in the gay community" are paedophiles.”
by CyrilCringe
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 11:12AM
“@PWBath. Because someone has an opposite opinion on the issue of Gay Marriage to it's supporters it isn't homophobia, no more than concern over increasing immigration from Eastern Europe is racism persé. Labelling your critics in this way is rather narrow minded in it's own right. Everyone has the right to an opinion even those that don't necessarily see the world in the same way as you do.”
by PWBath
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 4:34AM
“'Book early to avoid disappointment', rev Mason is surely the one to be disappointed when he realises the world had moved on. There's nothing worse than homophobia masquerading as friendship and this is what Thai extremely unchristian man is doing. I don't mean to shock, but F you Rev Mason, we will have equality, and your stupid debates will be meaningless. Just call me GayRosa Parks”
by X_Rock_Chick
Monday, February 11 2013, 4:57PM
“The venue is too small for this debate which will attract many more than 120.”
by jezer
Monday, February 11 2013, 4:34PM
“Well, I'm sure you are right Malcolm, but this MP seems totally oblivious to the views of his constituents. I will not comment on his moral behaviour, but sufficient to say I was always a supporter of his party. He has now totally destroyed this by his actions.”
by mcupis
Monday, February 11 2013, 3:38PM
“I'm sure he does Jezer. You have a Conservative MP because more people voted Conservative in the last election than for the candidate of any other party.”
by jezer
Monday, February 11 2013, 3:09PM
“Bath residents are fortunate in having an MP who is in favour of this legislation. Living over the border in another constituency, our MP voted against, citing comments from his constituents against the move. It is a pity he doesn't listen to us on other matters.”
by rogerh3
Monday, February 11 2013, 2:58PM
“Only the second reading. It's barely started.”
by mcupis
Monday, February 11 2013, 12:52PM
“Seems somewhat pointless to have a public debate after the vote has been passed.”