homophobia

A Christian student group at a Toronto university is in damage control after word of an anti-gay event they had planned this week spread across campus.

Earlier this week, Campus for Christ advertised on their website and e-mail list that a “Prayer for the Homosexual Community at York” would take place this Thursday. When LGBT students became aware of this event, they called for a counter-protest on campus at the same time.

In response, the Christian group cancelled their event and issued this clarification over e-mail:

[quote]The original purpose behind the event was to address the negative relationship that currently exists on a wide scale between the Christian and Homosexual communities. Our hopes in this were, and continue to be, to mend this strained relationship and to seek opportunities for encouraging genuine friendship and open communication.[/quote]

You’d almost believe their “clarification” if it weren’t for the magic of a browser cache, which reveals the actual intentions of their initial event callout quite plainly:

[quote]Join us in prayer as we pray for lives to be changed on the York University campus! One aspect of that change will be dedicated towards the homosexuality community. Let us pray in love for those who seek freedom from this bondage that they may find Jesus and turn away from temptation. Let us earnestly, get on our knees and fight a battle in prayer for their victory.[/quote]

Even though the Campus for Christ event has been cancelled, queer students are still planning an anti-homophobia action. Check out the Facebook event here.

And, check out this rabble radio podcast which features Ugandan LGBT activists raising awareness on an anti-homosexuality bill that is now on its way to becoming law.