The Church of England and LGBT topics:
Beliefs & developments: 1991 to 2000

Richard Kirker, general secretary of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, said "It's game, set and match to us. I didn't predict and wouldn't have predicted that synod would vote as it did." The Movement had released results of a survey which found that 19 serving or retired bishops had knowingly ordained practicing homosexuals. ₁

1998: At the next Lambeth Conference, a request will be made to set up an international commission of inquiry into human sexuality. Richard Kirker commented:

"We floated the idea of an international commission two years ago. It has the seeds of being helpful, but it will need among its members self-affirming lesbians and gays, not homosexuals who play the establishment's game by denying their identity."

	Lesbian gay & bisexual social groups and events;
	Lesbian gay & bisexual helplines;
	Counseling services for lesbian gay & bisexual people; and
	Gay-positive books in libraries, and artistic and dramatic presentations.

The subsequent government considering scrapping  the regulation entirely. Church of England and Roman Catholic officials joined with conservative legislators in an effort to retain the act intact.

In early 2000, the two churches involved said nothing had been finalized, but a reputable London newspaper reported that a deal had been struck.

On MAR-3, The Daily Telegraph said that a compromise had been reached between the government, the Anglican Church, and the Roman Catholic church. Section 28 would be deleted; new legislation would require teachers to promote heterosexual marriage. Teachers would also be forbidden to engage in "inappropriate teaching." However this section of the law would not mention homosexuality.

Baroness Young, a senior Conservative Party member of the upper House of Lords, wanted to retain Section 28. She said that the apparent compromise "Requiring local authorities to promote marriage will not prevent them from promoting homosexuality as well." In 2000-JAN, Archbishop George Carey, condemned prejudice based on sexual orientation. But he also said: "I also resist placing homosexual relationships on an equal footing with marriage as the proper context for sexual intimacy." Cardinal Winning of the Catholic Church in Scotland is also distressed at a possible compromise, warning that:

"If we are not very, very careful, we will inadvertently promote a lifestyle for our children which will reduce their life expectancy, increase their chances of HIV infection, and expose them to predatory and abusive relationships." ₃

During the week of 2000-MAR-20, the bill to remove Section 28 was rejected by the House of Lords -- an appointed body. According to Newsroom for MAR-28, "Some church leaders are calling for the resignation of an Anglican bishop who helped craft the compromise, accusing him of giving in to the gay lobby."

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