Lynne Featherstone brands Church's opposition to gay marriage as 'Dark Age' homophobia

The equalities minister Lynne Featherstone, a Liberal Democrat MP, has branded the Churches’ opposition to gay marriage as ‘dark age’ homophobia.

This weekend Catholics across the UK were told it was there “duty” to oppose plans to legalise same-sex marriages. A letter outlining opposition to gay marriage was written by the leaders of the Catholic Church in the UK and was read out to congregations across the country practically ordering them to oppose equal rights for gay couples.

Cardinal O’Brien, leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, called the plans a “grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right” and compared legalising gay marriage to legalising slavery in an article he wrote for the Sunday Telegraph last weekend. Other religious leaders have also voiced their disapproval of the plans in outbursts which have been widely criticised.

Lynne Featherstone , the coalition’s Equalities Minister, has spoken to the Sunday Times, about the campaign being waged by opponents of gay marriage. Featherstone told the Sunday broadsheet ‘This is about love and commitment and things that are good for society and families; it is a matter of celebrating love and commitment. I have heard homophobic language used in connection with this very loving and progressive step.” Featherstone said such homophobic language ‘belongs in the Dark Ages‘

Featherstone has previously spoken on the issue of gay marriage and responded to attacks on the government’s proposals. The coalition is to hold a public consultation on introducing civil gay marriages – not religious ones but some religions are still opposed to the idea even though they would not have to hold gay marriage ceremonies.

The Times meanwhile came out in support of gay marriage earlier this week while the Daily Telegraph is opposed to it feeling it would “undermine” the “traditional” family. ATV Today’s LGBT section, The Gay Spot, (formally) came out in support of gay marriage yesterday in an article. {jcomments off}

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