Gay Today: World

Scottish Catholics
& Millionaire Promote Bias

Compiled By GayToday

Edinburgh, Scotland-- Cardinal Thomas Winning, the leader of Scotland's Roman Catholic Church, reiterated his anti-gay biases this week, saying he would not stand it if the nation's public schools begin describing homosexuality, in sex education classes, as something "wholesome and healthy." The Cardinal is receiving 'moral' backing by a well-heeled church-going millionaire.

Cardinal Thomas Winning

Preparations announced earlier by members of the elected Scottish Executive to scrap anti-gay legislation have been met by opposition from homophobe Brian Souter, who has reportedly pledged up to a million pounds to stop the repeal of Section 28, the biased statute.

Mr. Souter's intrusion into the debate is raising questions about Big Money's influence on Scotland's democratic processes. Funds from his friends and associates are being gathered with the intention to fund a major anti-gay campaign that could last anywhere from six months to a year.

British media, which uses the anti-gay law's purposely alarming wording, continues to refer to Section 28 as legislation that bans the "promotion of homosexuality in schools." The unproved inference behind this wording is that same-sex love and affection is readily communicable.

The Scottish Executive's ministers say they have no intention of backing down on Repealing Section 28, however, while repeal efforts initiated by the Blair government, are already underway in England.

Communities Minister Wendy Alexander, who announced the forthcoming repeal says she will work toward a "middle way" ensuring that children will still be protected once Section 28 is lifted.

First Minister Donald Dewar noted that "there will always be a right for parents to withdraw their children from sex education classes."

Related Stories from the GayToday Archive:
Falwell's Fears & Hates

Scotland Scraps Anti-Gay Laws from Thatcher Era

Scottish Emergency: Section 28 Repeal Faces Defeat

Related Sites:
Scots Gay Magazine

GayToday does not endorse related sites.

Thus far, Cardinal Winning's anti-gay crusading has not, apparently, moved most Scots who are largely Presbyterians wary of the Vatican. The Cardinal complained: "What pains me about this whole situation is that the silent majority are so silent that the silence is deafening."