Civitas Blog

Being devout Christians of a traditional outlook regarding questions about sexual morality, an elderly couple from Wyre, Lancashire, were appalled last year upon discovering that their local council had decided to display in its offices literature that promoted a homosexual lifestyle. When they phoned the council to ask if they might display alongside the offending literature countervailing material that reflected their own outlook on the subject, they were informed that they couldn’t because it might give offence to homosexuals. They replied that they found the literature being displayed by the council offensive whereupon a complaint against them was lodged with the local police who subjected them to extensive interrogation to establish whether they had committed any criminal offence in having expressed their disapproval of homosexuality.

Although eventually no charges were proffered, the couple decided to take legal action against the council and constabulary for infringing their freedom of expression, an action that was due to be heard in the High Court next month.

On Christmas Eve, it was reported that the couple has agreed to drop their action after receiving an apology from the local constabulary and council and an offer to pay their legal costs plus £10,000 to a charity of their choice.

Homosexuals clearly deserve protection from violence and abuse, but not immunity from all criticism from those who consider their lifestyle to be a sin or otherwise immoral.