Religious groups are the masters of hate.

Churches Demand Fiji Abolish Gay Protections
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

October 2, 2006 - 9:00 pm ET


(Suva) Leaders of 20 denominations in Fiji are demanding the repeal of constitutional protections for gays and lesbians in the South Pacific islands

Fiji's constitution provides civil rights in housing and some other areas but a law, still on the books from colonial days, makes gay sex illegal, punishable by a lengthy prison sentence.

Now church leaders say it is time to amend the constitution to allow for the public shunning of gays and to discourage foreign gays from coming to the pristine islands.

The Assembly of Christian Churches in a letter to Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase said that providing employment and housing rights to gays encourages "immoral" sexual behavior.

Last year Fiji's High Court overturned the convictions of two gay men, ruling that the South Pacific island's sodomy law was unconstitutional. (story)

The court released Thomas McCoskar, a 55-year-old Australian, and Dhirendra Nadan, a 23-year-old native man, telling McCoskar he was free to leave Fiji and return home.

Despite the court ruling the government has refused to repeal the sodomy law and has continued to lay charges,

The churches say that the only way to force the courts to uphold the law is amend the constitution.

"It is only a matter of time before same sex marriages, ordination of gay person as church ministers and other unacceptable practices will be enforced here because of the rights protected (under the Constitution)," the letter to Qarase said.

"The Government is duty bound to remove this abomination from our laws. The consequences of not removing such evil laws can only be devastating to Fiji as a nation."

Qarase said he would be prepared to meet with the church leaders.

Fiji is a popular destination for gay Australians and New Zealanders. Recently a company said it was preparing to build a gay resort in Fiji but has not provided details of the venture.

©365Gay.com 2006