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Hatemonger Scott Lively invited to debate Gay Rights at Prestigious Oxford Union

Melanie Nathan

By Melanie Nathan, January 11, 2013.

UPDATED: 1/18/2013  10.30 am PST.  Scott Lively GAY Hatemonger @OxfordUnion  was due to speak last night in a debate re ‘gay rights’, but an alleged error saw him given the date of the Israel debate on 31st January instead.    As Mr Lively had already arranged his travel around that date, the President-Elect of the Union has  offered to schedule an additional event for him to speak on Friday 1st February.

We hope members of the UK LGBTI community make their voices heard.
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By Melanie Nathan, January 11, 2013.

The Oxford Union, in the United Kingdom, which touts itself as is the “world’s most prestigious debating society, with an unparalleled reputation for bringing international guests and speakers to Oxford,” has invited known gay-hatemonger Scott Lively, director and founder of the Abiding Truth Ministries, classified by SPLC, as a hate group, as a guest to debate “Gay Rights, The House would be glad to have gay parents,” this month.

Indeed the Oxford Union may qualify for its claim, ‘prestigious,’ however any dignity it thought it may have afforded itself will go down the tubes the moment it actually opens the doors and provides a stage to Scott Lively.

Perhaps Maria Rioumine, does not realize that Scott Lively is to the world’s LGBTI community what Hitler was to Jews in the early stages of the Nazi’s anti-Jewish scapegoating and rhetoric. Lively has been sued by Uganda’s LGBT community in Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) vs, Scott Lively, for conspiracy to persecute gays under The Alien Tort Act, in the U.S.A.

However it is not only this charge, based on “crimes against humanity,” that raises the alarm against Oxford Union’s decision to invite this man, but also the credibility of the guest, by virtue of his own suspect writing, the hate speech and lies which stand alone as undesirable and reprehensible.

It is unfathomable that of all the people able to participate in such a debate, the Oxford Union would allow such an offensive guest on its role of esteemed. Does Oxford Union know that it has invited the author of The Pink Swastika, the re-write of history blaming the holocaust on the Gays, with a Nazi designed website to match? Not to mention The redeeming Rainbow and a Truth Abiding Ministries website that refers to homosexuality as a “global threat.” 

(see Screen shot on the left taken from Truth Abiding Ministries Website)

That this is their choice to debate the issue of gay rights is an absolute travesty. Lively has online recorded Videos pushing for the persecution and is known to have actively advocated for The Kill the Gays in Uganda. All he can offer such debate is a continuation of lies. If he had fact to offer his opposition may be a worthy concomitant for such debate.

The essence of his argument, which is no secret, as referenced in his books and videos, are nothing but lies.  I do not profess to be an expert on UK libel and hate speech laws, however given that such are stringent and not nearly as relaxed as in the USA, I have no doubt that Lively is going to find himself in some hot water.  The question is what will Oxford Union’s liability be knowing that they have invited a man whose only debate criteria are proven lies and known to be hate speech.

Shame on You Oxford Union for even giving this known liar a voice on your hallowed grounds! Not to mention the other participants who in accepting the invitation seem comfortable giving the likes of Lively a voice, at all!

Scott Lovely has based his hate ministry in Springfield MA, and so I called GetEQUAL Massachusetts for comment. In the words of Cathy Kristofferson, State lead for GetEQUAL MA:

  “Having just sat in the Springfield Federal Court Monday morning listening to arguments in the Crimes Against Humanity lawsuit filed against Scott Lively for the persecution he has wrought on the LGBTI community in Uganda, and hearing the judge present the situation of Lively’s actions and propaganda possibly causing similar harm as those of Goebbels in WWII, it is highly offensive to hear that a place as prestigious as Oxford Union would even consider inviting Scott Lively to participate.”

While Scott Lively continues to play the victim card, blaming gay rights activists for impinging on his freedom of speech, he does not seem to grasp that he has every right to free speech and to practice his religion in peace. However  to lie while doing it is immoral and unacceptable.  No organization, be it media or other, should provide a stage for known lies.

By the way what an insult to Tony Kushner’s esteemed work “Angels in America” which is being shown as part of the program.

This Article has been sent to Ms. Rioumine for comment.

Here is the Program as advertised on Oxford Union’s website:

Gay Rights Debate

  • Event name: Gay Rights Debate
  • Start date: 17/01/2013 20:30
  • Duration: N/A

Description

This House Would be Glad to Have Gay Parents

Speakers in Proposition:

  • Richard Fairbrass – Gay rights activist and lead vocalist for ‘Right Said Fred’
  • Benjamin Cohen – Technology correspondent for Channel 4 News, and founder of website Pink News
  • Phyll Opoku-Gyimah – Active campaigner for black LGBT communities and co-founder of Black Pride UK

Speakers in Opposition:

  • Winston McKenzie – Spokesman for UK Independence Party; former amateur boxing champion
  • Scott Lively – US Attorney, author & campaigner
  • Peter D Williams – Spokesperson for Catholic Voices & member of pro-life campaign group Right to Life

This debate will be preceded by a performance of Tony Kushner’s ‘Angels in America‘

UPDATE 1/18/2013 : IT SEEMS THAT SCOTT LIVELY WAS A NO SHOW under excuse of Administrative mistake and will apparently debate a different session in a fortnight.  At the same time sources have informed us that Lively may not be allowed to enter the UK.  See  https://oblogdeeoblogda.me/2013/01/17/oxford-union-students-wants-gay-parents-in-huge-debate-win/

1/18/2013  10.30 am PST. Funny Scott Lively GAY Hatemonger @OxfordUnion  was due to speak last night in a debate re ‘gay rights’, but an alleged error saw him given the date of the Israel debate on 31st January instead.    As Mr Lively had already arranged his travel around that date, the President-Elect of the Union has  offered to schedule an additional event for him to speak on Friday 1st February.  Hope the UK people give him the welcome he deserves

By Melanie Nathan, nathan@privatecourts.com
Tweet: @melanienathan1

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