From: Peter Tatchell

Subject: March against religious attacks on human rights

*March against religious attacks on human rights*

*Defend religious freedom, oppose religious privilege*

Saturday 15 September 2012
Assemble: 13:30 Storeys Gate
March: 14:00-15:00
Rally: 15:00-17:00 Surrey Street (Temple Place)

Join the march and rally against religious attacks on human rights. All
across Europe, religious leaders are orchestrating campaigns against
equality for women and LGBT people, said Peter Tatchell, Director of the
human rights organisation, the Peter Tatchell Foundation.

Most UK religious leaders oppose same-sex marriage. They support legal
discrimination against same-sex couples. Some faith organisations ban women
clergy and bishops. Others oppose divorce, contraception, abortion, donor
insemination, embryo research and adoption by same-sex couples. Several
have been involved in child sex abuse and the cover-up of these crimes
against children.

Cardinal OBrien in Scotland has stirred homophobic prejudice and
intolerance by comparing gay marriage to slavery and by denouncing marriage
equality as grotesque and as an aberration that will lead to society
degenerating into immorality.

Saturdays protest demands an end to religious privilege and to religious
exemption from the equality laws. We support women’s rights, children’s
rights, LGBT rights & all human rights.

While we defend the human rights of all believers and non-believers, it
cannot be right that faith organisations have special rights and privileges
in law.

It is not compatible with democracy for the Church of England to be the
official state religion and for 26 of its bishops to sit automatically in
the House of Lords, with the ability to influence legislation. This is an
insult to people of other faiths and to those with no faith at all, he
said.

*The secular Europe campaign opposes:*

Privileged status of churches under Article 17 of the Treaty on the
Functioning of the European Union
Official state religions and established churches
The special status of the Vatican at the United Nations and its economic
and political privileges across Europe
State-funded religious schools

*The secular Europe campaign supports:*

Freedom of religion, freedom of conscience and freedom of speech
Womens equality and reproductive rights
Equal rights for LGBT people in all the European Union
A secular Europe democratic, peaceful, open and just, with no privilege
for religious organisations
One law for all, no religious exemptions from the law
State neutrality in matters of religion and belief

*CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:*

Robin Ince, Comedian and BHA Distinguished Supporter
Chris French, Skeptic and Professor of Psychology, Goldsmiths University
Warren Ellis, Writer and BHA Distinguished Supporter
Peter Tatchell, Human Rights Campaigner
Joan Smith, Journalist
Mejindarpal Kaur, Legal Director, United Sikhs
Richard Norman, Philosopher
Pavan Dhaliwal, Head of Public Affairs, British Humanist Association
Terry Sanderson, President, National Secular Society
Antony Lempert, Secular Medical Forum Chair
Adam Knowles, Gay And Lesbian Humanist Association
Nahla Mahmood, Council of ex-Muslims of Britain and One law for All
Sue Cox, Survivors Voice Europe
Maurizio Turco MP, Italian Radicals

*For further information:*

Peter Tatchell

www.petertatchellfoundation.org