The gay and lesbian network of the Uniting Church today affirmed its commitment to working within the due processes of the Uniting Church and affirming their conviction that the Uniting Church can be a body that receives the gifts of lesbian and gay people.

This affirmation comes in the wake of increasing hostility and a campaign designed to discredit the network from the Rev. Dr Gordon Moyes. The effect of Dr Moyes' forthright rhetoric in criticising and naming individuals as well as his tendency to blame the so-called "gay and lesbian lobby" with all the ills of the Uniting Church is making a contribution to a new environment of fear for gay and lesbian people.

Simon Moglia and the Rev. Coralie Ling, coordinators of the Network, have urged people who disagree with Gordon Moyes not to respond in kind and to avoid words of malice but nevertheless to express their convictions by letter or in debate and to work for justice and integrity within the Uniting Church.

Simon Moglia said, "The Uniting Network will continue to contribute to the life of the church even in the face of this tide of hatred and misunderstanding and we will look for every opportunity for face-to-face dialogue and respect."

He said, "We know what it is to suffer for our faith, but we believe in the ultimate goodness of the Christian gospel and that the church is on slow but sure road to accepting God-given diversity -- we are merely witnessing the death throes of an outdated and moribund view of human identity and sexuality."

A media release from the Uniting Network, September 11, 1997

For further details on support groups in every state and territory in Australia contact the Secretary of the Uniting Network by email at sec_un@hotmail.com

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