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The document, Some Issues in Human Sexuality,[1] recently debated in the General Synod, raises important questions about the significance of bisexuality, not least for our understanding of sexual orientation.[2] It claims, for instance, that Ancient Greek and Roman cultures did not have sexual orientation terminology in their language (p219). They...
In the first instance your thoughts may be that this chap, who is otherwise well and rarely attends the surgery, is unlikely to have any physical and psychological problems. However, even if your gut feeling is that this is a purely spiritual problem, it is wise to explore wider issues...
Some years ago a very gifted young man, call him James, took a year out from his studies to work with me as a pastoral assistant in the local church where I was vicar. The experience was a great success and modelled a pattern of working that I have repeated...
Adoption is not a modern idea. Roman Civil law legislated adoption in order to provide a male heir for the estate. This sentiment is reflected in the adoption laws of various European and Latin American countries.[1] In contrast, British law is based on Judeo-Christian beliefs. Here adoption has always been...
Tasteful. Sensitive. Beautiful. That's what the creators of the recent gay advertising campaign say about their posters. On one level I'm inclined to agree with them. The image accompanying the slogan 'Thank God for men', could easily be of two brothers embracing each other. I certainly don't find it offensive...
In recent years homosexuality has rocketed up the political, medical and social agenda. On 30 November 2000 the Government invoked the Parliament Act to overrule the House of Lords and pass the ‘Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill’, legislation that will lower the age at which males and females can consent to...
In perhaps the most moving scene in the film Philadelphia, Tom Hanks as Andrew Becket, a lawyer wrongfully dismissed from his job because he has AIDS, is in his flat discussing his case with his defence counsel, Joe. An opera is quietly playing in the background. Becket, suddenly caught up...
A series of recent events seems to suggest that public opinion in the Western world is moving inexorably in favour of tolerance of homosexuality. In France in October, the National Assembly and Senate approved partnership contracts giving a new legal status to cohabiting non-married couples - heterosexual or homosexual. Non-sexual...
Trevor Stammers argues both that 'the health risks of homosexual practice are higher than heterosexual practice' and that 'homosexuality and paedophilia are linked'. He reminds us that most HIV in the UK is acquired through gay sex, and that gay people are over-represented among paedophiles. However, worldwide most HIV is...
Anglican bishops hit the headlines in August with a controversial ruling on the church's attitude to homosexuality. After much debate, liberal (mainly Western) bishops, were defeated by a huge majority at the ten-yearly Lambeth conference. Whilst having no legislative authority, its rulings are important for the world's 70 million Anglicans...
