Protest organised: find out more

Gay groups and councillors have condemned the appearance of homophobic religious leader Stephen Green on tonight’s edition of Question Time.

Brighton and Hove’s two gay city councillors have today united and issued a joint statement condemning the BBC1  programme for allowing the vehemently anti-gay leader to appear on the programme, which will be broadcast live from Brighton.  

Stephen Green, the National Director of Christian Voice, is well-known for his hostility towards the LGBT community.

“We utterly condemn the BBC for inviting this man to broadcast his bigoted views on prime time TV in the city of Brighton and Hove” said Councillors Paul Elgood and Simon Williams.

“While we recognise the importance of different views on a political debate programme, we believe Stephen Green’s views go way beyond acceptable boundaries of debate.

“We also think it is extremely insensitive of the BBC and the production company to invite Mr Green to Brighton.  Our city has one of the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in the UK.

“At present LGBT people are not protected from incitement to hatred in the way that ethnic minorities are; if they were, Mr Green's views would not be allowed to be broadcast. 

“If he appears this evening we will make a formal complaint to the BBC.”

According to David Harvey, from 3SIXTY Magazine, the makers of Question Time have been bombarded with complaints but intend to continue with Richard Green as a guest arguing free speech and the fact that Stephen Green represents a hard core of right win Christians.

However, Question Time has not invited anyone onto the show who represents Brighton’s very large gay community, which is a lot larger than Christian Voice.
 
In an email newsletter, Richard Green said his appearance on the programme was an indication that Christian Voice was now being taken seriously by the establishment.

“It is a sign that we are now being taken seriously by the establishment, but I really feel the need of prayer!,” Green said.

“This is a huge opportunity, and I do not want to let my Saviour down.  I want to bring out the word of God, not just my opinions”

Earlier this year The Co-Op Bank ended its banking service to Christian Voice after it refused to rescind verbal attacks on gay people. They were also instrumental in the campaign against the BBC's screening of Jerry Springer - The Opera, which resulted in a record 55,000 complaints and almost stopped a UK tour of the show taking place,

A peaceful demonstration against the appearance of Stephen Green appearing on such a high profile show on the BBC is being outside the Corn Exchange, Brighton, on Thursday 29 September at 6pm.

The guests on the programme are Patricia Hewitt MP, Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke MP, Simon Hughes MP and Janet Street-Porter.

Question Time will be broadcast from Brighton on Thursday 29 September at 10.35pm.