TN pastor shouts antihomosexuality slogans in court

Days after the Supreme Court decriminalised homosexuality, a city-based pastor raised slogans against homosexuality and the landmark judgement in a court complex here Monday, police said.

Standing in the corridor of the district court complex, Father Felix Jebasingh of Puliyakulam Church urged people not to support gay marriages.

“Please do not support the court judgement on Section 377 (of IPC).Jesus Christ is arriving. His arrival is imminent. This type of marriages will lead to total destruction of the society,” the pastor shouted even as police escorted him out.

He said “God has destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah using fire and sulphur because they allowed homosexuality... don’t support homosexuality”.

The pastor was referring to Sodom and Gomorrah, notoriously sinful cities in the biblical book of Genesis, destroyed by sulphur and fire. Police said the pastor was taken to a nearby police station and later let off.

Homosexuality is not a criminal offence, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled last Thursday, holding that part of a 158year-old colonial law that criminalised it, violated the constitutional right to equality and dignity. The top court decriminalised part of the Section 377, saying it was irrational, indefensible and manifestly arbitrary. The order was welcomed by members of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community.

COIMBATORE: