JD is right to call out hypocrisy of church

RE: John Dalziel and Coventry Cathedral. One day, we’ll look back at the issue of religious organisations blocking gay marriages in the same light as the banning of racial intermarriage many decades ago.

If it isn’t for people like John Dalziel calling out hypocrisy of these large organisations that hide behind ‘the global church’, then progress doesn’t happen.

Gatecrasher seems all too happy to use this as free publicity, and accused John of supposedly trying to ‘ban the event’. But actually his words were of comparison.

Knowing that John only wants the best for the city, of course he supports an event like this. We all do. But I stand fully behind him that, in the eyes of the church, how can a club night, with alcohol and no worship at all, be allowed to hold centre stage in one of Coventry’s most historical buildings? Yet two of its citizens can’t stand side by side and declare their love – something their peers can do.

This isn’t about banning a club night. This is about calling out a religious organisation that is out-dated and doesn’t deserve to be the keeper of this beautiful Coventry asset, when it’s not truly available to everyone.

I hope John is respected for his protestation. It benefits us to keep calling out these organisations. You never know when someone you love will want the same rights as you. Calum Brannan Coventry-born entrepreneur London

OCTOBER 14, 2005: Yoko Ono sits on the replica wrought iron seat bench made for the Theatre Absolute play The Lennon Bench. The original was presented to the cathedral by John and Yoko in 1968. Hundreds of fans turned out to give a warm welcome to Yoko Ono during a visit to Coventry to launch Coventry Peace Month.