Religious conference "went too far": OI official

The co-chair of the Olds Institute's community lifestyles committee worries that statements made during a religious conference could make the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community feel unwelcome and unloved.

Rita Thompson defends the right of people to practise their religious beliefs, but at the same time, believes those in the LGBTQ community should be respected and allowed to live their lives without feeling disrespected or unwelcome.

During the conference, held at the TransCanada Theatre and Olds First Baptist Church last month, speaker Jon Lutz said according to the Bible, homosexuals should live as heterosexuals.

Also, speaker Jojo Ruba said transgender people are evading reality. He compared it to people who have eating disorders.

“I don't share the belief of the religious right. But I believe in their right to freedom of religion; to practise their beliefs and be who they are. And I also believe that the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer community has a right to live in our community free from fear,” Thompson said during an interview with the Albertan.

“It's about being your authentic self. It's about acceptance, understanding and respect for differences -- for me. I feel really strongly about that,” she added.

“My fear would be that the way that they spoke about not being accepted by the Bible and not accepted by God, that's all a matter of interpretation,” Thompson said.

Speaking of the presenters at the religious conference, she said, “I accept, understand and respect their right to believe what they want.

“(However,) I believe they went a little bit far that way and I would fear for people in our community who are (lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer) and then don't feel they can be their authentic selves because it's not accepted – and leads to oppression and oppression leads to depression.”