Reverend worried about gay pride event
A CHURCH leader has voiced his concerns over plans to finish this year's Gloucestershire Pride march in the Docks.
Douglas Drane, from the Mariners' Chapel in the centre of the docks, said he was worried by the change of route because it may disrupt a wedding service booked in at the church the same day.
The event, one of the biggest days for the gay community in the county, is due to go ahead on June 26 and will end up in the Docks for the first time in its six-year history.
He said: "I'm not throwing a tantrum about the event itself.
"My motto is live and let live, although I'm not homosexual, and I've got my own Christian views on that.
"My annoyance is that no one approached me. I could have told them months ago that the Mariners' Church had committed to this wedding." But organiser Joseph Picknell said they were aiming to work around the wedding on the day.
He said: "It will be taking place very close to the chapel, but we're not starting until 1.30pm, so unless the wedding is going to be an hour-and-a-half long it shouldn't be a problem.
"We've told the people setting it all up to get it finished by 12pm, so it's not going to disturb the wedding. We have also spoken to the couple and they are fine with it.
"It's our first year using the Docks, and we're very excited about it."
Jane Brown, contracts manager for the Gloucester Docks Trading Company, said: "The organisers have to apply through us to be able to use the Docks. They also have a apply for a temporary event notice.
"As far as I'm concerned, if the paperwork reaches me by the deadline, I have no problem with the event going ahead."
The paperwork for the hire of the Docks area for the event was due to be submitted yesterday.
3 Comments
by Sean Keeney, Cheltenham
Thursday, June 17 2010, 10:42AM
“Yet again my comment is removed - could anybody care to tell me which of the house rules I breached?”
by Mariners Flowergirl, Glos Docks
Wednesday, June 16 2010, 11:03AM
“Chaplain at the Mariners is simply giving public notice that a very precious service is taking place!
"A Wedding".
Mariners is an open door Chapel, on a daily basis, Tourists from far and wide enjoy the tranquility of prayer there and we are committed to that, it is sensible for it to be recognised.Jr”
by glos gal, glos
Wednesday, June 16 2010, 9:21AM
“"My motto is live and let live, although I'm not homosexual, and I've got my own Christian views on that.
so they have spoken to the couple who ave no issue, they have co ordinated things around the wedding, I would say the only person who has an issue with this is the church leader!
The church should be using this opportunity to show that the christian faith is available to all and not just the ones who pretend to be perfect!”