Church group outrage
Outraged councilors are threatening to oust a church group from the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre, due to claims of affiliation with the practice of same-sex aversion therapy.
The claim was first made by members of ACON, an HIV health organisation.
However spokesperson for the Evangelism Ministries Church, Russell Powell, has said the group coordinator didn’t even know what the practice was.
“The group has no intention whatsoever to conduct or refer to ‘aversion or conversion therapy,” he said.
Greens Councilor Irene Doutney said links on the church’s website led to anti-gay material.
Liberal Councilor Shayne Mallard said such a position wouldn’t fit in with the City’s value of diversity.
“We would need really clear proof, absolute proof, that they are not in any way doing this activity in the City of Sydney, because if they are I don’t think the community would in any way support them being in our facility,” he said.
He said the church could claim discrimination if the claims were found to be true, but that they could “bring it on”.
Mr Powell said he was writing to council to clarify the matter and had no further comment.
By Lawrence Bull
