Solidarity with those who have experienced sexual orientation-based persecution
October 17, 2009
The Student Christian Movement of Canada (SCM) stands in solidarity with individuals persecuted due to their sexual orientation in all places as well as organizations and individuals who support these oppressive practices.
The Student Christian Movement (SCM) is an ecumenical network of student collectives engaged in spirituality and progressive social justice issues at universities across Canada. SCM Canada strives to be a healing community, embraces radical ecumenism and interreligious praxis, acts in solidarity with the oppressed, resists structures of domination, and works for justice in its varied forms and settings.
Recently in the news there have been reports of the persecution of gay men and those assumed to be gay men in Iraq. We are very concerned to hear of the torture and brutal physical treatment of these persons, which we believe to be simply inexcusable.We mourn the deaths of Mazen and Namir, two young men killed in Baghdad due to their sexual orientation on April 4, 2009, along with the many others who have lost their lives through these attacks against persons perceived to be homosexual (or gay and lesbian) in Iraq.
Additionally, we express strong concern based on negative media attention relating to men and those assumed to be gay men in Iraq and also the use of derogatory language to refer to these persons. We affirm, rather, the holiness found in the diversity of ways that sexuality and gender are expressed. We dream and work for the day when that diversity might be celebrated everywhere.
As SCM, we support the work of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights Program of Human Rights Watch and other organizations working to support queer people facing persecution. We strongly support recognizing persecution based on gender identity, sexual orientation and expression as grounds for refugee claims andcall all governments, including Canada’s, to accept such claimants who wish to enter their country.
The SCM affirms that all individuals are loved by God and celebrates the diversity of sex, gender, and sexuality present in humanity. The SCM seeks to establish right relations with queer both in Canada and throughout the world. We also believe that all persons deserve to be treated fairly and humanely, and that physical mistreatment of any persons for any reason is a severe injustice that must stop immediately and we must all speak out against.
“By proclaiming God’s preferential option for the poor and marginalized, we act in solidarity with the oppressed to resist structures of domination and realize justice in this world” (SCM Living Prayer Mission Statement).
In the name of Christ the Liberator,
Statement passed by full consensus of the elected
General Board of the Student Christian Movement of Canada
