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# Government furlough scheme funded anti-LGBTQ+ churches
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/government-furlough-scheme-funded-anti-lgbtq-churches/
- Published: 2021-05-29T10:14:57.000Z
- Updated: 2021-05-29T10:14:57.000Z
- Description: OpenDemocract revealed the government’s furlough scheme donated thousands to anti-LGBTQ+ churches.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Politics, COVID-19 Pandemic, LGBTQ, Peter Tatchell, UK

![](https://www.gscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/open-democracy-600-400.jpg)

A new report by **[OpenDemocracy](https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/dark-money-investigations/uk-government-criticised-for-handing-furlough-cash-to-homophobic-churches/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)** has revealed the **UK** government’s furlough scheme, put in place at the beginning of the pandemic, donated *“tens of thousands”* to anti-LGBTQ+ churches in a move described as *“reckless and irresponsible.”* Churches included in the government scheme had previously described homosexuality as *“demonic”,* as well as having a track record of supporting conversion therapy.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/conversion-therapy3600.png)

The controversial **Jesus House** church, which Labour leader **Keir Starmer** was [criticised](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/keir-starmer-criticised-for-visiting-anti-lgbtq-church/) for visiting due to its history of performing exorcisms on LGBTQ+ people, was provided with approximately £10,000 a month in December 2020 and January 2021\. The **Destiny Church Trust** in **Scotland** also received funding despite the group’s failed plans to host anti-LGBTQ+ American preacher, **Larry Stockstill**, who has described homosexuality as *“repulsive and deeply grievous”.*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/peter-tatchell-600400.jpg)

Peter Tatchell

In response to the findings, human rights campaigner and LGBTQ+ activist **Peter Tatchell** said: *“This is a form of de facto state endorsement of homophobic institutions. Organisations that do not conform to the principles of the Equality Act should not receive public money. It looks like the government has been handing out furlough money like confetti, without any checks that the recipient bodies adhere to the minimum standards of equality and non-discrimination. It is reckless and irresponsible.”*