Date: Sun, 12 Mar 1995 18:32:52 +0100 (NFT) From: Bj|rn Skolander Swedish Politics: Discrimination of Gays and Lesbians within the Church A group of Swedish Social Democratic members of the Swedish Parliament want to put an end to the discrimination of gay and lesbian clergymen/priests within the national Swedish Church. In a motion submitted to the parliament they propose actions against bishops who refuse to ordain gay and lesbian priests. "The Swedish Parliament decided in 1994 to give gay men and lesbians the right to register their partnerships. That was a step in the right direction towards equality between homosexuals and heterosexuals. A short time after this decision we learned that a bishop has refused to ordain gay and lesbian persons. This refusal we regard as discrimination at the work-place. The growing openness and the rights we think should prevail in our society do accordingly not exist within the Church. We find this situation regrettable and unacceptable." /.../ "We find it necessary to investigate the possibilities of parliament to influence the Church to end its discrimination against homosexuals. It is important to make clear our society's attitude, that discrimination at work- places is unacceptable. The Church can not be any exception to that rule." It is not yet clear when the proposal will be discussed in parliament. /Bjorn