Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1998 16:18:39 +0100 Subject: Gay Protest at Sir David English's Memorial Service From: OW-jgh Gay rights campaigners breached the Prime Minister's security net to stage a silent protest during the Memorial Service for the former editor of the 'Daily Mail, Sir David English, today, Thursday, 15th October, 1998. The 12 noon service was held in St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, London, to pay homage to Sir David who died in June, aged 67. After a reading by the new Lord Rothermere, owner of the Dail Mail, five members of OutRage! walked to the front of the church and held up placards accusing the late Sir David of being a "gay baiter", "queer basher" and "homo hater". The brief, dignified protest --to expose the truth about Sir David's homophobia-- took place in front of VIPs and dignitaries: including Prime Minister Tony Blair, Leader of the Opposition William Hague, and former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who were sitting just eight feet away in the front pews. After standing in front of the church altar in silence, the OutRage! protesters had their placards ripped from their hands by the priest and church stewards. One protester walked down the side aisle displaying his placard, whilst the others were being hustled out of a side door. There were no arrests. OutRage! says the Daily Mail, under Sir David's 21-year editorship (1971-1992), "promoted prejudice, intolerance and discrimination against lesblans and gay men". "Sir David encouraged news stories and editorials that stereotyped, vilified, misrepresented and demonised the homosexual community", said Ray Harvey-Amer of OutRage!. "His coverage of AIDS and Section 28 was blatantly homophohic. He stirred up hatred against homosexuals and contributed to an atmosphere of intolerance that led to a massive increase in queer-bashing attacks and murders. "Sir David and the Daily Mail have queer blood on their hands. "This Memorial Service was a sham. It ignores the pain and suffering inflicted on lesbian and gay people by a man who was a shameless propagandist for homophobia. "Sir David was a belligerent opponent of lesbian and gay human rights, arguing ferociously in support of discrimination against homosexuals. "His editorship of the Daily Mail was a low-point in journalistic ethics. Objectivity, honesty and compassion towards lesbian and gay people were elbowed aside. "Sir David will always be remembered by the gay community: as a promoter of bigotry and intolerance", said Harvey-Amer . ======================================================== A copy of this press release, with links, is on the OutRage! web site at: http://www.OutRage.cygnet.co.uk/english.htm ======================================================== ======================================================== -- You may leave this list automatically by sending a message to list-processor@diversity.org.uk, containing a line that says unsubscribe outrage-world The 'lists' command will give information about other services