LONDON (EJP)--- The British Jewish community has disassociated itself from a Christian-led protest outside the British Parliament on Tuesday evening against gay rights legislation.

The umbrella Board of Deputies of British Jews says that although it has reservations about the Government’s Sexual Orientation Regulations, indicating in a statement that the new laws must not restrict Jewish community members’ "freedom of conscience and conviction", it is not joining a torchlight protest against the plans, and does not believe any fringe Jewish groupings from the UK are doing so either.

The legislation would ban discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services on the basis of sexuality in a similar way to the rules on sexual discrimination and racial discrimination.

Catholic concern

Some Christian and Muslim organisations organised a demonstration against the rules, claiming they would "actively condone and promote" gay sex.

In particular, religious Catholic adoption agencies have said they fear they may be forced to allow gay couples to adopt.

Some black churches have also added their voices to the protest, saying pastors and churchgoers would go to jail rather than accept rules that would mean they had to open their meeting halls to gay lobby groups.

Thousands have already signed a petition to the Queen organised by Christian Concern for Our Nation, part of the Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship, against the new laws.

The petition, signed by 10,000 Christians, warns that the new laws will have the consequence of "discriminating heavily" against Christians of all backgrounds and denominations.

And Muslim organisations have put together a petition protesting against the rules.

Last week, the Board issued a statement claiming the new laws must not restrict Jewish community members’ "freedom of conscience and conviction" at the same time.

"We hope that to this effect the regulations will be framed in such a way that allows for both the effective combating of discrimination in the provision of goods and services whilst respecting freedom of conscience and conviction," the statement said.

No participation

However, a spokesman for the Board of Deputies said Tuesday that the group had now decided to play no part in the demonstration.
"To my knowledge there are no Jewish groups who will be participating in the protest," he said.

The organisation also appeared to give a guarded welcome to the rules if phrased with the correct safeguards, saying: "The Sexual Orientation Regulations will provide a further platform to combat discrimination in this country."

The House of Lords was due to debate Tuesday evening how the legislation will be phrased.