Anger after pope homosexuality comments

A suggestion by Pope Benedict XVI that homosexuality is as much of a threat to the survival of the human race as climate change has sparked outrage among gay rights campaigners.

In his end-of-year speech at the Vatican yesterday, the pope said gender theory blurred the distinction between male and female, and he called for 'an ecology of the human being' to protect mankind 'from self-destruction'.

Gender theory, which Pope Benedict referred to in English, explores how society designates fixed roles to people based on their gender and many gay groups see it as helpful to improving tolerance and understanding.

'It's the latest homophobic attack by this pope,' said Gustav Hofer, co-director of a documentary on the life of a gay couple in Italy called Suddenly Last Winter.

'The Vatican talks about homosexuality or trans-sexuality as if it were a whim, never as suffering,' Mr Hofer said, adding that the Roman Catholic Church 'reduces sexual orientation to the sexual act as if it had nothing to do with a person's identity'.

UK campaigners, including some priests from the Church of England, also took the remarks as an attack on homosexuality.

Reverend Doctor Giles Fraser, president of the pro-gay Anglican movement the Inclusive Church and vicar of a London parish, said: 'The pope is spreading fear that gay people somehow threaten the planet, and that's just absurd.

'As always, this sort of religious homophobia will be an alibi for all those who would do gay people harm. Can't he think of something better to say at Christmas?' he asked.

The Catholic Church has repeatedly spoken against gender theory, but yesterday was the first time the pope referred to it directly.

The remarks follow hard on the heels of the Vatican's refusal to join a UN appeal for the universal decriminalisation of homosexuality launched on 18 December by 66 countries.

More than 80 countries have laws against homosexuality, including nine in which it is punishable by death.

The Vatican is a staunch opponent of the death penalty, but fears the proposed UN resolution would encourage gay marriage.