By Andy Simon @AndySimon55

Some I suspect would have the view, that religion has absolutely no tolerance or acceptance for anyone or anything which would bring about a scenario that would be perceived by that religion, as negative, derogatory, slanderous, damaging or indeed blasphemous, or in any way, contrary to the core traditions, beliefs and the good name of that said religion.

Wow; what a mouthful. I wonder if I have missed my vocation in life and instead should have become a BS artist?

Perhaps I'm one already? Now please; don't reply to that as I may have already guessed your answer. Anyway; down to business . . .

The first episode of Sunday's new investigative documentary on BBC3, "Queer Britain", asked a very intriguing question . . .

"Does God hate queers?"

Well to begin with, I have a problem with that question.

Firstly; the term, "queer", as some describe being LGBTQ is In my opinion, an extremely shallow and derogatory one, as I personally find there is absolutely nothing queer about being different.

Secondly; I personally don't believe in God.

The term LGBTQ (an acronym) as I understand it, is as follows . . .

LGBTQ: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer. A term given to identify a person or persons, whose sexual or gender orientation creates a shared political, and/or social concern.

Why should being "different", cause concern? Perhaps this question applies only to those who do not understand the concept of, "different"? I certainly don't have a problem with it.

And to be fair, neither does the BBC as this new documentary series clearly shows, that it does not in any way support nor promote, any anti-gay, or homophobic views.

What it does do however in the first episode of this intriguing series, is to shine some light on many various and diverse paths of sexuality, that are more often than not, grossly misunderstood.

Take Josh for example.

Here is a different person (at least to me he is) who after coming out and telling his parents he was gay, is disowned.

Josh up until then, was a practicing Jehovah's Witness. And soon after coming out, his parents and the Kingdom Hall Ministry, abandoned him. As a consequence, Josh has not seen his parents since he came out and bravely told the truth. Incredible!

Then there was Elijah, a Pan-sexual, Omnisexual ,Trans-Masculine person, who uses "Him", and "He" pronouns, also felt extremely isolated from society, simply because of who he is.

Again, to me at least; another different person, Elijah has found hope, solace, understanding and more importantly, acceptance in one of many faith groups, opening up to LGBTQ's throughout the country. He was due to undergo what was termed as a Naming Ceremony, and as I watched this ceremony play out, I couldn't help but ask the question, "Why can't we just accept these people for who and what they are?" Is it really so difficult?

Then there was Dr Mike Davidson, who claims his homosexuality was cured through therapy?

Mike; a man who claimed to be in conflict with his homosexuality due to his Christian identity, apparently was "Cured" through a therapy provided by an organisation known as, The Core Issues Trust (Not "The Core Trust', as presenter Riyadh Khalaf called it) a Christian organization who claim they can change you, and get rid of your homosexuality.

Mike explained that for some people, their homosexual feelings were inconsistent with their Christian values. Well; you don't have to be Christian or religious for that matter to work that out, as the various religious books regardless of what God they represent have various passages within them that scorn homosexuality.

Mike regarded this inconsistency as a developed mental issue, which over time and with the right treatment through therapy, can be worked on. Are we talking Brain washing here?

And to be fair, Dr Davidson claims to charge zero for the services he provides to those who may have these so called inconsistencies, and so seek Mike's help to resolve them.

However I couldn't help but feel Dr Mike was intimating that ones sexuality was "Interchangeable"? Just didn't ring true with me.

Moments later my suspicions were quickly confirmed when Riyadh Khalaf, the journalist presenting this documentary, and after talking with Dr Davidson via Skype said, "I'm sorry but if you are offering people this service, you are telling them there is something lesser or something wrong with their sexual identity and their sexuality. I find it deeply, deeply insulting that anyone, even a therapist, would say that my sexuality was Interchangeable."

I couldn't agree with you more sir.

The next person to have issues with their sexuality or more accurately, having difficulty getting others to accept their sexuality was a muslim called Mariam, but I will let you draw your own conclusions on this last example.

I am after all; trying to encourage you to watch the series because it's definitely worth watching.

In summing up; this is only episode one of a six part series, and it should have already (hopefully) produced lots to talk about.

And this is the real issue I think, talking.
There simply isn't enough of it.

It has been proven again and again, that by talking, opening up, debating and discussing that, which is all too often, swept under the carpet, regarded as a forbidden subject, taboo, or simply ignored, and is therefore left unchallenged by open and honest dialogue, will surely suffer the ravages of ignorance.

And we all know what damage ignorance can do, if left to its own dark devices.

This is why programmes like these are so important and indeed, so watchable.

They try to lift up that carpet of ignorance, and by doing so hopefully sweep away negative opinions, bred by prejudice and misunderstanding, with exposure, discussion, and to hopefully bring about a clearer opinion, that being "different", is really not so bad after all, and not so scary, and most definitely not; something to be ashamed, or indeed, afraid of.

I still personally do not like the term, "queer" , because I see nothing whatsoever wrong in being different. In fact; I personally take a great delight, whenever I encounter difference.

And as to whether God hates queers?

Well; if I may quote a line in answer, from that classic 1939 film, "Gone With The Wind" . . .

"Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn!"

BBC3's interesting and intriguing documentary, "Queer Britain", continues next Sunday at 9pm, via the BBC's iPlayer service.

Thanks for reading.

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