"In a letter to the university, 21-year-old politics and international relations student Josiah Diamond described the play as "not only blasphemous in a direct sense, but of a particular offensive and violating nature to adherents of the faith and openly opposing doctrine." "By allowing this performance to go ahead, the university is supportive of groups who chose to openly mock the Bible," Diamond, a former Muslim who converted to Christianity, wrote, according to The Telegraph. "We are amazed that York St John supports such an approach. I am certain that you would not allow Muslims at the university to be so treated. I believe that you are discriminating against Christians.""
"Donna Smith, the CEO of the university's student union, responded that the play had "been given consideration of its script and context," and that she had found "no evidence that the event constitutes unlawful harassment, discrimination, or hate speech under U.K. law." "I believe there will be no use of threatening, abusive words or behaviour intended to stir up religious hatred," Smith said, adding that the play is "a reinterpretation of a religious theme which is protected under artistic expression.""
York St. John University permitted an LGBTQ+ Student Network production titled A Gay in a Manger that reimagined the nativity with Mary and Joseph portrayed as a lesbian couple, Jesus framed as "the new King of the Gays," heaven depicted as a gay disco, and Herod and the three wise men presented as drag queens. Christian students threatened to protest after the university declined to cancel the show. A student described the production as blasphemous and offensive and alleged discrimination against Christians. The student union CEO said the script and context were reviewed, no unlawful harassment or hate speech was found, and the performance is protected as artistic expression. The university acknowledged that some community members may feel offended or uncomfortable.
Read at LGBTQ Nation
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