Organisers, who have previously held the conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland, have insisted the title is not meant to cause offence.

The Core Issues Trust says it disagrees with the way leprosy sufferers were shunned in biblical times and compare that with how people with “conflicted in religious and sexual identity” are treated now.

But its beliefs and aims have been described today as “specious” and “deeply insulting”.

The conference, which will be held from 10am-8pm at the Emmanuel Centre in London’s Westminster, is set to “explore the role of evangelical and orthodox churches in supporting men and women with unwanted same sex attractions”.

The organisation, which says it is recognised as a charity by HMRC, issued a carefully-worded official statement on ‘change’ in 2010, saying: “All human sexuality is fallen and is in need of the sanctifying work of God to restore it to its intended wholeness and divine purpose.

“There is a growing body of research evidence indicating that sexual preference is neither immutable, innate nor chosen. As a consequence of our basic sinfulness we all have desires that we do not choose to have but we do have choices with respect to what we do about them.

“As a consequence our sexual identity can be reinforced or altered by either gender-affirming or gay-affirming lifestyles or therapies. CORE works with people who voluntarily seek to change from a “gay” lifestyle to a gender-affirming one. This is sometimes referred to as a “sexual re-orientation” process.”

‘Gay cure’ therapies are roundly rejected by professional bodies, but the group has denied offering “conflicted” people conversion therapy. They also say the conference is concerned with theology rather than psychotherapy and that they respect the rights of gays who do not “seek change”.

Organisers said in a statement ahead of the Belfast conference: “Core Issues Trust does not offer so-called ‘Reparative’ or ‘Conversion’ therapy but does offer support to individuals conflicted in religious and sexual identity, within a specific ethical framework.”

That framework advises therapists to seek “clarification of tailored pathways appropriate for future identity integration, consistent with personal values. This clarification may lead to a quest for celibacy, integration (to the LGB community) or to change.”

It also reminds therapists to tell clients that “reorientation” therapy could be psychologically damaging and that there is no evidence it works.

The group’s official statement on ‘change’ also says: “Merely abstaining from homosexual activity, although admirable, cannot be regarded as healing. Heterosexual preference is the goal of gender-affirming therapy and this may lead to marriage. However there will always be those who choose to remain celibate and single. Such singleness should be valued and respected.”

The British Psychoanalytic Council recently adopted a position statement saying it is “opposed to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and does not accept that a homosexual orientation is evidence of disturbance of the mind or in development.”

Commenting on the event, the British Humanist Association Head of Public Affairs Naomi Phillips said: “The Core Issues Trust state they wish to work with those who ‘seek to change from a “gay” lifestyle to a gender-affirming one’, however the suggestion that homosexuality is a problem in need of a ‘cure’ is deeply insulting to lesbian, gay and bisexual people, profoundly objectionable, and wrong.

“Specious claims that someone’s sexual orientation can be changed through religion or therapy lack any credible basis, and conversion therapy can prove extremely harmful, especially where vulnerable individuals are being targeted. These kinds of biblically-inspired attempts to change sexual orientation have been repeatedly denounced by the UK Council for Psychotherapy, the British Medical Association, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists.”

Dr Paul Miller, the infamous psychiatrist who was the subject of an exposé in 2010 that led to him being reported to the General Medical Council, is on the conference’s Council of Reference.

He has recently been put under a supervision order by the GMC, who confirmed to PinkNews.co.uk last week that he was under investigation.

A statement by the Trust ahead of its Belfast conference says it “recognises the fundamental human rights of the LGBT community to live in partnerships that are happy, fulfilled and respected. It acknowledges that Christians have different understandings of the teachings on the bible around human sexuality.

“It reserves the right to offer alternative orthodox views to those who choose to prioritise a religious identity over a sexual identity, or when these identities collide.”

But it also requests the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy recognise the “dangers” of a conflicted person “prematurely foreclosing” on a gay identity.

It “requests more thorough discussion about how to deal with competing religious and cultural values, and for these groups to recognise the poor quality of currently available scientific data and the lack of adequate evidence around both proving or disproving sexual orientation change efforts.”

UK Council for Psychotherapy chair, Professor Andrew Samuels said: “This isn’t about respecting religious belief or freedom of speech. Those are just smokescreens. This is really about homophobia – fear and hatred of sexual minorities – often fuelled by highly controversial readings of scripture.

“Every responsible organisation in the field of psychotherapy, counselling and mental health has expressed extreme concern at the practice of therapy intended to change sexual orientation.

“Such attempts are profoundly unethical, don’t work, and exploit the undeniable difficulties people from sexual minorities experience in our society. It is vital that people don’t get fooled by expressions of love and support for gays and lesbians emanating from the Core Issues Trust.”

Talks at the conference have titles including: ‘All of us Get Healed Together or Nobody Gets Healed: Marriage, Chaos, Love Disorders, Sexual Inversions and Gender Confusions’, ‘Fallen church leaders and members’ and ‘Naming the sin, lifting the shame’.

The event leaflet states: “The organisers welcome to this event all those who might disagree with the opinions expressed by presenters, or those held by Core Issues Trust who seek to attend for the purpose of engaging with the speakers.”

PinkNews.co.uk is awaiting a response from the Core Issues Trust to objections raised about the conference.

But organisers of ‘The Lepers Among Us’ insist they did not mean to cause offence.

They claim to disagree with the way leprosy sufferers were shunned in biblical times and compare that with how people with “conflicted in religious and sexual identity” are treated now.

On Friday and Saturday of this week, the conference is set to “explore the role of evangelical and orthodox churches in supporting men and women with unwanted same sex attractions”.

Protests were held last year at the conference, hosted by the Belvoir Church in Belfast who said last year they were not ideologically attached to the group.

The event says it is concerned with theology rather than psychotherapy and the group respects the rights of gays who do not “seek change”.

Organisers said in a statement: “Core Issues Trust does not offer so-called ‘Reparative’ or ‘Conversion’ therapy but does offer support to individuals conflicted in religious and sexual identity, within a specific ethical framework.”

That framework advises therapists to seek “clarification of tailored pathways appropriate for future identity integration, consistent with personal values. This clarification may lead to a quest for celibacy, integration (to the LGB community) or to change.”

It also reminds therapists to tell clients that “reorientation” therapy could be psychologically damaging and that there is no evidence it works.

Dr Paul Miller, the infamous psychiatrist who was the subject of an exposé in 2010 that led to him being reported to the General Medical Council, is on the conference’s Council of Reference.

He has recently been put under a supervision order by the GMC, who confirmed to PinkNews.co.uk this week that he is under investigation.

A statement by the Trust last week says it “recognises the fundamental human rights of the LGBT community to live in partnerships that are happy, fulfilled and respected. It acknowledges that Christians have different understandings of the teachings on the bible around human sexuality.

“It reserves the right to offer alternative orthodox views to those who choose to prioritise a religious identity over a sexual identity, or when these identities collide.”

But it also requests the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy recognise the “dangers” of a conflicted person “prematurely foreclosing” on a gay identity.

It “requests more thorough discussion about how to deal with competing religious and cultural values, and for these groups to recognise the poor quality of currently available scientific data and the lack of adequate evidence around both proving or disproving sexual orientation change efforts.”

Talks at the conference have titles including: ‘All of us Get Healed Together or Nobody Gets Healed: Marriage, Chaos, Love Disorders, Sexual Inversions and Gender Confusions’, ‘Fallen church leaders and members’ and ‘Naming the sin, lifting the shame’.

John Doherty, Director of the Rainbow Project told the Belfast Telegraph: “We are very upset that these types of conferences are continuing.

“We will be protesting between 9.30am and 11am next Friday and Saturday to run alongside the opening of the conference.

“We have a number of issues with the event. Firstly, the name which refers to lepers. Regardless of the organisers’ intention, we consider it to be homophobic to the LGB community. And, secondly, we consider the practice of reparative therapy to use methods that are possibly dangerous.”

The current judicial review taking place at the High Court in Belfast, to challenge the ban on unmarried couples being considered for adoption in Northern Ireland, has been put on hold while investigations are made.

The provision which blocks people in civil partnerships from being considered for adoption had been characterised as a mistake before the House of Lords during a case in 2008.

But the Department of Health, who are being represented by the attorney general in the review, said yesterday that the provision had been intentionally added by the government at the time of the civil partnerships legislation.

The Human Rights Commission wants the judicial review to bring Northern Ireland’s adoption rules in line with those in other parts of the UK, saying the ban on unmarried couples being considered as adoptive parents is contrary to human rights laws.

In 2008, the House of Lords ruled that an unmarried couple should be allowed to be considered for adoption of a child. It was in this case that Stormont’s provision blocking people in civil partnerships from adopting was incorrectly characterised as a “mistake”.

Mr Justice Treacy said: “How on earth a massive mistake like that could have been communicated to the House of Lords and nobody saw fit to (correct it), I have great difficulty in understanding.”

Monye Anyadike-Danes QC, for the commission, said: “The upshot of that is that if you are in a civil partnership you can neither adopt as a single person or adopt as a couple.

“It wasn’t until Tuesday that we got the statement that the mistake wasn’t a mistake, it was intentional.”

But the attorney general, John Larkin QC, called the application to adjourn the hearing “outrageous”, since the unnamed lesbian couple backing the judicial review are not in a civil partnership themselves.

He said: “It would have been striking if by the back door (of the) civil partnership legislation, there was some overwhelming transformation of the legal landscape on adoption.

“That is precisely what the government was trying to avoid.”

The Judge will hear the Commission’s application for information on in February, and the case is likely to being again in late March.

The Human Rights Commission is challenging laws which it argues are incompatible with those in England, Wales and Scotland, and do not protect the interests of the child in question.

A judicial review of the legislation is being applied for after an historic House of Lords decision in 2008.

In that case, it was held that a man should not be barred from applying to adopt his female partner’s daughter on the basis that they were not married.

Monye Anyadike-Danes QC said: “Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom which provides a gateway for adoption through which only couples who are married may pass.”

Making opening arguments yesterday, the BBC reports Ms Anyadike-Danes saying the challenge is focused on ensuring gay and unmarried couples are not automatically excluded at the first stage of the adoption process.

Instead, their ability to provide “a nurturing and loving and permanent home” should be assessed in the same way as straight couples.

She added: “The current state of the law, we say, is not something that has been established to be in the best interest of the child.

“We consider the status quo, as it impacts on all unmarried couples, to be discriminatory.”

The hearing, which began on Monday, is expected to last three days.

The bisexual star, who has been praised for her gay rights activism, was nominated a total of six times.

She won the award for Best Female, and her single Born This Way took Best Song and Best Video.

The MTV Europe Awards also gave her the newly-created Biggest Fans award, honouring her many followers, who the performer calls her “little monsters”.

The evening did not run smoothly throughout however, as a male streaker appeared on stage before Lady Gaga was announced as having won Best Song.

Hayden Panettiere, who was set to present the trophy, was shocked but retained her composure as the Northern Irish man, who described himself as a “big fan” of the actress, was on stage for about a minute before running backstage.

The man was later identified as actor David Monaghan, and the streak was largely decried on Twitter as a publicity stunt.

Lady Gaga, was also nominated for the title of Stonewall Awards’ Hero of the Year in 2011.

She announced this month the launch of the Born This Way Foundation, named after her hit single and album that will focus on issues such as anti-bullying.

Speaking about the Foundation, Lady Gaga said: “We call it the Born This Way Foundation. Together we hope to establish a standard of Bravery and Kindness, as well as a community worldwide that protects and nurtures others in the face of bullying and abandonment.”

Mr Poots announced last month that he would not lift the lifetime ban on gay men donating blood because of “public safety”, despite the rest of the UK switching to a one-year deferral period November 7th.

The health minister, who says he is “an opponent of the theory of evolution”, has been accused of homophobia.

Yesterday, he was questioned by the Stormont Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety yesterday on why Northern Ireland is not following England, Wales and Scotland.

Gay rights group the Rainbow Project has been pressuring Mr Poots to lift the ban and has said it may seek a judicial review of his decision.

According to the Belfast Telegraph, John O’Doherty, from the Rainbow Project, said: “We are unclear how the minister arrived at a different position from his counterparts in other parts of the UK. We need to know what medical advice he has received.”

Another representative from the Rainbow Project, Matthew McDermott, pointed out that Mr Poots said he would accept donated blood from England, Wales and Scotland which would presumably include blood from gay and bisexual men who have not had sex in the last 12 months.

The minister, who said he was still consulting with health experts, said: “I’m not apologising for taking a precautionary approach.

“Ultimately my responsibility is the safety of the public …I’m not going to be rushed, pushed or harassed.”

In September, UK health ministers announced that the rules would be relaxed in England, Wales and Scotland on November 7th – allowing gay and bisexual men to donate if they refrain from sex for 12 months.

The decision followed a review by the government’s Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO).

Some campaigners have argued that any ban based on sexual orientation is discriminatory and may break European law.

The Rainbow Project report, Left out of the Equation, says gay, lesbian and bisexual pupils suffer severe inequality.

Problems include bullying, teachers failing to tackle homophobic abuse, poor sexual health information and schools’ failure to teach about stable and fulfilling relationships.

Young LGB people are left to “suffer in silence” because they fear coming out, the charity says.

The report says: “LGB young people are one of the most invisible, isolated and vulnerable groups in our society. Homophobic bullying is rife in schools across Northern Ireland and it continues, unchallenged, because school staff lack the capacity, confidence or will to tackle it.

“Many LGB young people experience severe emotional, verbal and physical abuse while they are at school and yet continue to suffer in silence because they do not want to ‘out’ themselves, because they believe that the school would look unfavourably upon them, or because they do not believe that the school will take any appropriate action.

It adds: “Although many young LGB people are coming out at an earlier age, many spend their time in school trying to conceal their sexual orientation from their parents, teachers, peers and even themselves.”

Rainbow Project education equality officer Gavin Boyd said: “This report shows that when it comes to education, young people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual are left out of the equation.

“They get severely bullied but frequently don’t tell anyone because they don’t believe their school will do anything about it. They hear homophobic slurs every day but teachers don’t intervene. They aren’t taught that they can have stable and fulfilling relationships. They aren’t taught how to gauge risk and protect themselves from mental and sexual ill-health. They are simply expected to suffer in silence.”

He added: “The education structures of Northern Ireland ensure that boards of governors can neglect their legal obligations due to the lack of enforcement and accountability mechanisms. Boards of governors are failing to safeguard and promote the welfare of their LGB pupils, contrary to their legal obligations.”

Mr Poots announced last week that he would not lift the lifetime ban on gay men donating blood, despite the rest of the UK doing so on November 7th.

The minister, who has been accused of homophobia, said relaxing the rules could lead to HIV transmission.

Gay rights group The Rainbow Project said it had written to Mr Poots on September 8th and has received no reply.

Director John O’Docherty told the Belfast Telegraph: “We are very disappointed the minister has not yet responded to us, even with an acknowledgement letter.
“We are keen to meet with him to discuss the decision.

“Mr Poots will still accept blood from other parts of the UK but will not allow gay men in Northern Ireland to donate blood.

“There are serious questions about the legality of this decision. We are currently considering a number of steps but hope he changes his position.”

Writing last week, Mr Poots said: “The Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) has confirmed that the risk of HIV infection would, although by a small margin, increase as a result of a relaxation in the present lifetime deferral.”

Earlier this month, UK health ministers announced that the rules would be relaxed in England, Wales and Scotland on November 7th – allowing gay and bisexual men to donate if they refrain from sex for 12 months.

The decision followed a review by the government’s Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO).

Some campaigners have argued that any ban based on sexual orientation is discriminatory and may break European law.

Mr Poots said this week that he would not bring Northern Ireland in line with the rest of the country because of fears around HIV transmission.

The health minister, who says he is “an opponent of the theory of evolution”, has been accused of homophobia.

Sinn Fein health committee chairwoman Michelle Gildernew said: “This decision is wrong and Mr Poots needs to reverse it. The minister is bringing his own prejudice into play.”

Ulster Unionist health spokesman John McCallister accused the health minister of “outdated and irrational prejudice”.

The centrist Alliance party’s health spokesman, Kieran McCarthy, called the ban “despicable” and said it was “disgraceful” that Mr Poots was allowing it to continue.

Writing earlier this week, Mr Poots said: “The Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) has confirmed that the risk of HIV infection would, although by a small margin, increase as a result of a relaxation in the present lifetime deferral.”

Earlier this month, UK health ministers announced that the rules would be relaxed in England, Wales and Scotland on November 7th – allowing gay and bisexual men to donate if they refrain from sex for 12 months.

The decision followed a review by the government’s Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO).

Some campaigners have argued that any ban based on sexual orientation is discriminatory and may break European law.

John Dalli, the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, said recently that while EU laws demand donation restriction on those at higher risk of HIV, sexual behaviour is not identical to sexual orientation.

He has said that the current policy “should not be altered” because of safety concerns around HIV transmission.

Earlier this month, UK health ministers announced that the rules would be relaxed in England, Wales and Scotland on November 7th – allowing gay and bisexual men to donate if they refrain from sex for 12 months.

The decision followed a review by the government’s Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO).

However, Mr Poots said Northern Ireland would not follow suit.

Writing to a UUP MLA, he said: “The Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) has confirmed that the risk of HIV infection would, although by a small margin, increase as a result of a relaxation in the present lifetime deferral.”

UUP health spokesman John McCallister told the Belfast Telegraph: “We cannot turn willing blood donors away because of out-dated and irrational prejudice.”

Gay rights group The Rainbow Project, which pressed Mr Poots for a decision on the matter, accused him of homophobia.

Project director John O’Doherty said: “If the minister truly wanted to minimise the risk in blood management he should be listening to the experts and ensuring that assessments are carried out on the basis of risk not sexual orientation.

“There is a serious need for more blood donors and a lifetime ban for any section of our community that is not based on actual scientific evidence is discriminatory.

“Since the decision has not been taken on the basis of scientific evidence I must call into question the minister’s motivation on this issue which appears to be homophobia, not healthcare.”

Last week, UK health ministers announced that the rules would be relaxed in England, Wales and Scotland on November 7th – allowing gay and bisexual men to donate if they refrain from sex for 12 months.

But Northern Ireland is yet to make a decision on whether it will follow suit.

Gay rights group The Rainbow Project has written to Mr Poots to ask him to make his stance clear.

John O’Doherty, director of The Rainbow Project, said: “We welcome the move by the UK government to change the rules on MSM donating blood, however we feel they do not go far enough and can’t understand why once again Northern Ireland has been left out in the cold.

“There is no recognition within these changes for couples who are in long term relationships, only having sex with each other and therefore not at risk of HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.”

He pointed to a recent statement by John Dalli, the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, who said that while EU laws demand donation restriction on those at higher risk of HIV, sexual behaviour is not identical to sexual orientation.

Mr O’Docherty continued:”The LGB&T community in Northern Ireland should not have to rely on the courts and the EU to implement key changes on equality matters. The minister for health needs to make his intentions around these changes clear and this needs to be done immediately.

“Blood banks continue to struggle to meet demand in Northern Ireland and despite this, archaic legislation still exists banning some of the populations from donating blood.”

Mr Poots is considering whether Northern Ireland’s laws should come into line with the rest of Britain, his spokeswoman told the Belfast Telegraph.

The one-year deferral period for England, Wales and Scotland was chosen in part because of Hepatitis B, which disproportionately affects gay and bisexual men.

But gay rights campaigners said gay men would still be treated unfairly under the new rules, as heterosexuals engaged in higher risk sexual activity are not subject to the same restrictions.

The ban was put in place in the 1980s after the AIDS crisis, as gay and bisexual men have higher rates of HIV. Currently, any man who has ever had protected or unprotected oral or anal sex with another man cannot donate blood.

The government’s Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) has been examining the issue for the last 18 months.

Leonard Watters, 24, of Navan, Co Meath, initially claimed that 58-year-old Walsh had groped him at the Krystle nightclub in Dublin after a Westlife concert in June.

He appeared in court yesterday in Dublin and is facing two charges of lying to gardai.

He was charged in June with one court of making a false statement on June 20th and the second charge relates to a statement he made to gardai on June 27th.

Walsh, who was questioned by police over the claims, denied the allegations from the start, calling them “wholly false”.

Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera, who faces death threats for speaking out for LGBT rights in her home country, was invited to open the Foyle Pride Festival in Derry next week.

However, British authorities have denied her a visa, apparently over concerns about her financial status.

Foyle Pride chairwoman Shay Gillespie said: “Foyle Pride has invested heavily in bringing Kasha to Derry despite having a very limited budget and relying on donations and the support of local businesses, money and resources that will now be lost.

“I can’t understand why the UK is the only country to deny her entry and deny the opportunity for the people of Derry and Northern Ireland as a whole the chance to hear this inspirational woman speak.”

A petition has been set up to challenge the decision and Derry SDLP MLA Colum Eastwood is assisting with the campaign.

Ms Nabagesera, the founder of Freedom and Roam Uganda, recently received the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders.

Jim Allister, who represents Antrim North, says that Belfast Pride organisers should apologise for “offensive” signs at the event.

The politician, who leads Traditional Unionist Voice, told the Belfast Telegraph he has written to the police and Parades Commission about the placards.

Those he deemed offensive included messages such as ‘Jesus protect me from your followers’, and ‘Jesus had two dads (and he turned out just fine)’.

Mr Allister said: “I found the posters and gestures offensive.

“It was a perverse attempt to make an argument for gay adoption.

“After a blasphemous placard was carried in the parade previously, organisers gave assurances it would not happen again.

Meanwhile, religious group The Caleb Foundation claimed the march was “provocative, lewd and offensive”.

Belfast Pride spokesman Chris Love said: “A small number of individuals that may have infiltrated the parade were removed from proceedings.”

When asked whether these individuals were marchers or Christian protesters and whether Belfast Pride would comment on the placards, he said: “Unfortunately due to the large numbers involved with the Pride Parade on Saturday the Pride Committee cannot comment on individual cases.”

In 2007, the march sparked controversy and calls for it to be banned when one marcher carried a placard saying ‘Jesus is a fag’.

The event, held yesterday, was joined by politicians from all major parties – except the DUP.

Titled Pride on the Hill, it featured speakers from each party and was held at Stormont.

DUP assembly member Jim Wells reportedly told a Pride organiser that he would not take part in the “repugnant” event.

According to the Irish News, Mr Wells sent Pride organiser Simon Rea a text message which said: “Dear Mr Rea, I understand that you contacted my Kilkeel office regarding what is termed a ‘Belfast Pride’ debate.

“I find the behaviour of those who take part in this march repugnant. I do not wish to be associated in any way with this event.

“My position on this will not change in the future and I would politely suggest that any further requests of this nature will be a total waste of your time. Jim Wells.”

A DUP spokesman said: “Party headquarters only received a request for a participant in this debate on Thursday, 21st July. Given the busy schedule of our MLAs, such short notice did not enable us to supply a speaker on this occasion.”

The spokesman did not comment on Mr Well’s comments to Pride organisers.

The event, held by the Core Issues Group, featured David Pickup, an American speaker who says gay people can be turned straight.

The protesters gathered outside Belvoir Church of Ireland earlier today with placards bearing messages such as ‘your cure kills’.

Mr Pickup told the BBC: “I don’t cure anybody – The client always determines if there are root causes for homosexuality.

“I don’t force anybody or cure anybody – a client naturally spontaneously grows into his authentic heterosexual self.”

John O’Doherty, director of the Rainbow Project, responded: “It is the same ridiculous comments we have been hearing for 30 years that gay people are gay because they have had an overbearing mother and an absent father and quite often that they are sexual abuse cases.

“We are here to tell the people who are attending and the wider public that there is real therapy and real support here in Northern Ireland from a gay affirmative approach which will help people be the best person they can and also reinforce with them that being gay is not something to be ashamed of.”

Belvoir Church said it had nothing to do with the conference and occasionally allows other groups to use the space.

At its recent general assembly, The Kirk voted 351 to 294 to effectively end the ban on gay clergy.

The Reverend Dr Norman Hamilton, a Presbyterian who stood down on Monday as the Assembly’s moderator, had already said he sensed the more “liberal” option would be the ultimate choice accepted by Scottish delegates.

He added that the public opinion was expressed via the leader article in The Scotsman newspaper on Tuesday.

It stated: “It was a long and understandably passionate debate, but finally last night the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland voted to allow presbyteries across the country to choose gay or lesbian ministers.

“The vote among the commissioners to throw out the ban on gay clergy brought in two years ago was clear, 351 to 294, but showed how decisive the issue has been in the Kirk.”

However, the moderator of the Church of Scotland, the Reverend David Arnott, who is the main guest at the Belfast assembly this week, told his Irish counterparts yesterday that The Scotsman’s interpretation of the decision was not totally accurate.

He said that the issue had been the subject of wider theological debate among the Scottish presbyteries and that the church would have to re-visit the core issues under consideration.

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland are more traditional than the Church of Scotland on Biblical interpretations of homosexuality and there is no pressure within Irish Presbyterianism to adopt a more liberal position.

However, traditional opinions remain strong within the Scottish church also, and whatever decision The Kirk ultimately reaches is likely to split congregations across the country.

Dr Norman Hamilton said: “Those who are advocating this latter [liberal] position included one minister who spoke warmly of the contribution that bisexuals and those who are transgendered can make to Christian ministry, whilst another spoke of how the Bible had been shown up to be wrong in the past and that we now know better.

“The traditionalist view was articulated by many in The Kirk, and by every visiting delegate who spoke, myself included, and there is no doubt that many of those who hold this position in the Church of Scotland seemed seriously demoralised and deeply apprehensive about future.”

The Cage, owned by Barry McGonagle, opened in February but was only granted planning approval for expansion this week.

However, Mark Bradford, from the city’s Bethnal Baptist church claimed the application submitted by the owner was misleading. He told the Belfast Telegraph’s Donna Deeney: “There is no mention in the application for a dark room, a cinema or private cubicles but this is what is being advertised.”

He added: “While I and other ministers have quietly gathered over 400 signatures on a petition protesting against this place, I will not rule out taking our protests to the streets now and I will not stop until this carbuncle is removed from the city.”

Mr McGonagle also spoke to the Belfast Telegraph, saying he had no intention of moving his premises: “I know this is a first for the city and it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. I wasn’t expecting one hundred per cent of the people to be happy but I will not let this deter me.

“The customers that have already been here have been very complimentary and are glad that something like this is in Derry for gay and bisexual men.

He added that although there was a similar place in Belfast, there was nothing comparable in the north west.

In 2007, the DUP MP said he was “repulsed” by homosexuality and that it “harm[s] society”.

Speaking to the House magazine, Mr Paisley did not apologise for the remarks but said: “I have huge respect for people no matter what their religious and social background.”

When asked about the comments, he said: “I think I have grown up since then. I have strong Christian beliefs and moral viewpoints, but you have to realise that while sin is black and white, life is a lot of grey.

“You have to be mature about these things. I can strongly disagree with those viewpoints, but the point is how you disagree.”

Mr Paisley, the son of pastor Ian Sr, also said that his father had told him not to enter politics. He added that he has “no desire” to lead the DUP.

He also commented on Peter Robinson, the DUP leader and husband of homophobic former MP Iris. Mr Robinson lost his seat in last year’s election.

Mr Paisley said: “It has been a salient lesson to our leader and it affects how he has conducted himself, how he performs, and how he sees himself.”

In the 2007 magazine interview, he said: “I am pretty repulsed by gay and lesbianism. I think it is wrong. I think that those people harm themselves and – without caring about it – harm society.

“That doesn’t mean to say that I hate them. I mean, I hate what they do.”

A judge said that Christopher Brendan Thompson had been “establishing his straight credentials” when he pushed his face into the face of the man who touched him, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

Mr Thompson had been in Pepe’s bar and nightclub in the city last November. He claimed that another man reached out to touch his bottom as he was going outside for a cigarette and he reacted because the man was “ready to plant his lips on me.”

His solicitor Seamus Quigley said his client “had been “the victim of a sexual assault and he immediately turned around and rebutted that assault”.

He added: “He did so by pushing his face into the other man’s face. There was no blood, no injury, no bruising.”

The other man did not report the incident to police. Instead, an eyewitness contacted officers.

District Judge Barney McElholm said he accepted that Mr Thompson had been brushing the man off as footballers sometimes do.

He said the defendant had suffered an “initial assault” and the question was whether his response was proportionate.

“I accept it was proportionate in that I think Mr Thompson was establishing his straight credentials,” he said.

“It was not a case of him carrying out an assault, rather a brush-off.”