Will Belarus opposition leaders share a Brussels hotel room with a homosexual?
Zmicier Lukashuk, Euroradio
8 June 2016, 21:01
Ex-presidential candidate and deputy chair of the Belarusian Popular Front Party Ryhor Kastusyou suddenly reflects on Christian principles: "Here we have a complicated question: to what extent can someone who recognizes Christian principles can be gay? Party membership criteria are as follows: recognition of the party manifesto and the statutes...”
OK, it is clear with the party membership. But what about the situations when they have to go on a business trip together with a gay colleague and probably shate a hotel room?
"No problem!" respond Anatol Lyabedzka and Andrei Dzmitryeu. But why would they need to add immeditately that never share hotel rooms with anyone?
Ryhor Kastusyou and Aleh Haydukevich warn that just in case... they are ready to protect their dignity.
Only Pavel Seviarynets is strict: this is sin.
8 June 2016, 21:01
Pavel Seviarynets, co-chair of the unregistered political party Belarusian Christian Democracy considers homosexuality a disease. He has the right for his opinion out of respect for the freedom of expression. Seviarynets, being a leader of the political structure, told Marharyta Taraykevich, a Belarusian Christian Democracy member, to leave the ranks of the party for not sharing "Christian views."
What will be the reaction of pro-democracy political leaders to a homosexual being a party member?
United Civil Party (UCP) leader Anatol Lyabedzka claims sexual orientation has no influence. "To paraphrase Pope Francis, who am I to comment on this?" Lyabedzka responds with a question.
"I don't think he will have a problem due to his [sexual] orientation," Fair World party leader Siarhei Kaliakin reassures me and notes that decisions on membership are made at the grassroots level - not by the party leader.
Ex-presidential candidate and deputy chair of the Belarusian Popular Front Party Ryhor Kastusyou suddenly reflects on Christian principles: "Here we have a complicated question: to what extent can someone who recognizes Christian principles can be gay? Party membership criteria are as follows: recognition of the party manifesto and the statutes...”
OK, it is clear with the party membership. But what about the situations when they have to go on a business trip together with a gay colleague and probably shate a hotel room?
"No problem!" respond Anatol Lyabedzka and Andrei Dzmitryeu. But why would they need to add immeditately that never share hotel rooms with anyone?
“I am a self-sufficient person. I can afford living a single room when needed!” Dzmitryeu gets angry.
Ryhor Kastusyou and Aleh Haydukevich warn that just in case... they are ready to protect their dignity.
Aleh Haydukevich: “I will never behave in such a way that I turn away from those people. This is not right. They are people, expecially, when they are Belarusians. If there is no place to live in, I will live with them. Don't worry - he will not do anything to me! Everything will be okay. I will have enough possibilities to defend myself.”
Only Pavel Seviarynets is strict: this is sin.
Seviarynets: “A person who feels himself homosexual can come to churh and repent and struggle with this sin. Such a person is getting closer to sanctity and in my eye he is a hero despite having this issue. He struggles and follows his path to Christ. But when he comes to the party ans says: "I am gay and I think it is normal. I feel proud and think this should be a norm for our society," he will not be allowed in this case. This contradicts the Christian faith and the manifesto of Belarusian Christian Democracy. Such a person cannot be a member of our party!”
