From Iceland — PM Not Bothered By Homophobic Remarks

PM Not Bothered By Homophobic Remarks

Published September 10, 2010

Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir told reporters that homophobic remarks made by a Faeroese MP did nothing to cast a shadow on her visit to the country.
As reported, Jenis av Rana, chairman of the Christian Centrist Party of the Faeroe Islands, told Faeroese media that for Jóhanna to come to the Faeroe Islands with her wife was “a defiance of the Bible.” He added furthermore that he would not dine with Jóhanna, because “to do so would be to show acceptance of gay marriage, which is against the platform of the Centrist party.”
However, the remarks do not seem to have bothered Jóhanna, as Vísir reports her telling the press that Jenis’ comments didn’t damper her first official visit to the country, and that many Faeroese politicians expressed regret at his statements.
She added that she found it regrettable that human rights should be trampled upon in this way, but said that she hoped her arrival in the country will lead to a positive and open discussion which will change things for the better.

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