2 November 2007

THE HAGUE – Members of the ChristenUnie are not denied leadership positions in the party because of their sexual orientation. The discussion at the upcoming party conference should focus on the Christian way of life and the question of what elements of that can be put to paper.

In that regard homosexuals and heterosexuals are subject to the exact same treatment in the CU.

A spokesperson for the ChristenUnie said this on Friday in response to the commotion that arose over a motion that Amsterdam municipal district council member Yvette Lont plans to submit at the conference. Lont reportedly wants to block homosexuals from holding leadership positions in the party.

The matter has provoked a great deal of indignation outside the ChristenUnie. D66 MP Boris van der Ham has submitted written questions to Home Affairs Minister Guusje ter Horst. He wants to know whether discrimination against homosexuals can be grounds to stop the government subsidy to the ChristenUnie, as happened in the past with the SGP because of their subordination of women.

The Liberal VVD faction in Amsterdam-Zuidoost plans to file a report against Lont for inciting discrimination.

[Copyright Expatica News + ANP 2007]

Subject: Dutch news