Evangelist priest censures advocates of LGBT rights

Vasile Filat, the pastor of the Chisinau-based Holy Trinity Evangelist Church, and two other persons who described themselves as representatives of the civil society, have demanded on Monday, May 12, at a press conference held on behalf of a protest group called the “Family March”, the suspension of any activity within the Non-discrimination Coalition of Moldova's largest LGBT advocacy organization “Gender Doc-M”, which, according to them, is promoting sin. According to Sergiu Filat, member of the National Taekwondo Federation, outlawing Gender Doc-M is necessary because it defies the moral values of the nation, the Constitution of the country and the Christian faith which is shared by the majority of believers in Moldova. The non-discrimination bill prepared by the Non-discrimination Coalition bears severe attacks against the Constitution, the pastor pointed out. According to those attending the conference, the anti-gay rally called the Family March, which took place on May 11 in the capital, was a voice of those who promote healthy family values. At another news conference, GenderDoc-M president Alexei Marcicov explained the non-discrimination bill was being prepared not just for the sexual minorities, but for the whole society, regardless of the sexual orientation. He went on to add that the Coalition is not led by GenderDoc-M alone. The Non-discrimination Coalition consists of a host of human rights defenders like the League for the Defense of Human Rights, the National Youth Council, Gender Doc-M, the National Roma Center.