Father Chris is known for his work as an activist and stand up comedian.
Camera IconFather Chris is known for his work as an activist and stand up comedian. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Priest ‘verbally abused’ after Perth rally

Sarah BrookesEastern Reporter

OUTSPOKEN priest Chris Bedding has posted a video of a stranger in the street verbally abusing him following a rally calling on the Federal Government to scrap religious exemptions from anti-discrimination laws.

In the video the man refuses to move on and says, “there are people round there who would cut your throat. Religious people who would cut your throat.”

Father Chris, known for his work as an activist and stand up comedian, said the man’s behaviour was extremely threatening.

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“I was sitting in Forrest Place, having just spoken at a rally about discrimination towards LGBTI+ people,” he said.

“I was wearing my rainbow scarf, and sitting with someone else wearing a rainbow scarf.

“This gentleman approached me to ask me a question, which I answered as politely as I could.

“His demeanour then changed, and he began raising his voice and speaking aggressively.

“I explained that I found his behaviour threatening, and asked him to move away.

“After a while I started to film him, because I felt that he was really out of line.

“As if we needed any more evidence of discrimination in this country, when you can’t sit in a public place without being verbally abused.”

Father Chris, who’s based at St Cuthbert’s Church in Darlington, said the new laws could see organisations owned by religious groups, such as schools, hospitals and aged care facilities, allowed to legally expel students and fire staff on the grounds of sexual orientation, trans status or marital status.

“A small group of religious people want to ensure that when a gay student is nominated as school captain they can quietly withdraw the nomination and not be held accountable for that,” he said.

“A small group of people want to be able to lean on a trans-student and say I think it would be better if you go to another school because we don’t want you here.

“I call on our federal parliamentarians to reject this absurd new law.

“If you are taking government money to build your enormous schools, to run your multi-million dollar social services agency you don’t get to take that money and use my faith as an excuse to reject people on the basis of their identity.”