Hundreds of Christians have held a candlelit protest against a taxpayer-funded Glasgow play which portrays Jesus as a transsexual.
Jesus, Queen of Heaven is part of the Glasgay! festival in Scotland, and is advertised as: “Jesus is a transsexual woman. And it is now she walks the earth.
“This is a play with music that presents her sayings, her miracles, and her testimony.”
Around 300 Christians stood outside Glasgow’s Tron Theatre holding placards reading “Jesus, King of Kings, Not Queen of Heaven”.
Reports say about 20 people were in the audience for the play.
One protestor, Jayne Richardson of Zion Baptist Church, said: “Jesus is our saviour and the Son of God and there is no doubt that he came to this earth as a man.”
After the play was announced The Christian Institute’s Simon Calvert said in August: “If Glasgow’s council taxpayers were consulted, I doubt they would consider this was a good use of their money.
“What with this and the Bible defacing exhibit, you have to wonder what is the next outrage Glasgow City Council has planned.”
Writing on the Daily Telegraph website yesterday commentator Damian Thompson pointed out that Glasgay! received public money to produce a play which was bound to upset Christians and then, when Christians did protest, Glasgay! claimed the protest was homophobic.
Publicity material for the Jesus, Queen of Heaven play shows the writer and lead performer – transsexual actor Jo (formerly John) Clifford – posing as Christ with crucifixion wounds and a halo.
Steven Thomson, a Glasgay! producer, said: “Jesus Queen of Heaven is a literary work of fiction exploring the artist’s own personal journey of faith as a transgender person.
“Glasgay! supports the right to freedom of expression and offers audiences a diverse view of LGBT life. This work is not intended to incite or offend anyone of any belief system. However, we respect your right to disagree with that opinion.
“We welcome genuinely interested audience members who wish to understand the artistic intention behind this work.”