‘Ignorance, cowardice and abuse of privilege’: Millicent Baptist Church called out over ‘homophobic’ letter

A council has come out in support of LGBTIQA+ people after leaders from a rural church sparked outrage over a ‘homophobic’ letter asking local government to stop flying the rainbow flag.

Wattle Range Council elected members have come out in strong support of the LGBTIQA+ community after the Millicent Baptist Church sparked widespread backlash when it petitioned council to cease flying the rainbow flag.

In a letter tabled at Tuesday night’s meeting, council was asked by the Millicent Baptist Church to cease “promoting alternative sexual lifestyles”.

Ahead of the meeting members of Limestone Coast Connect, an LGBTIQA+ organisation based in the South East, tabled a letter of their own to Wattle Range in response to the “regressive” and homophobic” Church letter.

LLC Chair Patrick Smith slammed the church and said the letter sent a clear message.

“We call out the Millicent Baptist Church on their ignorance, cowardice and abuse of privilege in regard to their outright homophobic request,” he said.

“The actions of the Millicent Baptist Church’s leadership — has loudly and visibly signalled to any LGBTIQA+ member of their congregation — you are not welcome here.”

Limestone Coast Connect Chair Patrick Smith. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Mayor Des Noll said he respected and valued the Christian values of the Baptist Church but stood in strong support of the LGBTIQA+ community.

“I’m accepting and respectful to all people regardless of their background, unconditionally,” he said.

“I stand alongside and support the LGBTIQA+ community and recognise them.”

Deputy Mayor Peter Dunnicliff told the meeting he was “disappointed” by the church’s letter, which he said was both “negative” and made it sound as if “council had initiated the process” to fly the rainbow flag.

In its letter, the Millicent Baptist Church said “council should not be in the business of promoting alternative sexual lifestyles”.

“We are of the opinion that it is not the business of Local Council to be flying non-government flags,” it read.

“If non-government flags are to be flown then why isn’t the tricolour disability flag flown — arguably other flags could be flown.”

Mr Dunnicliff said the decision to fly the pride flag for a week last November came after the LLC made a request to council, adding that any group was free to make a similar request.

“If these people have written to council with a request for council support — I’m sure council would have looked upon it favourably,” he said.

A letter from the Millicent Baptist Church calling on Wattle Range Council to cease flying the Pride flag. Picture: Supplied

The church has sparked outraged among the LGBTIQA+ community for its regressive stance on Wattle Range Council flying a pride flag. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Councillor John Drew said he was disappointed with both the media coverage and online comments around the issue and said there needed to be greater tolerance of differing opinions.

“I believe it’s very important that this council is very willing to listen to people’s different views,” he said.

“The key point is that anyone who writes to this council respectfully, as both of these groups have — we should listen to them.”

Following the meeting, LLC deputy chair Di Ind said she was pleased with the level of support seen from the elected members.

“I’ve been a personal advocate for our rights for over 30 years and I’m very proud of Wattle Range Council taking a leadership role for a number of years now in flying our flag,” she said.

The Millicent Baptist Church has refused to comment publicly on the letter.