A CONTROVERSIAL preacher who described homosexuality as an “abomination” is set to perform at the Hydro four years after he was previously banned.
Evangelist Franklin Graham will bring the God Loves You tour to Glasgow this Saturday, June 22, after his previous attempt to perform at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) was cancelled in 2020.
Graham’s performance at the venue four years ago was called off due to “adverse publicity” after a huge public outcry over the preacher's right-wing views.
At the time Patrick Harvie, the Scottish Greens co-leader, condemned the concert as he said: “Franklin Graham is a hate preacher who peddles bile and prejudice.”
The 71-year-old American, son of the Rev Billy Graham, is an outspoken supporter of former US President Donald Trump and has been heavily criticised for his views on gay rights and Islam.
On the Hydro’s website it describes the show as “a personal message of hope” and that people can “enjoy an exciting evening” of live music with the controversial preacher.
In 2020 the event by Graham was cancelled due to security concerns and the likelihood of a protest being held outside the venue, but a judge later ruled the SEC had breached the Equality Act by failing to honour his booking.
The preacher was awarded £100,000 in damages.
Graham has previously said: “Homosexuality is defined by God as sin, an abomination to Him,” and that the Bible defines homosexuality as “something to be repentant of, not something to be flaunted, praised or politicised”.
He has also previously praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for “protecting children from any homosexual agenda or propaganda”.
When asked about people in same-sex marriages during an interview with the BBC he said: “I love them enough to warn them that this is sin, and there are consequences to sin.”
Rebecca Don Kennedy, CEO of the LGBTI charity Equality Network, had said at the time: “Having him share his views on homosexuality on one of our biggest stages is upsetting.”
SNP council leader Susan Aitken had also warned in 2020 that Graham expressed views which could have “fundamentally breached the council’s statutory equalities duties”.
Venues in Sheffield and Liverpool also pulled out of hosting Graham's events four years ago.
In response to The National's story about Graham performing on Saturday, he said: “I am looking forward to preaching in Glasgow at the OVO Hydro on Saturday and sharing the message that God loves the people of Scotland—there’s nothing unlawful or hateful about that.
“For those who want to protest—you are welcome. Come hear what I have to say!
“I want you to know that God cares about you and how you can have a relationship with Him.”
He added: “Regarding the accusations, these are the same talking points my critics have used for years and they couldn’t be more wrong.
“I don’t preach against anyone.
“In our dispute with the Scottish Event Campus, Sheriff John McCormick evaluated the statements that I have made, and considered whether the cancelation of this event could be justified based on things that I have said.
“In his ruling, he determined that we had been unlawfully discriminated against and that my statements were not hateful.”
