Speaking recently at the United Nation's launch of its "Free & Equal" campaign to promote fair treatment of LGBT persons, former archbishop and South African anti-apartheid activist Desmond Tutu declared that the issue was so close to his heart that he "would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven" and instead choose "the other place." The 1984 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former head of the South African Anglican Church and South African Council of Churches made the remarks last Friday, July 26, during the press event in his home country, where same-sex marriage is legal but where views remain antagonistic toward homosexuals.
Calling for greater protections for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender persons, Archbishop Emeritus Tutu, 81, said, "I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven. No, I would say sorry, I mean I would much rather go to the other place." He added, "I would not worship a God who is homophobic and that is how deeply I feel about this."
Tutu went on to compare his advocacy for LGBT persons to his fight against apartheid, saying, "I am as passionate about this campaign as I ever was about apartheid. For me, it is at the same level." A video recording of Tutu's partial remarks can be viewed on YouTube.