A Christian publisher says she had to cancel the launch of a book which claims Jesus can cure homosexuality because of a planned protest by gay rights activists.
Eileen Mohr, who owns Crossbridge Books, said that a hotel in Worcester refused to host the launch after learning of the demonstration.
Where is your brother?’, by Canadian author Marion Heath, is being published in the UK and tells the story of a gay couple who split up when one has a “dramatic” religious experience.
A “peaceful protest” was planned for Saturday’s launch and was advertised online.
Ms Mohr said it was an “attack on free speech”, BBC News reports.
“It’s a novel, it’s fiction and it isn’t offensive because a lot of these men have been corrupted and led astray into their lifestyle,” she said.
“I think they are of course misguided in protesting because what they don’t like is the idea Jesus can heal people of their homosexuality – but it is actually possible.”
Speaking last month, David Allison of gay pressure group OutRage! told PinkNews.co.uk: “Frankly, this is the latest of a number of books written by people who can’t get it into their thick skulls that being gay is not an illness, an ailment or something to cure.
“Christians in particular are worried as science moves towards seeing being gay as a genetic thing – they are running out of ammunition.
“If science says this, Christians cannot say ‘you are evil’ because it’s something you’re born with, like your skin colour.
“It’s just nonsense. The book will have its moment of fame and then disappear into the remainder shelves in the bookshop.
“Most people have finally got the message that being gay is like having blue eyes or brown hair – it’s something you can’t change.”