THE Religious Community yesterday condemned the gay 'wedding' that took place in Georgetown on Sunday and declared that it would collectively resist any attempt at the institutionalizing of same sex marriage.
The comment comes on the heels of a wedding of gays that created a stir in the Botanical Gardens when the "couple" turned up to take pictures, and that has become the hottest topic in the country.
President of the Guyana Council of Churches, Bishop Juan Edghill, said yesterday he wasn't aware that a 'gay wedding' had taken place.
"First of all there has been no gay wedding in Guyana," he told the Guyana Chronicle. "We do not know under any law or statue where the Guyana Registrar's Office can issue license for a gay wedding."
Commenting on what occurred on Sunday, Bishop Edghill said that whatever transpired was "entertainment" to get some attention.
The Guyana Council of Churches, the entire Christian Community, the Inter Religious Organization and the entire Religious Community condemn and stand ready to resist any attempt at the institutionalizing of same sex marriage in Guyana, the Bishop declared.
"We recognize marriage a union between a man and a woman, and no publicity stunt will force the leaders of faith into a corner into accepting what is obviously an abomination, "Bishop Edghill added.
"Having said that, we stand ready to help individuals in society who are battling with their sexuality in counseling and help," he added.
Guyana Chronicle was informed by a GRO spokesman Sunday evening that the marriage was illegal, as no license was granted for its consummation.
The spokesman also warned any legitimate marriage officer who married the couple risked having his marriage license revoked.
Gays have been clamoring for Parliament to pass a Bill authorizing same-sex marriage, but the National Assembly has so far rejected the lobby.
The pandemonium that broke out at the Botanical Gardens when the "bride" and "groom" drove in to take photographs at the Kissing Bridge and Place of Seven Ponds, was preceded at the 'wedding' house in West Ruimveldt when Otis Pearson, now known by his gay name "Otisha," was shot by an angry pistol-whipping man before the wedding ceremony took place.
The unidentified man reportedly aimed at the house and fired, hitting "Otisha" in the chest. But the incident merely delayed the proceedings.