Hertsmere’s new mayor Rabbi Alan Plancey has faced calls to apologise for the “hurt and pain” caused by his remarks about same-sex relationships.
The former Borehamwood and Elstree shul rabbi drew accusations of homophobia in 2014 over his views on the LGBT+ community as expressed in a Jewish News video interview – opinions that he refused to retract in a BBC interview last week.
In the 2014 clip, he insisted that homosexuality and lesbianism were against “Jewish law" and that while he could respect the community, he could not accept its “actions as permitted”.
He also criticised LGBT demonstrations in their call for greater tolerance. “You get more acceptance and you get more love if you do it quietly and unobtrusively,” he said.
Rabbi Plancey, who was appointed mayor last Wednesday, stood by the 2014 comments during a recent interview with BBC Three Counties Radio.
“There was nothing in that video which was controversial,” he told the radio programme last week, denying accusations of homophobia and insisting all he did was “quote the Torah.”
He added that he believed in equality but did not like “demonstrations.”
“I don’t like people coming out, putting up flags because they are more important than anybody else. They are not. They are equal. We should all be living the same life together, equal.”
A regional LGBT+ Labour society called on Rabbi Plancey to retract his comments and apologise “for the hurt and pain he has caused so many.”
Ella Rose and Oli Kasin, co-chairs of LGBT+ Labour London, issued a statement on Thursday. “As two LGBT+ Jews, we know the damage this does to those in our community who are not yet out.
“This is especially concerning given the Mayor’s seat in education and young people’s Committees on the council,” they said.
“In 2020 there are no excuses for homophobia. Equal rights and acceptance have never been given to LGBT+ people, they have been loudly demanded and hard fought for.
“Any ideas that the LGBT+ community should hide in shame have no place in this country or century,” they added.
