Last month, as I’m sure everyone remembers, there was a bit of a carry-on regarding Revd. Scott Rennie and his future in the Church of Scotland. Some conservative elements of the Kirk (and a whole lot more conservative churches outside it) decided that because he was gay, Revd. Rennie was unable to continue in the job he’d been doing so well. This despite the fact that his congregation in the Queen’s Cross parish of Aberdeen supported him; the very basis of presbytarianism.

So far, so unpleasant. But then Kieran found out that the Westboro Baptist Church (of “God Hates Fags” fame) had promised to picket the General Assembly as the Reverend’s fate was decided. That, we decided, just wouldn’t do. We made up our minds to counter-protest in favour of Scott Rennie.

Bearing in mind that we only had 6 days notice, I think the next part is quite impressive. We set up a facebook event, which the exec and our friends all posted on our feeds. This was quickly picked up by LGBT groups across the country, who passed it around even more. The numbers attending just kept growing.

On the morning before the protest (scheduled for 5:30) Kieran and I went to Homebase and bought everything which could conceivably be used to make placards. How we managed to fit all that bamboo into the car I don’t know, but if you ever need placards made he has the best blueprints. Seriously, these were some kick-ass placards. When made, we bundled them into the car once again and headed off for the general assembly. After meeting a few early birds and having a surprisingly friendly chat with the police, we settled down to wait for the rest of the 40 people who might be coming.

About an hour later there were over 100 of us standing on the mound, across from 13 dreary looking homophobic protestors from the Zion Baptist Church. It was just fantastic. We talk a lot about young people being intrinsically liberal – well, here was proof.

In the finish up, the Kirk allowed Revd. Rennie to keep his job, and although they imposed a 2-year moratorium on new LGBT reverends I’m inclined to see it as a good first step. And the Westboro Baptist Church? They didn’t even manage to get there.

That’s a fairly self-indulgent trip through our protest. Thanks to everyone who came, but in particular Kieran for all the work he did in organising it and Callum for taking the placards away at the end! Kudos as well to Stephen for the wonderful write-up and the wonderful Siobhan Mathers for getting the media to take an interest.

Pictures are in order, I think. Thanks to James Harrison for taking these:

Tom Maidwell, Hon. President of LYS

Us from the back. This still doesn't give a full picture of the scale of the protest...