Band Whom By Fire have spoken out on their anguish after having a gig cancelled at a local church.
It comes after a band member questioned the “sexualisation of children in schools” and a book reading at Southend Pride by an author who “reportedly advocates paedophilia”.
After claiming to have been removed from the Leigh Folk Festival billing in June, their cancellations appear to be ramping up with St Mark’s Church in Southend cancelling a gig that was scheduled to take place on November 4th.
The event was cancelled after the band appeared on a GB News interview in July.
GB NEWS
According to the band, it comes as part of the church’s bid to “fight against discrimination”.
The band claim the church told them that the gig was shut down as it “seemed that the same anti-queer stories were still being supported”.
Nathan Doucette was on the same bill
GB NEWS
Speaking on GB News, band member Elyza Mells said the treatment afforded to them is “not the God I’m used to” as she spoke out on her religious upbringing.
Dan Halamandres spoke told Andrew Doyle why “they weren’t going to be welcome” at Leigh Folk Festival, saying: “I raised a particular concern about a book reading Southend Pride were advocating.
“It wasn’t an 18+ event. I thought it was a fair thing to raise.”
He went on to quip that the band’s cancellation from the festival was due to their “inclusive” values.
Speaking out on their church show cancellation, Mells said “they are making complaints”.
“We are going to be in communication with the Church quite heavily on this matter.
“I was brought up a Christian, so the fact this has happened by a Church is not the God I’m used to.”
Singer, songwriter and promoter Nathan Doucette, who was on the same billing as the band also hit out at the church’s decision, saying: “It angers me”.
“We’re now excluding people under this guise of including people”, they added.
“For the Church to do that, it says a lot.”
GB News have contacted St Mark’s Church for comment.
