Gay vicar resigns after ‘witch-hunt’ -

 

A gay vicar has resigned after pictures that emerged of him dressed in drag at a ‘tarts and vicars’ charity event led to what family members describe as a “witch-hunt” against him. Reports the UK’s Pink Paper.

As reported by The Telegraph, Rev. Martin Wray, 59, of South Shields on Tyneside donned gold tights, a wig and high heels for the event at the Steamboat pub to raise funds for mental health charity Arts4Wellbeing and St Lawrence’s church last August.

Despite support for the vicar on the night, parishioners complained after pictures of the vicar in the fancy dress outfit were published in a local newspaper, and the priest has since been on sick leave.

Rev. Wray, who had been at St Lawrence’s’ church for five years, entered into a civil union with his partner Lee Lovely last May and had since allegedly suffered verbal abuse - including an answer phone message calling him a “pervert” - according to his sister Janet Bridges. Bridges also believes the furore over the images was an excuse to oust the vicar over his sexuality.

Gay vicar resigns after claims of a ‘witch-hunt’ - PinkPaper.com