IKEA Singapore refuses to cut ties with anti-gay pastor
IKEA Singapore has refused to cut ties with an anti-gay pastor, after coming under fire for providing a discount to his Christian magic show.
The Swedish furniture chain had offered customers in the country discount tickets to a show from Lawrence Khong, the Senior Pastor of Faith Community Baptist Church.
Mr Khong has claimed that gay people have “a shorter lifespan, more sexually transmitted infections and more health problems than the general population” and has warned of a “looming threat” of “homosexual activists” trying to repeal sodomy laws.
Many customers had threatened to boycott IKEA, after it provided Family Card holders with discount tickets to his Christian magic show, ‘Vision’.
In a statement, the chain said it would not be cutting ties with the pastor.
IKEA said: “Dear IKEA fans, thanks for your patience while we took time to come to an informed decision on an issue that has raised sensitivities in our community.
“After listening to the questions raised, we decided to do a thorough review. We spoke directly with the organisers, reviewed the content and confirmed that the Vision show offers high family entertainment value, therefore we will be continuing our promotion.
“We regularly offer promotions to our IKEA FAMILY members across a variety of entertainment options, and in this case, our IKEA FAMILY members were being offered a discount on tickets to the show.
“As a company, IKEA Singapore respects the diversity and equality of all people living in our community. We also respect that all individuals have a right to their opinions and personal choices, including the freedom to choose their preferred entertainment.”
