Equality campaigners have praised a group of school pupils for taking action on their school chaplain over his views on same-sex marriage.
The Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) campaign said it was “refreshing” to see young people working to make their school more inclusive.
The pupils from Carnoustie High School in Angus have set up a petition calling for the school to break ties with its chaplain, the Rev Mike Goss, who has previously spoken out against same-sex relationships and marriage.
Mr Goss, minister of Barry Parish Church, said he was “very disappointed” with the petition, which accuses him of being against gay marriage and claims he has stated his opposition to the LGBT community “on multiple occasions”.
He has offered to meet with the LGBT community at the school to discussed their concerns.
Jordan Daly, co-founder of the TIE campaign, said the petition demonstrated the strength of feeling among Scotland’s young people on LGBT equality.
He said: “It is refreshing to see a group of students taking direct action while seeking to make their school a more inclusive environment for its LGBT learners, parents and carers.
“This petition is indicative of an emergent phenomenon whereby young people, across Scotland, are feeling detached from and displaced by traditional religious institutions due to the perceived conflict between having faith and supporting LGBT equality.
“Many young people, who have LGBT friends or family members, simply cannot relate to nor comprehend traditional religious doctrine which tells them that same-sex love is “unnatural” and “sinful”.
“This is why it is so crucial that faith leaders, such as those from across the religious spectrum who have endorsed our campaign for LGBT education in schools, are vocal about their support for diversity and equality.
“It is encouraging that Mr Goss has indicated his willingness to sit down with the Inclusion and Equality Group, we would hope that this is sooner rafter than later and that Mr Goss can perhaps become a figure of support to the LGBT community at Carnoustie High School.”
Mr Goss opened a formal protest over the Church of Scotland’s move to back same-sex marriages in 2016.
He also gave an interview to BBC Scotland last year where he stated that “same-sex relationships are not what God has planned for us as human beings”.
The student campaigners claim it is “appalling” that the school, which set up an Inclusion and Equality Group last year to raise awareness of LGBT rights, has not cut its ties with Mr Goss.
Mr Goss described the petition as a “tissue of lies” and said the allegations were “potentially actionable”.
He said: “I am certainly very disappointed to see this petition appear on social media, as I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy good relationships with the High School and both primary schools where I am chaplain.
“School chaplaincy is a voluntary provision by church ministers which depends on the invitation of the schools themselves, and I have always treasured these links with the local community and any support that I can provide to staff and pupils, sometimes in difficult situations, regardless of their race, faith or gender.
“I have never ever said that I hate any member of the LGBT community, nor do I hate anyone, as far as I am able to determine my own heart.
“I met with members of the school inclusion group last June to discuss their concerns.
“I would be happy to do so again.”
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