The Government's decision to lower the age of consent for homosexuals to 16 has met with mixed reaction from the people of Keighley and local clergy.

MPs voted in the Commons last week to give homosexuals the same rights as heterosexuals.

The decision has been welcomed by Keighley MP Ann Cryer. She says decisions about human relationships are far from simple, but fully supports the change in legislation. "I feel in all fairness to a vulnerable group of young men that I must come down on the side of change and equality before the law," she says. "To criminalise a particular group because of their age and sexual orientation cannot help them, nor can it bring credit to our system of criminal justice and those who administer it."

The Rev Gordon Webb, Superintendent Minister of the Keighley and Worth Valley Methodist Circuit, reiterates the view that this is a complex issue. Although he believes sexual relations should ideally be within the context of a heterosexual marriage, the Rev Webb admits he is concerned about the discriminatory nature of the law.

"We have to take into account the many people today who choose to pursue alternative lifestyles of which you or I might not approve, but we do not brand their conduct a criminal offence," he says.

"Equality before the law is fundamental to our understanding of justice and there should be no place in our legal system for discrimination against homosexuals."

The Rev Webb expresses concern about the way 16-year-olds are able to cope with the emotional complexities of sexual relationships, and the potential danger of predatory behaviour by older people. But he points out that these considerations also apply to heterosexual teenagers.

Michelle Thompson, 29, from Keighley, was positive. She said: "I definitely think it's the right thing - it should have been done a long time ago. They've as much right as anyone else."

This view was supported by Dan Bethal, 22, who works in sales and marketing for Majestic Wines. "It's alright, to be honest," he said. "Basically I don't see why homosexuals shouldn't have the same rights as others. If you're in a heterosexual relationship you can have sex at 16, so why not for homosexuals?"

Others believed that individual choice was the key issue, such as Mrs Laycock, 32, a mother of two boys. "If it's one age for one particular group then it should be the same for others," she said.

But not all were so keen on the cecision.

Brian Brett, 39, a security guard at the Airedale Centre, said: "I disapprove altogether. Things today are too forward."

Mr Butterfield, a pensioner from Keighley, agreed: "It's disgusting, that's what I think."

I don't think it should have happened at all."

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