When Barclays Bank closed the bank account of The Core Issues Trust and The International Federation for Therapeutic and Counseling Choice (IFTCC), reportedly due to pressure from LGBT activists, the charity organized a protest outside their London headquarters. The IFTCC is a Christian ministry that offers counseling to individuals who are grappling with their sexuality or gender identity. Barclays Bank closed the IFTCC’s account in 2020, and at that time, the bank acted as the headline sponsor of the London LGBT pride event. The reason for the account closure was not explicitly stated by the bank. In response to the closure, the Christian charity held a peaceful demonstration outside the bank’s headquarters in Canary Wharf. According to reports, Barclays has now consented to pay $25,221 (£20,000) in compensation and also legal costs to the charity.
Christian Headlines reports:
A Christian charity held a protest outside the London headquarters of Barclays Bank on Thursday after the bank closed the charity’s account due to pressure from LGBT activists.
The Core Issues Trust and The International Federation for Therapeutic and Counseling Choice (IFTCC), a Christian ministry that counsels people struggling with their sexuality or gender identity, arranged the peaceful demonstration in London’s Canary Wharf.
In 2020, Barclays Bank closed the IFTCC’s account without giving a reason. At the time, the bank was the headline sponsor of the London LGBT pride event.
The bank account was closed at the same time the charity’s founder, Dr. Mike Davidson, received several harassing calls and messages, including one text where the sender wished Davidson and his staff would be raped or killed.
According to The Christian Post, Barclays agreed to pay The Core Issues Trust $25,221 (£20,000) in compensation plus legal costs.
Still, The Core Issues Trust, the IFTCC and members of the ex-gay community gathered outside Barclay’s HQ on Thursday to demonstrate against “viewpoint discrimination.”
The protesters also delivered a petition with over 72,000 signatures to Barclays’ CEO, Matt Hammerstein, calling for the organization’s bank account to be reinstated.
“We want Barclays to acknowledge that in our world of competing ideologies, those who change their minds and go in new directions more consistent with their own goals should be protected and have the right to seek life goals meaningful to them,” Davidson said ahead of the protest.
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