‘Gay sex orgy’ sculpture causes outrage in US town

A US pastor has slammed a contemporary sculpture unveiled last month, claiming it depicts a gay sex orgy even though the figures are sexless.

Local pastor Rick Strawcutter in particular was outraged at the new sculpture erected in Michigan, called Human Blue Condition by artist Mark Chatterley.

It was unveiled on 21 April and placed next to the city commission chambers in the town of Adrian, Michigan.

The sculpture was removed shortly after, after several residents complained about what they perceived to be a sexual nature of the figures.

Strawcutter uploaded a video to YouTube to vent his anger about such a sculpture being on public display.

In the video, entitled ‘Adrian City Commission Is Leading Us to Sodom’, he not only attacks the sculpture, but also attacks the city commission for voting in favour of equal rights for LGBT people, who he says are ‘an abomination.’

The figures are sexless and are all leaning on or supporting one another but Strawcutter assumes they are all men and engaged in various forms of sex acts.

‘Everyone I know who sees this just feels like it is in itself an abomination’ he said.

Making various references to Sodom and Gomorrah, the Bible and God he also attacked what he called ‘the gay agenda.’

‘The vast majority of people in this community, as in most communities, do not support the gay agenda’ he said.

Artist Chatterley spoke to the Huffington Post about his piece and what it represents.

‘Living today, we can’t do it alone — we rely on other people… to try to survive’ he said.

Support for the artist and the statue is evident as an online petition sprung up in order to stop the town from censoring or removing the sculpture.

However, the sculpture was moved to Yew Park, as it was considered there would be less traffic and pedestrians.

‘I am really disappointed by the decision made to remove the piece, there is nothing sexual about the piece’ said Chatterley.