Family Of Canadian Gay Hostage In Iraq Kept Sexuality Secret Out Of Reprisal Fears
by The Canadian Press
March 27, 2006 - 5:00 pm ET

(Toronto, Ontario) The co-director of the Christian Peacemakers Teams says the family of freed Christian peace activist James Loney kept his sexual orientation quiet out of fear for his safety.
Doug Pritchard says the family feared Loney might come to harm at the hands of his Iraqi captors had they known he was gay.

Pritchard says it likely wouldn't have helped if Loney's partner, Dan Hunt, had come forward with public pleas for his release.

Hunt made his first public appearance since Loney's ordeal began last November when he greeted his partner Sunday at the airport.

Loney arrived in Toronto after he and two other peace activists were rescued by coalition soldiers in Iraq.

The 41-year-old Loney was kidnapped in Baghdad along with fellow Canadian Harmeet Sooden, Briton Norm Kember and American Tom Fox, whose bullet-ridden body was found earlier this month.

Loney is expected to travel to his hometown of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., where red ribbons decorate the trees and store and restaurant owners have posted welcome-home messages in their windows.

In the city of 75,000, signs reading, ``Prayers Answered _ Welcome Home James'' were to decorate several city buildings. At the Civic Centre, a message book was waiting for well-wishers to leave Loney a personal greeting.

The Sault Star also published a full-page color photograph of Loney for residents to post in their windows ``so that Jim, his parents Claudette and Patrick, and other family members see the joy of an entire community as he arrives home.''

Loney's parents have kept a low profile since their son's arrival back in Canada, and so far no one is saying exactly when he's expected to arrive in Sault Ste. Marie.

© www.365Gay.com 2006