Arthur Gore, 8th Earl of Arran He also sponsored a bill for the protection of badgers, and was once asked why this effort had failed whereas decriminalising homosexuality had succeeded. Arran is reported to have replied: "There are not many badgers in the House of Lords." Arthur Gore, 8th Earl of Arran Arthur Gore, 8th Earl of Arran (5 July 1910 – 23 February 1983) was a British politician and the Conservative whip in the House of Lords. He is known for leading the effort in the House of Lords to decriminalise male homosexuality in 1967. His father was Arthur Gore, 6th Earl of Arran, and
History of the Catholic Church and homosexuality Second Vatican Council directly discussed the issue of homosexuality; but nor did they alter the judgement of earlier councils. However, homosexual activity was frequently referred to in general church documents as "crimen pessimum" (the worst crime). including that codified in 1917. In 1976 Pope Paul VI became the first pontiff in modern history to deny the accusation of homosexuality. In January 1976, he had published a homily, "Persona Humana: Declaration on Certain Questions concerning Sexual Ethics", that outlawed pre or extra-marital sex, condemned homosexuality, and forbade masturbation. In response, Roger Peyrefitte, who had already written in two of his books