ARNES, MB—A faith-based Manitoba camp has reached a settlement with a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered choir after four years of discussions.

The Rainbow Harmony Project filed a formal complaint with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission in 2002 against Camp Arnes after the camp abruptly cancelled the choir’s annual retreat booking.

Irene Loewen, Camp Arnes board chair, says the staff person who turned the choir away felt the group’s goals were not in accord with the camp’s statement of faith. “But she rejected them without letting them see it,” Loewen says. “They felt they were judged before knowing who they were.”

Brenda Froese, spokesperson for the Rainbow Harmony Project, says the decision to turn the choir away was based on stereotypes and not actual conduct. “Our main concerns were around the code of conduct. It addressed membership in a group rather than behaviour,” Froese says.

But while the choir felt they were discriminated against, Loewen says the camp saw it as a religious freedom issue. In the end, Camp Arnes agreed that “You can control behaviour, but you can’t insist on belief,” says Loewen.

The camp spelled out their application process to be sure to communicate their code of conduct and statement of belief to potential guests and campers. They also clarified their code of conduct to allow sexual relations only in traditional marriage relationships. Froese says the Rainbow Harmony Project struggled with the definition.

“We don’t agree with it, but we understand it’s based in a religious philosophy and they have a right to address that belief as long as they are clearly a religious organization,” she says.

Loewen says the camp is satisfied with the settlement and the process. “We felt we didn’t give up any of our closely held values and beliefs.”

In addition, Camp Arnes, which has strong Mennonite roots, now has sessions covering the diverse situation in Canada as part of on-going staff training.

“We do want to be open to people who have different values and beliefs because that’s our mission,” Loewen says. “And at the same time we can really fulfill our mandate of welcoming people and showing them God’s love.”

Though the two parties never met, Loewen says their relationship is one of “mutual respect.” Camp Arnes has welcomed the choir to re-book and attend the camp, but so far the Rainbow Harmony Project has not.

The groups made a choice to reach an out-of-court settlement instead of having a hearing and decision that would have set a precedent, which could have had long-term ramifications for all Christian organizations.

When the complaint was first issued, Camp Arnes lost a major, long-time customer: Winnipeg One School Division, the largest school division in the province. But Loewen says the camp has rebounded after that initial blow.

Her advice to other Christian organizations facing similar situations is to be detailed and thorough. “Check your documents, clarify your statement of faith and code of conduct, have it reviewed by a lawyer who specializes in this and train your staff about how to speak to people who have different values.”

As for the Rainbow Harmony Project, Froese says choir members are proud they stood up for themselves and were able to make some changes.

“We think it balances the right against sexual discrimination with the right of religious groups to maintain their religious beliefs,” she says.

The Rainbow Harmony Project is a voluntary not-for-profit community chorus with about 50 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered members. Founded in 1999, the choir’s music is eclectic, ranging from Gospel to social justice to Broadway hits.

Camp Arnes, nestled on the shores of Lake Winnipeg, has been open year-round for retreats, outdoor education and Christian camping since 1949.

(with files from Harold Jantz and Renee Joette-Friesen)