The Rainbow Alliance of Bermuda has condemned statements made about the LGBT community by a conservative Christian preacher from the United States.

Assertions spread by Brad Harrub, from the non-denominational Church of Christ, “dehumanise individuals within the community as a whole who identify as LGBTQ+”, according to the group.

It comes after The Royal Gazette revealed that Mr Harrub was in Bermuda this week to lecture churchgoers about why same-sex marriage could lead to society’s acceptance of paedophilia, bestiality and polygamy.

“The Rainbow Alliance of Bermuda is aware of an individual invited to Bermuda by the West End Church of Christ to speak against marriage equality — a human rights issue which the Rainbow Alliance supports fully,” the group stated.

“The assertions he makes dehumanise individuals within the community as a whole who identify as LGBTQ+.

“Many of the claims made previously by Brad Harrub are not supported by substantive science, such as his assertion that ‘homosexuality can reduce a person’s lifespan by up to 24 years’. The Rainbow Alliance of Bermuda strongly condemns such assertions and states unequivocally that all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.”

The group added that “propagating myths about the LGBTQ+ community has a dangerous effect on an already marginalised group”.

Mr Harrub was invited to Bermuda by the West End Church of Christ for a weeklong series of seminars tackling “cultures in conflict”.

Minister Thaddeus Bruno said the church was not looking at the issue from a political perspective or trying to tell the Bermuda Government what to do as it seeks to tackle the issue of same-sex marriage with a referendum and changes to the law.

“We are presenting what we believe the values are from a spiritual perspective,” he said.