One of Britain's most influential gay journalists has launched an outspoken attack against the Church by saying it should beg for forgiveness for ruining the lives of gay people.

Matthew Todd, editor of Attitude Magazine, writes for The Huffington Post today about how his own experience of dealing with Christian organisations left him needing counselling.

The issue of gay marriage has been fiercely debated in recent weeks after Cardinal Keith O'Brien that countries that had brought in same sex marriage were "violating human rights."

Now Todd, the Stonewall journalist of the year, hits back at the Christian Church which he says "still cannot give up its perverse obsession with gay sex."."

He writes: It (the Church) should be begging forgiveness from society because of the LGBT people whose lives it has diminished over the millennia.

It should be doing all it can to nurture and help all young people into becoming the upstanding, caring citizens they can be, unfettered from sexual shame and dogma, and it should be taking pride in an inclusive, embracing attitude that celebrates all loving relationships, which are the fundamental essence of God.

Instead in 2012, as the social fabric of this country is feeling more and more unstable, the Church has created a fierce battle over something that will not harm, hurt or even affect anyone except the couples who wish to marry.

In doing so it has again shown itself as being run by sexually obsessive, hard hearted, fear mongers. I pray their God forgives them. A generation will not.

READ HIS FULL BLOG HERE

Attitude Magazine is celebrating its 18th birthday and has interviewed people such as Tony Blair, David Cameron and Daniel Radcliffe.

This month's edition includes an interview with soldier Lance Corporal James Wharton who fought in the Iraq war and escorted the Queen to Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding, but who has spoken out against critics of plans to introduce gay marriage.

Do you agree with Attitude editor Matthew Todd? Leave a comment below