Actor Sean Penn, who won an Oscar this week for his portrayal of assassinated gay politician Harvey Milk, told members of anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church to reach beyond hate to their better selves.

Four Evangelical groups who believe the churches need a positive change of heart and mind on homosexuality have said condemning hate groups is not enough. They want Christian acceptance of gay people.

Six churches and Christian groups have spoken out against US anti-gay hate group Westboro Baptist Church, who proposed to picket in the UK on Friday. But some of them have been challenged about their own policies.