A man dressed in a monk's habit has posted "vile" homophobic leaflets through doors in Leicestershire.
Police have launched a hate crime investigation into the incident, which happened on Tuesday afternoon in part of Market Harborough.
Several people have complained about the leaflets which claimed homosexuality was a sin, immoral, a pathological condition and the work of "the Devil".
It also claimed homosexuality was "directly linked to pagan idolatry and its attendant depravity" and that events such as Leicester Pride were "lewd occasions".
Many residents were disturbed and upset by the two-sided leaflet, Homosexualism – a few points, which also condemned gay men and lesbians as "needing healing, not approval".
Laura Heaps, who lives off Northampton Road, said: "I was horrified something so vile and hateful should be put through our door.
"It was full of fire and brimstone and extremely unpleasant. Fortunately, neither my six-year-old nor eight-year-old got hold of it. I did not want them to have to see it.
"It was horrible. But the people who printed it did not have the courage to put their name to it."
The leaflets were delivered to homes in Granville Street, Bath Street, Nithsdale Avenue, Claxton Street and Northampton Road.
One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "I saw the monk in Bath Street, followed by two angry people."
Another resident said: "He was dressed in a black robe. He didn't knock on doors, he just pushed the leaflets through the letter boxes and moved on."
A spokesman for Leicester LGBT Centre, which is organising this weekend's Pride march in Leicester, said: "Leicester LGBT Centre is and always has been a supporter of freedom of speech.
"However this material goes beyond the scope of fair, impartial speech intended to encourage debate.
"This editorial filth does nothing more than instil a sense of intolerance and fear.
These words are an example of what a civilised society turns its back on.
"This pamphlet is patently made to inflame irrationality and encourage divisiveness and hatred against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
"This judgemental critic uses phrases to reduce LGBT people to no more than sexual predators.
"The use of words associating LGBT people with paedophilia and pederasty is deliberately done to slander."
Similar incidents involving leaflets have been reported in Cambridge and Brighton.
A police spokeswoman said: "It has been logged as a crime and is under investigation.
"We are liaising with other forces but it is too early to link it directly to the Cambridge and Brighton incidents."
She said one person who called in to complain said the monk appeared to be with another man, in normal clothing.
She said. "One was in his in late 30s. The other was dressed in a black monk's outfit.
"Officers attended the area but could not find anyone.
"Several other people came forward reporting the same leaflet."
People who might have seen the man or men responsible are asked to contact the police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
