Boston Mayor Tom Menino is a disgrace. Read this quote from Bay Windows' endorsement of him in light of the scandalous disruption of the Love Won Out conference last Saturday. Is it any wonder that QueerToday radicals run wild in the streets with this man as mayor?
In the race for Mayor, Bay Windows endorses incumbent Tom Menino. With the exception of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who made his mark, obviously, by opening up San Francisco City Hall to same-sex couples who wanted to marry, it's hard to think of another big-city mayor who is more supportive of LGBT rights than Menino....The city is one of a handful in the nation that expressly forbids discrimination on the basis of gender identity....
At last weekend's Human Rights Campaign dinner he showed why the LGBT community has supported him so fiercely: in talking about the ex-gay Love Won Out conference that had taken place in the city earlier in the day, he dismissed it disdainfully. There was no pretense that religion offers an escape clause when it comes to supporting civil rights. "We believe that their message is hate, not love," the Mayor told attendees of the dinner. "We also know that same-sex marriages are pro-family."
Thursday, November 3, 2005
"Gay" Reporter Shocked by Vicious Hatred on His Own Side
Once in a while, the opposition is honest. There's surprising coverage by "gay" reporter Ethan Jacobs in today's Bay Windows on the near-riot -- or was it a riot? -- that never happened (according to the mainstream media). The rage by the queer extremists (and their anti-war allies) against the Love Won Out conference frightened even Mr. Jacobs. Here are some excerpts from "My Day with the Ex-Gays":
Christians and the lions
The anti-war protest threw a bit of a monkey wrench into the plans for Love Won Out. The march was expected to wind its way down Tremont Street at around noon, just when conference attendees were due to go on their lunch break. To shelter the attendees from the protestors Focus on the Family decided to bring in boxed lunches for everyone so no one would have to leave the building. The impression given by conference organizers was that the church would be under siege from rabid LGBT activists and their allies. And they were right.
The anti-war march arrived late, but at 2 p.m., just as the day's freak snow storm was picking up, the marchers could be seen, and heard, in the distance. Before they arrived the street was filled with cops, some on bikes, some on foot, who moved the 30 or so protestors from that morning out of the street to make way for the march. The nearly 2000 marchers began to pour down the street, and towards the front was a small flat-bed truck. In the back of that truck stood Mark Snyder, founder of the activist group QueerToday.com, which arranged for the anti-war march to join the ex-gay protest. Snyder shouted into a megaphone, "Focus on the Family! Shut it down! James Dobson! Shut it down! Homophobia! Shut it down! Karl Rove! Shut it down!" Many in the crowd joined the chant, and the sound was nearly deafening.
When the truck had positioned itself squarely in front of the church, the entire 2000-person march stopped in place. The chanting continued, and up near the church entrance another group of marchers began chanting, "Get the f*** out of Boston!" The protestors got louder and louder with every passing second.
A phalanx of cops lined up in front of the door, and others worked to keep the marchers in the streets. From my own perspective, sandwiched between the thousands of protestors and the police in riot gear, I was more than a little scared, and these were supposedly my people protesting. Most of the conference attendees were inside listening to Fryrear's personal testimony, but the few who were at the door looked on in horror. The prevailing mood of the protest was hatred, and whether that hatred was mostly aimed at Love Won Out or the war in Iraq made little difference. To the evangelical Christians watching the fiasco, the protestors looked an awful lot like lions, and it was feeding time.
After a couple minutes the march resumed, and things went back to normal. But for the rest of the day several speakers made reference to the protest, and it helped feed into the persecution complex that has been one of the fixtures of the ex-gay movement. Ex-gays have long argued that the gay community has been intolerant of Christians, and the march only helped them buttress their argument.
Christians and the lions
The anti-war protest threw a bit of a monkey wrench into the plans for Love Won Out. The march was expected to wind its way down Tremont Street at around noon, just when conference attendees were due to go on their lunch break. To shelter the attendees from the protestors Focus on the Family decided to bring in boxed lunches for everyone so no one would have to leave the building. The impression given by conference organizers was that the church would be under siege from rabid LGBT activists and their allies. And they were right.
The anti-war march arrived late, but at 2 p.m., just as the day's freak snow storm was picking up, the marchers could be seen, and heard, in the distance. Before they arrived the street was filled with cops, some on bikes, some on foot, who moved the 30 or so protestors from that morning out of the street to make way for the march. The nearly 2000 marchers began to pour down the street, and towards the front was a small flat-bed truck. In the back of that truck stood Mark Snyder, founder of the activist group QueerToday.com, which arranged for the anti-war march to join the ex-gay protest. Snyder shouted into a megaphone, "Focus on the Family! Shut it down! James Dobson! Shut it down! Homophobia! Shut it down! Karl Rove! Shut it down!" Many in the crowd joined the chant, and the sound was nearly deafening.
When the truck had positioned itself squarely in front of the church, the entire 2000-person march stopped in place. The chanting continued, and up near the church entrance another group of marchers began chanting, "Get the f*** out of Boston!" The protestors got louder and louder with every passing second.
A phalanx of cops lined up in front of the door, and others worked to keep the marchers in the streets. From my own perspective, sandwiched between the thousands of protestors and the police in riot gear, I was more than a little scared, and these were supposedly my people protesting. Most of the conference attendees were inside listening to Fryrear's personal testimony, but the few who were at the door looked on in horror. The prevailing mood of the protest was hatred, and whether that hatred was mostly aimed at Love Won Out or the war in Iraq made little difference. To the evangelical Christians watching the fiasco, the protestors looked an awful lot like lions, and it was feeding time.
After a couple minutes the march resumed, and things went back to normal. But for the rest of the day several speakers made reference to the protest, and it helped feed into the persecution complex that has been one of the fixtures of the ex-gay movement. Ex-gays have long argued that the gay community has been intolerant of Christians, and the march only helped them buttress their argument.
Wednesday, November 2, 2005
More Queer Chants
Article 8 has reported on some of what we heard and saw at the queer protest outside the Love Won Out conference in Boston last Saturday. Here is bit more . Get ready. They're coming to your church and neighborhood soon!
QueerToday ringleader Mark breathlessly announced:
"I just spoke at the anti-war rally [on the Boston Common]. You won't believe the chants I heard down there! 'Racist, sexist, anti-gay!' They're chanting the same thing down there that we're chanting up here!! They stand in solidarity with us! And there was thunderous applause when I talked about the anti-war movement coming up here and protesting this conference!! They can't wait! They're so excited to march past here and protest with us! Hang in there!"
Young woman calling out for attention:
"Free will equals free sexuality! Get it right here!"
Group chants:
"Our hands are cold, are feet are sore.
But we are fighting hate and war."
"Hate is not a Boston value."
"Gay, straight, black, white --
Equal protection, equal rights!"
"Hey Hey, Ho Ho. Homophobia's got to go!"
A young woman held this sign:
"I love ME"
QueerToday ringleader Mark breathlessly announced:
"I just spoke at the anti-war rally [on the Boston Common]. You won't believe the chants I heard down there! 'Racist, sexist, anti-gay!' They're chanting the same thing down there that we're chanting up here!! They stand in solidarity with us! And there was thunderous applause when I talked about the anti-war movement coming up here and protesting this conference!! They can't wait! They're so excited to march past here and protest with us! Hang in there!"
Young woman calling out for attention:
"Free will equals free sexuality! Get it right here!"
Group chants:
"Our hands are cold, are feet are sore.
But we are fighting hate and war."
"Hate is not a Boston value."
"Gay, straight, black, white --
Equal protection, equal rights!"
"Hey Hey, Ho Ho. Homophobia's got to go!"
A young woman held this sign:
"I love ME"
"Gay" Protesters' Anger, Rage, & Hatred Indescribable
Here is another report on the violent, hateful demonstration against the "Love Won Out" conference led by ex-gays and Focus on the Family last Saturday in Boston (Oct. 29 at the Tremont Temple Baptist Church). Are the churches of America ready for more of this? It's coming their way soon.
Click here for photos taken by Christian Civic League of Maine President, Pastor Dallas Henry.
From the Christian Civic League of Maine report (Nov. 1):
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Conference Meets Behind Police Lines As Antiwar Pro-gay Rally Shouts Obscenities and Demands “Shut it Down! Shut it Down!”
The scene outside the Tremont Temple in Boston last Saturday was one of tumult and confusion as an angry crowd vented their rage at evangelicals attending a conference on the compassionate treatment of homosexuals. In the words of one attendee at the conference, “The anger, rage, and hatred were indescribable.”
The conference entitled “Love Won Out” was sponsored by Dr. James Dobson’s Focus on the Family. The organizers of the conference had been warned to expect a crowd of 6,000 protestors. Most of the crowd was drawn from an anti-war rally on Boston Commons which featured Cindy Sheehan. The anti-war rally, organized by a group calling itself “The October 29th Coalition,” then joined forces with a gay rights group called “The Stonewall Warriors.” The name “Stonewall” of course, is taken from the “Stonewall Riot” in Greenwich Village in Manhattan, which launched the gay rights movement.
On Saturday morning, the antiwar protestors gathered outside Tremont Temple where the conference was underway, and using PA systems, shouted obscenities and yelled “Shut it down! Shut it down!” for almost 45 minutes.
When one pastor went outside to photograph the “protest march,” he saw a crowd which filled the block and stretched in a long line down both ends of the street. The pastor was warned by the police to go inside and not come out again, for his own protection.
Inside Tremont Temple, there was an atmosphere of quiet respect and compassion for homosexuals, and a great deal of prayer, as former homosexuals told how Christ had changed their lives, and Christians shared how people can find compassionate answers to the problems of homosexuality.
Click here for photos taken by Christian Civic League of Maine President, Pastor Dallas Henry.
From the Christian Civic League of Maine report (Nov. 1):
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Conference Meets Behind Police Lines As Antiwar Pro-gay Rally Shouts Obscenities and Demands “Shut it Down! Shut it Down!”
The scene outside the Tremont Temple in Boston last Saturday was one of tumult and confusion as an angry crowd vented their rage at evangelicals attending a conference on the compassionate treatment of homosexuals. In the words of one attendee at the conference, “The anger, rage, and hatred were indescribable.”
The conference entitled “Love Won Out” was sponsored by Dr. James Dobson’s Focus on the Family. The organizers of the conference had been warned to expect a crowd of 6,000 protestors. Most of the crowd was drawn from an anti-war rally on Boston Commons which featured Cindy Sheehan. The anti-war rally, organized by a group calling itself “The October 29th Coalition,” then joined forces with a gay rights group called “The Stonewall Warriors.” The name “Stonewall” of course, is taken from the “Stonewall Riot” in Greenwich Village in Manhattan, which launched the gay rights movement.
On Saturday morning, the antiwar protestors gathered outside Tremont Temple where the conference was underway, and using PA systems, shouted obscenities and yelled “Shut it down! Shut it down!” for almost 45 minutes.
When one pastor went outside to photograph the “protest march,” he saw a crowd which filled the block and stretched in a long line down both ends of the street. The pastor was warned by the police to go inside and not come out again, for his own protection.
Inside Tremont Temple, there was an atmosphere of quiet respect and compassion for homosexuals, and a great deal of prayer, as former homosexuals told how Christ had changed their lives, and Christians shared how people can find compassionate answers to the problems of homosexuality.
Tuesday, November 1, 2005
Senator Havern: Laughing All the Way to the Bank
This is what it's all about: MONEY! ... and the craving to appear "progressive".
State Senator Robert Havern of Arlington was "honored" by the GLBTQIP community last week. They held a fundraiser for this very funny senator, who keeps them all in stitches by calling us "bigots".
It's truly amazing that Senator Havern thinks that granting special rights for GLBTQIP's is an issue anyone can be lighthearted about. Too bad he wasn't with us at the Love Won Out conference last Saturday, to observe the true character of this movement he's been duped into supporting. In the leadership as Assistant Majority Whip, he's among the worst the Massachusetts legislature has to offer.
From Bay Windows:
Despite 18 years as one of the LGBT community's most committed legislative allies, it's hard to believe that the gay political establishment has never, not once, held a fundraiser for Sen. Robert Havern (D-Arlington), a fact not lost on the man himself. "How's that, huh?" muses the Assistant Majority Whip. "I'm a virgin," he deadpans. "So to speak." ...
Through the years, Havern, who was elected to the Senate in 1990, has been a key supporter "on every single GLBT issue there is," says Arline Isaacson [chief GLBTQIP lobbyist]. Beyond opposing attempts to ban gay foster parenting and adoption in the late 80s, Havern filed domestic partnership bills throughout the 1990s...,in addition to supporting hate crimes legislation and the Safe Schools Program. In pre-Goodridge 2003 he sponsored a civil union bill. At the start of the 2004 legislative session, Havern filed a bill to amend the state's marriage laws to conform to the Goodridge ruling.
But Havern's most important pro-gay work on behalf of the LGBT community, says Isaacson, has been behind the scenes, where his off-beat sense of humor has disarmed even the most ardent gay rights foes. "He could talk to them and could get them laughing at their own bigotry," says Isaacson, "which is a very unusual skill." It's a talent that was in full swing during last year's constitutional convention, when Havern famously urged those who are uncomfortable with gay sex to support same-sex marriage because, as everyone knows, "After marriage there is no sex."
State Senator Robert Havern of Arlington was "honored" by the GLBTQIP community last week. They held a fundraiser for this very funny senator, who keeps them all in stitches by calling us "bigots".
It's truly amazing that Senator Havern thinks that granting special rights for GLBTQIP's is an issue anyone can be lighthearted about. Too bad he wasn't with us at the Love Won Out conference last Saturday, to observe the true character of this movement he's been duped into supporting. In the leadership as Assistant Majority Whip, he's among the worst the Massachusetts legislature has to offer.
From Bay Windows:
Despite 18 years as one of the LGBT community's most committed legislative allies, it's hard to believe that the gay political establishment has never, not once, held a fundraiser for Sen. Robert Havern (D-Arlington), a fact not lost on the man himself. "How's that, huh?" muses the Assistant Majority Whip. "I'm a virgin," he deadpans. "So to speak." ...
Through the years, Havern, who was elected to the Senate in 1990, has been a key supporter "on every single GLBT issue there is," says Arline Isaacson [chief GLBTQIP lobbyist]. Beyond opposing attempts to ban gay foster parenting and adoption in the late 80s, Havern filed domestic partnership bills throughout the 1990s...,in addition to supporting hate crimes legislation and the Safe Schools Program. In pre-Goodridge 2003 he sponsored a civil union bill. At the start of the 2004 legislative session, Havern filed a bill to amend the state's marriage laws to conform to the Goodridge ruling.
But Havern's most important pro-gay work on behalf of the LGBT community, says Isaacson, has been behind the scenes, where his off-beat sense of humor has disarmed even the most ardent gay rights foes. "He could talk to them and could get them laughing at their own bigotry," says Isaacson, "which is a very unusual skill." It's a talent that was in full swing during last year's constitutional convention, when Havern famously urged those who are uncomfortable with gay sex to support same-sex marriage because, as everyone knows, "After marriage there is no sex."
Monday, October 31, 2005
Prof. Rob Gagnon Lists Dangers of "Hate Crimes" Bill
We've just added a new link (in our recommended sites column) to a rich website by Professor Rob Gagnon, which offers a Christian perspective on homosexual issues. As just one example of his thorough approach, here is his list of what he predicts will follow if our federal government passes "hate crimes" legislation. A VERY SCARY AND BELIEVABLE LIST. This is from Prof. Gagnon's "Open Letter Regarding the Current Hate Crimes Amendment" (Oct. 20, 2005):
Here is a sample of twenty-five things that are likely to happen if "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" are made specially protected civil rights classifications in the legal code:
1. Large fines and eventually jail time for anyone who publicly speaks out against homosexual activity or transgenderism, even as a minister, if the state determines that one's message arouses people to hate homosexual or transgendered persons. This includes messages that cite Scripture or refer to studies that show higher incidences of promiscuity and disease among homosexually active men.
2. Suspension without pay from one's place of employment and even outright termination if one declares in any way one's opposition to homosexual practice or transgenderism, even if, as a white-collar employee, one makes such a declaration in a "letter to an editor" outside the domain of the workplace; moreover, one will have to pay the court costs of his persecutors.
3. Termination from one's job if one does not support "coming out" celebrations or "gay pride" observances in the workplace, or if one does not attend mandatory "sensitivity" or "diversity" training sessions that espouse acceptance of homosexuality.
4. Large fines if one owns a business and does not allow GLBT ("gay," lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered) activists to make use of the business's services to advance the GLBT agenda (e.g., if a privately owned print shop refuses to print materials for homosexual advocacy); moreover, having to pay the court costs of the government agency that prosecutes the case.
5. Corporations having to institute affirmative-hire programs for GLBTs as a necessary precaution against potential federal or civil lawsuits for "sexual orientation" discrimination.
6. Forced indoctrination of children as young as kindergarten in the public school systems into the acceptability of homosexual and transgendered behavior and the labeling of their parents' contrary religious views as "bigotry" and "hatred," through required readings, "GLBT studies," and mandatory attendance at special diversity convocations or diversity workshops; also, mandatory "sensitivity training" for all teachers on the value of sexual orientation diversity.
7. Even parochial schools being required to accept "gay prom dates" and "gay clubs."
8. Home-schooled children not being allowed to receive certification if their parents do not teach a curriculum that incorporates appreciation for "sexual diversity."
9. Loss of federal funds, including hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal funds for student loans, for any Christian college or seminary that does not hire homosexually active teachers, or that forbids students to engage in homosexual practice, or that allows a teacher at its institution to speak against homosexual practice.
10. Ultimately, the threat of loss of accreditation for Christian colleges that do not condone homosexual behavior and transgenderism.
11. Students and employees required to get counseling for the alleged mental health condition of "homophobia" or risk expulsion.
12. Imposition of national gay marriage by the courts, through appeal to this newly formed federal civil liberties category of "sexual orientation."
13. Being forbidden by a judge in a separation or divorce settlement from ever speaking against homosexual practice to one's child if one's ex-partner or spouse is openly homosexual.
14.Having one's child (whether a foster child, adopted child, or, eventually, one's biological child) removed from one's house if the parent opposes the child's declaration of homosexual identity and activity.
15. Private civic organizations, as well as Christian camps and retreat centers, being fined or shut down if they do not allow their facilities to be used by persons or groups for homosexual activities (e.g., to host a "wedding" by a homosexual couple or for a meeting of a "gay choir").
16. Fines for any person responsible for a newspaper ad critical of homosexual practice or transgenderism, even if the advertisement merely quotes Scripture; also, fines for the newspaper that prints it.
17. Fines for any persons with rooms for rent in their home (e.g. a bed & breakfast) if they refuse to rent to a homosexual couple intent on having homosexual sex on the premises.
18. Mayors taken to court for refusing to declare Gay Pride Days in their cities and being forced to declare such celebrations.
19. Loss of charitable status for churches that seek to influence their members to oppose pro-homosex legislation or that refuse to marry homosexual persons.
20. Fines and/or loss of license for any broadcasting corporation that criticizes, or allows its broadcasting facilities to be used for criticism of, homosexual practice over the airwaves.
21. Adoption and foster agencies forbidden to give any priority to heterosexual married couples over homosexual couples on the grounds that such priority would be discriminatory.
22. Refusing the Boy Scouts and Salvation Army the use of public facilities because of their opposition to homosexual practice and transgenderism; moreover, censuring professionals who support such organizations in their private lives (e.g., prohibiting judges from involvement in any organization that "discriminates" on the basis of "sexual orientation").
23. Banning from university campuses Christian organizations that disapprove of homosexual practice (e.g., Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Campus Crusade).
24. Making it illegal for members of mental health professions to counsel persons against a homosexual life.
25. Eventually special civil rights protection for other "sexual minorities" who can claim oppression for their "orientation": 'polysexuals' (those who are in multiple partner unions), participants in adult consensual incest, and perhaps even 'pedosexuals' (persons sexually oriented toward young adolescents or children).
Here is a sample of twenty-five things that are likely to happen if "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" are made specially protected civil rights classifications in the legal code:
1. Large fines and eventually jail time for anyone who publicly speaks out against homosexual activity or transgenderism, even as a minister, if the state determines that one's message arouses people to hate homosexual or transgendered persons. This includes messages that cite Scripture or refer to studies that show higher incidences of promiscuity and disease among homosexually active men.
2. Suspension without pay from one's place of employment and even outright termination if one declares in any way one's opposition to homosexual practice or transgenderism, even if, as a white-collar employee, one makes such a declaration in a "letter to an editor" outside the domain of the workplace; moreover, one will have to pay the court costs of his persecutors.
3. Termination from one's job if one does not support "coming out" celebrations or "gay pride" observances in the workplace, or if one does not attend mandatory "sensitivity" or "diversity" training sessions that espouse acceptance of homosexuality.
4. Large fines if one owns a business and does not allow GLBT ("gay," lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered) activists to make use of the business's services to advance the GLBT agenda (e.g., if a privately owned print shop refuses to print materials for homosexual advocacy); moreover, having to pay the court costs of the government agency that prosecutes the case.
5. Corporations having to institute affirmative-hire programs for GLBTs as a necessary precaution against potential federal or civil lawsuits for "sexual orientation" discrimination.
6. Forced indoctrination of children as young as kindergarten in the public school systems into the acceptability of homosexual and transgendered behavior and the labeling of their parents' contrary religious views as "bigotry" and "hatred," through required readings, "GLBT studies," and mandatory attendance at special diversity convocations or diversity workshops; also, mandatory "sensitivity training" for all teachers on the value of sexual orientation diversity.
7. Even parochial schools being required to accept "gay prom dates" and "gay clubs."
8. Home-schooled children not being allowed to receive certification if their parents do not teach a curriculum that incorporates appreciation for "sexual diversity."
9. Loss of federal funds, including hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal funds for student loans, for any Christian college or seminary that does not hire homosexually active teachers, or that forbids students to engage in homosexual practice, or that allows a teacher at its institution to speak against homosexual practice.
10. Ultimately, the threat of loss of accreditation for Christian colleges that do not condone homosexual behavior and transgenderism.
11. Students and employees required to get counseling for the alleged mental health condition of "homophobia" or risk expulsion.
12. Imposition of national gay marriage by the courts, through appeal to this newly formed federal civil liberties category of "sexual orientation."
13. Being forbidden by a judge in a separation or divorce settlement from ever speaking against homosexual practice to one's child if one's ex-partner or spouse is openly homosexual.
14.Having one's child (whether a foster child, adopted child, or, eventually, one's biological child) removed from one's house if the parent opposes the child's declaration of homosexual identity and activity.
15. Private civic organizations, as well as Christian camps and retreat centers, being fined or shut down if they do not allow their facilities to be used by persons or groups for homosexual activities (e.g., to host a "wedding" by a homosexual couple or for a meeting of a "gay choir").
16. Fines for any person responsible for a newspaper ad critical of homosexual practice or transgenderism, even if the advertisement merely quotes Scripture; also, fines for the newspaper that prints it.
17. Fines for any persons with rooms for rent in their home (e.g. a bed & breakfast) if they refuse to rent to a homosexual couple intent on having homosexual sex on the premises.
18. Mayors taken to court for refusing to declare Gay Pride Days in their cities and being forced to declare such celebrations.
19. Loss of charitable status for churches that seek to influence their members to oppose pro-homosex legislation or that refuse to marry homosexual persons.
20. Fines and/or loss of license for any broadcasting corporation that criticizes, or allows its broadcasting facilities to be used for criticism of, homosexual practice over the airwaves.
21. Adoption and foster agencies forbidden to give any priority to heterosexual married couples over homosexual couples on the grounds that such priority would be discriminatory.
22. Refusing the Boy Scouts and Salvation Army the use of public facilities because of their opposition to homosexual practice and transgenderism; moreover, censuring professionals who support such organizations in their private lives (e.g., prohibiting judges from involvement in any organization that "discriminates" on the basis of "sexual orientation").
23. Banning from university campuses Christian organizations that disapprove of homosexual practice (e.g., Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Campus Crusade).
24. Making it illegal for members of mental health professions to counsel persons against a homosexual life.
25. Eventually special civil rights protection for other "sexual minorities" who can claim oppression for their "orientation": 'polysexuals' (those who are in multiple partner unions), participants in adult consensual incest, and perhaps even 'pedosexuals' (persons sexually oriented toward young adolescents or children).
Sunday, October 30, 2005
"QueerToday" Protesters Get Special Privileges
MassResistance attended the Love Won Out conference in Boston yesterday, and witnessed first hand the special privileges extended to the "QueerToday" protesters. They were trying to silence the message of the conference (run by Focus on the Family and ex-gay ministries) that there is a way out of their unhappy state.
After what we saw, we say: It's time for a buffer-zone law for queer activist demonstrators!
Imagine an anti-abortion group wanting to demonstrate in front of an abortion clinic. They have baby-sized coffins as props. They're chanting, "Stop murdering babies!" They have placards showing baby bodies ripped apart, saying "Abortion is murder." They circle around in the middle of street, seriously disrupting traffic, chanting loudly to intimidate people going in or out.
At one point a truck parks for an extended time in front of the clinic, with loudspeakers blaring "Shut it down! Shut it down!" To top it all off, they do this WITHOUT A PERMIT to hold a demonstration. What do you think the police would do?
The QueerToday demonstrators did all this and more (throw in some profanity hurled at conference participants) yesterday in front of the Tremont Temple ex-gay conference. They charged James Dobson (head of Focus on the Family) and the Love Won Out program with causing "gay teen deaths", and set up coffins for props in the street. Loud chanting disrupted the conference. A truck parked in front of the church blasted "SHUT IT DOWN!" for at least 10 or 15 minutes, but the many police lining the street did nothing to move it along, or tell them to turn the loudspeakers off. (Did they have the special permit needed for that sound system?) No -- The police did nothing to disperse the demonstrators who were there without a permit (according to the Boston Globe).
Well, as we all know, abortion protesters are subject to a targeted "abortion clinic buffer zone" law limiting their free speech in Massachusetts. Maybe it's time to extend such a law to queer harassment specialists. No ... Better yet, how about repealing the abortion clinic buffer zone altogether, along with special rights for homosexuals?
From yesterday's Boston Globe ("Rally and protests both hit city today"):
The city will close Tremont, Park, Beacon, Bowdoin, Cambridge, and Court streets near the Common beginning at noon, transportation officials said. Police plan an increased presence to monitor the scheduled noon anti-war rally.
Officials will also be monitoring a conference at Tremont Temple Baptist Church called ''Love Won Out," which focuses on the theory that homosexuals can convert to heterosexual lives through a relationship with God.
The conference has incited many in the gay community, who have picketed at the church and are expected to gather in protest today.
''We are aware of the events that will be in the area and will be monitoring the area to ensure public safety and maintain order," said Sergeant Thomas Sexton, a police department spokesman. ''We can't get into it too much because we don't know what will happen."
Tracey Ganiatsos, a spokeswoman for the Transportation Department, said conference protesters had not requested a permit to march from the city.
''When we hear stories about the possibility of a protest, but no one requests a permit, usually the police will keep an eye on the area and make sure things remain in order," she said.
After what we saw, we say: It's time for a buffer-zone law for queer activist demonstrators!
Imagine an anti-abortion group wanting to demonstrate in front of an abortion clinic. They have baby-sized coffins as props. They're chanting, "Stop murdering babies!" They have placards showing baby bodies ripped apart, saying "Abortion is murder." They circle around in the middle of street, seriously disrupting traffic, chanting loudly to intimidate people going in or out.
At one point a truck parks for an extended time in front of the clinic, with loudspeakers blaring "Shut it down! Shut it down!" To top it all off, they do this WITHOUT A PERMIT to hold a demonstration. What do you think the police would do?
The QueerToday demonstrators did all this and more (throw in some profanity hurled at conference participants) yesterday in front of the Tremont Temple ex-gay conference. They charged James Dobson (head of Focus on the Family) and the Love Won Out program with causing "gay teen deaths", and set up coffins for props in the street. Loud chanting disrupted the conference. A truck parked in front of the church blasted "SHUT IT DOWN!" for at least 10 or 15 minutes, but the many police lining the street did nothing to move it along, or tell them to turn the loudspeakers off. (Did they have the special permit needed for that sound system?) No -- The police did nothing to disperse the demonstrators who were there without a permit (according to the Boston Globe).
Well, as we all know, abortion protesters are subject to a targeted "abortion clinic buffer zone" law limiting their free speech in Massachusetts. Maybe it's time to extend such a law to queer harassment specialists. No ... Better yet, how about repealing the abortion clinic buffer zone altogether, along with special rights for homosexuals?
From yesterday's Boston Globe ("Rally and protests both hit city today"):
The city will close Tremont, Park, Beacon, Bowdoin, Cambridge, and Court streets near the Common beginning at noon, transportation officials said. Police plan an increased presence to monitor the scheduled noon anti-war rally.
Officials will also be monitoring a conference at Tremont Temple Baptist Church called ''Love Won Out," which focuses on the theory that homosexuals can convert to heterosexual lives through a relationship with God.
The conference has incited many in the gay community, who have picketed at the church and are expected to gather in protest today.
''We are aware of the events that will be in the area and will be monitoring the area to ensure public safety and maintain order," said Sergeant Thomas Sexton, a police department spokesman. ''We can't get into it too much because we don't know what will happen."
Tracey Ganiatsos, a spokeswoman for the Transportation Department, said conference protesters had not requested a permit to march from the city.
''When we hear stories about the possibility of a protest, but no one requests a permit, usually the police will keep an eye on the area and make sure things remain in order," she said.
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