SIGN PETITION HERE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 13, 2011
Contact: Wayne Besen
Phone: 917-691-5118
Email: wbesen@truthwinsout.org
Historic ‘Teach-In’ To Occur Outside SBC Meeting on Wednesday at Phoenix Convention Center
WHAT: A coalition of local and national LGBT activists will hand-deliver a petition to leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention at their annual meeting calling on the SBC to apologize for the harm its teachings have caused the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Prior to delivering the petition, an historic ‘Teach-In’ will take place outside of the SBC’s convention.
WHO: The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, 1 Voice, Believe OutLoud, Faith in America, GetEqual, Soulforce and Truth Wins Out
WHERE: The Phoenix Convention Center
10:30AM
BACKGROUND: Wednesday, June 15 marks the 16th anniversary of the SBC’s historic apology to African Americans for supporting slavery and Jim Crow laws. Now it is time the SBC apologizes to the LGBT community. The Southern Baptist Convention is one of the nation’s leading promoters of the so-called “ex-gay” industry, which browbeats people into attempting to “pray away the gay.” Bob Stith, national strategist for gender issues and the representative of the Task Force on Ministry to Homosexuals, leads the SBC’s “ex-gay” program. Last week, Stith harshly criticized President Barack Obama for issuing a “Lesbian Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month” proclamation.
“We call on the Southern Baptist Convention to stop misusing the Bible to promote religion-based bigotry and start recognizing the enormous pain and suffering caused by its mistreatment of LGBT people, particularly vulnerable youth,” said Dr. Jack McKinney, a heterosexual, married, former Southern Baptist minister and spokesperson for Faith in America. “History has not been kind to the Southern Baptist Convention’s record on minorities and it is making the same awful mistake today by perpetuating abuse against gay people.”
“The anti-gay teachings of the Southern Baptist church nearly led me to suicide,” said Dr. Jerry Stephenson, a former Southern Baptist minister and board member for Truth Wins Out. “I entered an ‘ex-gay’ ministry that falsely claimed I could change my sexual orientation and this led to a deep depression. Only after I accepted my true self was I able to reconcile my faith and sexual orientation. The Southern Baptist Convention needs to apologize because its policies are hurting real people.”
Wish I had a way to get there. I live in Avondale (near Phoenix) and would gladly go if I could get a ride. Hope for the best that the Southern Baptists will listen…at least some of them. What is more likely is that they will spin this as persecution.
why did you not mention the group that help set up the meeting, and event HERO, who has been fighting in phx for years. did the heat get to you
why did you leave out all local organizations in your press release, when they are the ones that set the meetings up, and have rallied the local community, seems very one side. shall be a interesting day, however here in Phx we understand the end goal is more important then who takes credit, maybe everyone will learn something in their time in Phoenix
“HERO and No Longer Silent: Clergy for Justice” 2 local groups that helped set this up seem to be missing from the press release and since the people who will actually show up in the largest numbers for the march are local people here in Phoenix. Where I also live it would probably be a good idea to make a edit and add them and resend this release.
After all if they did some of the leg work they should get some of the credit. Even local organizations need a little National attention every now and then. That is how they get known and become National organizations.
Thanks
Bil
I love the reference “a coalition of local and national activists…” My question is this; why is there only mention of the national organizations but none of the local groups that worked to set this up?
Thank you,
Rev. David A. Moreau
Rev. Moreau, the locals are part of Get Equal and Soulforce’s local chapters.
If you have something to say to me — say it directly. I don’t appreciate innuendo, particualrly from a reverend, suggesting that we are somehow shortchanging the locals. It’s not true.
Wayne,
It seems like Rev. Moreau is not the only one questioning why the local groups were not mentioned which seems to me despite you saying they are part of GetEqual and Soulforce’s local chapters they don’t agree. I would think these locals would have a better grasp on that.
This petition is mentioned in yesterday’s OneNewsNow & GetEqual is the only group mentioned: Gay group seeks apology from Southern Baptists – A Southern Baptist leader doesn’t think a pro homosexual group will get too far with its request for an apology from the conservative denomination, even though it’s experiencing its lowest record of baptisms in 60 years. Terry Fox: the group is looking in the wrong place for an apology. I think they’re the ones that owe America an apology…their whole platform, that whole organization…is nothing but perversion, and it damages families, it damages children. Ultimately, it damages our own society.
Well, then these local leaders who are supposedly upset should act like adults and call me directly if they have a problem. That’s the way I would handle it and I expect the same professionalism in return.
My line is open: 917-691-5118 or wbesen@truthwinsout.org.
I’m not a mindreader. If someone has something to say they ought to say it. And not with suggestions and innueno like the good reverend.
Gee–just catching up on all this today–felt the need to chime in. I have to start by saying that I wish all this infighting weren’t going on. Maybe things could have been coordinated better. From my perspective (I’m not a member of any of the involved groups and not involved in this action), I have to say that until today I never knew the Besen group was even involved. I’ve received lots of email and FaceBook notices from the LOCAL Phoenix groups, but nothing from anyone else. Maybe I just haven’t been paying attention? However, it seems logical to me that the Phoenix groups would be spearheading the petition action in Phoenix–just as I’d think the local Chicago or L. A. groups would have, if the SBC had been meeting in one of those cities. Is it too logical to expect all involved groups to cooperate for the good of the common cause?
John:
Here is why I do not agree with you.
This is not a Phoenix action based on the geography or local politics. This is a national action dreamed up and initiated by national groups that is taking place in Phoenix by virtue of the fact that the SBC convention is being held here. For weeks, we have asked that local groups and individuals participate in this action if they agree with its premise and we certainly need their support.
But this is not the same as national groups swooping into take over a local referendum and override local participation. For anyone to portray it as such is opportunistic and misleading.
I’ve been to 50 states and work with local groups every day — and it goes well 99% of the time because of mutual respect. As I said earlier, I can be reached by phone or e-mail by anyone who wants to be involved. I have personally reached out WEEKS AGO to to local organizations. So, I reject the charge that we did not.
This is what we are doing:
1) We have initiated a NATIONAL petition asking on the SBC to apologize.
2) We are having a teach-in/protest action in front of the SBC meeting — where we will deliver the petition.
3) We are asking locals who want to join this effort and agree with what we are doing to participate. Show up. Tell the SBC what you think and ask them to apologize.
What we are doing is quite simple and inclusive. We really, really, really, need local support to send a message to the SBC. But, let’s be fair. This action has zero to do with local politics. This is quite obviously a national issue that affects ALL Americans and people across the world. Not just locally.
Again — I can be reached at 917-691-5118 or wbesen@truthwinsout.org. So, far no one has called or e-mailed, leading me to believe that there is not an issue. If there is, I would expect those who have an issue to act like classy adults and express their grievances directly to see if they can be addressed before running to the Internet to complain.
Wayne, I know its a national issue–the SBC is a national body. Whether it’s local or national is a non-issue. What I’m concerned with is the apparent lack of coordination, and the complaining (and defensive sparring) that is happening because of the lack of coordination with and recognition of the local groups. And I do believe, as I said, that one typically finds the local groups where an action is taking place getting AT LEAST equal credit and billing for the action in their city. I’ve never seen them absolutely cut out of all publicity and recognition until now, and I don’t understand why anyone felt that was necessary. It’s the local groups who put the feet on national movements, and without the support of the local groups, national movements tend to stall out and do nothing. As I said, I have no axe to grind–I’m not a member of your group or the local ones. I’m just a community observer who is trying to give you the benefit of the person-on-the-street point of view. Your group, other national groups, and all the thousands of local groups across the U.S. are doing important work. In hopes of greater effectiveness and achievements, I’m just expressing my wishes for greater cooperation and collegiality in dealings. I don’t understand how cutting local groups out of the publicity process does the cause any good–remember, it’s the local groups who put the feet on national movements.
John:
The local groups never expressed a strong desire to be involved despite being asked weeks ago. If I am incorrect, and I’m totally open to that possibility, I wish local leaders who are not pleased would contact me directly to fix the situation ASAP. No one has done so. I can’t fix a problem if no one brings it to my attention. I can’t address concerns not raised.
I want everyone to participate, share the credit and be happy with the redults. But I can’t please phantom activists who are allegedly concerned, but not enough to reach out to fix a situation I’m not even sure exists.
My hand is outstretched to anyone who wants to meet me. There is not much more I can do.
Wayne
I’ll add that we WANT them involved in a major way. If you are in Phoenix…please, please, please contact me we NEED you involved.
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