Dr. King’s SCLC moves to oust L.A. chapter president over his support for gay rights.
Dr. King’s SCLC moves to oust L.A. chapter president over his support for gay rights.
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) — the civil rights group founded by Dr. Martin Luther King — is “seeking to remove the president of its Los Angeles chapter,” Rev. Eric P. Lee, in response to his role in organizing opposition to California’s same-sex marriage ban, Prop. 8, last fall. Lee believed his public opposition to Prop. 8 would acceptable because the SCLC informed him that the organization was taking a publicly neutral position on the measure. The New York Times explains:
In April, Mr. Lee attended a board meeting of the civil rights organization in Kansas City, Mo., and found himself once again in the minority position among his colleagues on the issue of same-sex marriage, but was told, he said, by the interim president of the civil rights organization, Byron Clay, that the group publicly had a neutral position on the issue.
Explaining that he was unable to come to Atlanta on such short notice, Mr. Lee then received two letters from the organization’s lawyer, Dexter M. Wimbish, threatening him with suspension or removal as president of the Los Angeles chapter if he did not come soon to explain himself.
Lee explained that his opposition to Prop. 8 “created tension in my life I had never experienced with black clergy. But it was clear to me that any time you deny one group of people the same right that other groups have that is a clear violation of civil rights and I have to speak up on that.” The SCLC refused to comment on the matter.
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
The SCLC is now marching backwards.
And it’s based on ignorance and hate.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:44 pm.
WOW…
… Several threads today about gay issues and Daryyll is still in his closet?
.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:45 pmMax Anax junius -1 Says:
WOW…
… Several threads today about gay issues and Daryyll is still in his closet?
Leave him be, he’s having too much fun in Narnia.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:47 pm.
Why of course it’s only maintaining a neutral position…
… Until they have to defend their real position.
And now all doubt has been removed…
… The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) is anti-gay.
Did Jesus select which minority groups to support, and not to?
.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:50 pmsadly enough, i’m not in the least big surprised. if you’ve ever read anything by e lynn harris, the african-amercian community is extremely homophobic.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:51 pmSouthern Christian Leadership.
Thats all that needs to be said.
RIP
July 10th, 2009 at 4:51 pmSGT Stephen R. Sherman
C CO 1-5 IN (STRYKER)
KIA 3 Feb 2005
Mosul, Iraq
.
Rev. Lee can stand by me any day.
.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:52 pmDr. King would no doubt be horrified by the “we got our rights, go get your own!” tone of the organization bearing his name.
Question: Who is the next group to demonized and face discrimination?
PEACE
July 10th, 2009 at 4:52 pmNow I know why you lead with the rubbish downstairs.
Any guess how long it will be before david brooks is frontpaged as a source of a legitimate and meaningful post?
July 10th, 2009 at 4:53 pmThis story should of been kept “on the downlow” so as not to embarass the SCLC. Is “the downlow” a political position, a political stance or just political posturing. Inguiring minds like Lindsy Graham Cracker, Larry Craig and Mark Foley really need an answer before they accept the invitation and a fat check to speak at the SCLC nat’l convention next month in Truth or Consequences, N.Mexico.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:54 pmGreat idea, bozo, let’s start bashin’ African Americans and turn TP into another version of THE GLOBE or WEEKLY NEWS.
Gotta love it when self-proclaimed “progressive” and “liberal” types make blanket uncomplimentary statements about African Americans.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:56 pmanother joe,
July 10th, 2009 at 4:58 pmhave you ever read anything by e lynn harris? he just happens to be a gay african-american man so, i would assume he knows what he’s talking about, unlike yourself. in the future, do me a favor. please don’t respond to anything i post until you know what the fcuk you’re talking about.
thank you
The comparisons between gay rights and the civil rights movement are not that simple, mom.
Unfortunately, Dr. King cannot tell us where he stands. But it is wrong for people to take his name and legacy and use it to rational stands that he did not actually advocate directly for.
It is wrong when the right does it to justify the neocon/repug agenda and it is just as offensive to some when folks do it in the name of being “progressive.”
July 10th, 2009 at 4:58 pmbozo – I have read what many have said.
Proclaiming that this guy speaks the final say on everything and that you know it all is pretty arrogant, but not unexpected.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:59 pmLOL – I can make blanket statements that insult the African American community cuz, I read that a black guy said it.
And besides, a I have a couple of friends that are black too.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:00 pmDear Jesus,
Hey, how ya been? Long time, no see!
Listen, gotta little prob here on earth. Ya left without leavin’ specific instruction about teh gays, so we decided to go ahead and hate on ‘em. You cool with that? I mean, come on, they’re gay, right?
Thanks Buddy, and lookin’ forward to ya comin’ back for a spell!
Your Loyal Fundies
.
PEACE
July 10th, 2009 at 5:00 pmAnother Joe Says:
“i have my period and get my rocks off being contrary”
ain’t no one keeping you here girl.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:02 pmMartin Luther King’s daughter Yolanda is a major homophobe and one of the leaders of the anti-gay rights crusade nationwide.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:05 pmRE;Another Joe Says:
The comparisons between gay rights and the civil rights movement are not that simple, mom.
Unfortunately, Dr. King cannot tell us where he stands. But it is wrong for people to take his name and legacy and use it to rational stands that he did not actually advocate directly for.
Sorry your ignorance…….Coretta Scott King knew her husband and both of them were supportive of gay civil rights. Also your idiotness it’s not a comparison of gay rights and civil rights. …..Black rights and Gay rights are both CIVIL RIGHTS.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:06 pmIgnorance is ugly and sad like you.
Another Joe Says:
Really? How so?
Before the civil rights movement, people of color were not allowed to marry any person of their choosing. They were discriminated against in housing, schooling, use of public facilities. Discrimination was based on one thing – the color of their skin.
Gay men and women are not allowed to marry the person of their choosing. They are not allowed to openly service in the military, which is funded by the federal government. They do not receive the same benefits as other partners. There is no such thing as “common law marriage” for gays that allows them to receive all the benefits of a traditional married couple.
Don’t kid yourself. Discrimination is discrimination.
PEACE
July 10th, 2009 at 5:06 pmWhile it is difficult to understand someone based on a single issue, it sounds like Reverend Lee is someone who deserves respect. I hope more religious leaders stand up as he has.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:07 pmRE; Another Joe
you say “And besides, a I have a couple of friends that are black too.”
typical of a bigot statement which is “some of my best friends are black”
You really are a moron.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:10 pmevangenital Says:
Martin Luther King’s daughter Yolanda is a major homophobe and one of the leaders of the anti-gay rights crusade nationwide.
So….alan keys is rabidly anti gay and his daughter is a lesbian. so your point is pointless.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:11 pmRev. Lee, you have my utmost respect. I do find it gratifying when a Christian leader acts like, well, like a Christian.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:12 pmIn California 70 percent of black voters agreed with Obama that marriage is between one woman and one man.
And Doctor King never said a word in support of homosexuality.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:14 pmjbrat – many within the African American community would disagree, but you speak for them all.
Coretta is entitled to her opinion and I respect what any other African American would share about his opinion.
If people are going to use a thread based on the legacy of Dr. King to slander all African Americans as “homophobic”, a term that many would clearly find offensive, I am gonna call it out.
The real morons stand out, but go ahead and huff and puff.
IT IS PATENTLY RIDICULOUS TO PROCLAIM THAT ALL AFRICAN AMERICANS ARE HOMOPHOBIC and it is just an attempt to circumvent a meaningful dialog about the perspectives of others.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:14 pmI used to attend a black church in L.A. It was always colorful (the clothes) and joyous. I’ve always wondered where the notion that blacks are homophobic started. No one I’ve ever known, or at least would consider a friend, has felt that way.
Honestly, I would think Reverend Lee’s stance would be the norm, not the exception.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:15 pmummmmm… jbrat – I’m mocking those that claim the writings of one African American’s experience gives him a “blank check” to stereotype and slander ALL African Americans.
But REAL progressives understand that sensitivity is in order here and would not defame ALL African Americans nor claim any ONE speaks for ALL.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:16 pmAnother Joe Says:
But REAL progressives understand that sensitivity is in order here and would not defame ALL African Americans nor claim any ONE speaks for ALL.
I was waiting for that: AJ defining for us what “real” progressives think and how they act. And he’s unlikely to notice the irony that it sounds just like Sarah Palin defining for us who “real” Americans might be.
Get over yourself, Another Joe. And, really, when are you going to the trouble of creating your own blog so that you can cover the “real” stories? Obviously, you’re wasted here.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:22 pmThe Chrisianista hatred of “teh gays” is based on a passage from the book of Leviticus in The Old Testament.
In this same Old Testament book it makes clear that you should sell your daughters into slavery or be stoned to death.
Is this where we are headed?
July 10th, 2009 at 5:25 pmcd,
I’ve read numbers like this before, are they accurate? I’d find it more likely that 90% of Orange County voters voted for the ban and it was reported that the initiative passed because of black voters.
Remember all the Mormon money involved.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:26 pmdixie blood Says:
dixie, this is why my parody was based on talking to Jesus, not the Old Testament. Jesus said nothing about gays, but was pretty specific about the opprosed, and he didn’t hold back when it comes to hypocrits and those who judge.
PEACE
July 10th, 2009 at 5:29 pmspencers mom,
And he specifically made clear that prayer should be conducted in private and not it the public square or our schools.
Christianistas are trying to brainwash our children using prayer in school, etc..
They will mentally molest your children to promote their superstitions!!
July 10th, 2009 at 5:43 pmDr. King would blast these idiots for what they are doing. They have no understanding of what he stood for. They should cease immediately using his name in any way whatsoever.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:58 pmdixie blood Says:
The SCLC is now marching backwards.
along with israel… in a way…
this just reminded me of the parallel…
confusing and concerning…
July 10th, 2009 at 6:09 pmdixie blood,
Sharia Law?
Yep, I’d say so.
Girls, start measuring for your Burkas.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:11 pmProud, any PROOF other than what you’ve been told that the black voters were responsible for the passage of prop. 8?
If you look deeper you’ll find it was a bunch of fair haired people from Utah who poured millions of dollars into my state to see it pass.
What, too easy to blame the blacks on this?
Racist ahole.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:19 pmY’all,
Ignore Proud.
This bastard seeks attention and spews hatred and bullshit using just one mouth and no brain.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:23 pmLee explained that his opposition to Prop. 8 “created tension in my life I had never experienced with black clergy. But it was clear to me that any time you deny one group of people the same right that other groups have that is a clear violation of civil rights and I have to speak up on that.”
Thank you Rev. Lee, you can go to the head of the class. As for the SCLC which refused to comment, please decide if you truly are Civil Rights Advocates or not.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:25 pmdixie blood,
I see, just like your average republican.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:28 pmDoes this mean they think gays are racists?
Are there no gays within the black community?
Do blacks feel better with equal protection under the law when another minority is denied theirs?
July 10th, 2009 at 6:30 pmThe SCLC has room for only one type of discrimination. If they accept a challange on discrimination agianst Gays then they feel it would dilute their power in their war on discrimination against Blacks. What is their stance on discrimination against Latinos, Jews or Asians?
July 10th, 2009 at 6:52 pmNow blacks have their very own minority group they can get away with discriminating against. And they’re LOVIN’ IT.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:54 pmAnd Obama has betrayed the LGBT community. He DID not deliver the promised extension of pension and health benefits to the partners of gay federal employees nor did he end DADT.
What a fraud.
Being black AND gay must really suck….
July 10th, 2009 at 6:55 pm70% of black California voters voted FOR Prop. 8. They are HYPOCRITES WRIT LARGE.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:56 pmWith actions like this, the SCLC forfeits it name as a civil rights organization. It may be a Black empowerment organization, which is all to the good, but it also is a religious tool of bigotry.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:11 pmAh the Black Christians at work….when they’re done with this matter they can get back to giving their daughters away to angry mobs for rape just as Lott did when the angels dropped by for a visit…
July 10th, 2009 at 7:26 pmhttp://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-03-24-king-marriage_x.htm
The widow of Martin Luther King Jr. called gay marriage a civil rights issue, denouncing a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban it.
Constitutional amendments should be used to expand freedom, not restrict it, Coretta Scott King said Tuesday.
“Gay and lesbian people have families, and their families should have legal protection, whether by marriage or civil union,” she said. “A constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages is a form of gay bashing and it would do nothing at all to protect traditional marriages.”
July 10th, 2009 at 8:15 pmYet MLK jr was quoted as saying: “I want to be the white man’s brother, not his brother-in-law”
So he couldn’t even accept interracial marriage, yet he’s alright with gay marriage… but maybe not if it’s a white guy and black guy?
I don’t think it matters what MLK jr thought really – He was just a man like anyone else – I think it matters about what is right and it’s obvious that the country is discriminating against a person’s rights. Doesn’t matter what voters vote on, you can’t treat people as second class citizens when they’ve done nothing wrong.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:50 pmA publicly neutral position. Hm. What was it King said about silence and injustice…? Someone help me out here…
July 10th, 2009 at 10:38 pmI think it’s very sad that people who have been discriminated against in the most egregious fashion for a century would turn around and perpetrate the same kind of ridiculous and arbitrary discrimination on others…
Very sad.
July 10th, 2009 at 11:32 pm“the group publicly had a neutral position on the issue.”
They may actually have grounds for ousting the chapter leader.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:11 amMany black ministers are huge homophobes.
That is one reason why Sun Myung Moon – second only to Fred Phelps as the world’s biggest homophobe – has been able to con so many of them out of their souls. Moon calls the front he uses to con them the “American Clergy Leadership Conference” for a reason, to confuse.
Moon has said people with the Aids virus should be made to wear a big “A” on their backs and be quarantined. The lunatic once said they should be made to wear green hats also.
Oddly, many black minsters who claim to not be homophobes still support Moon’s mission as the messiah, such as Joseph Lowery. The moonies were recently flashing a photo of Lowery grinning from ear to ear showing the gold watch Moon gave him.
Frankly, I am not fully convinced Obama isn’t a closet homophobe.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:40 amcd Says:
In California 70 percent of black voters agreed with Obama that marriage is between one woman and one man.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Maybe not but one of his closest advisors a man seen often with him in photographs and a good friend, Bernard Rustin, was an open homsexual.
July 11th, 2009 at 2:25 amspencers mom Says:
dixie blood Says:
The Chrisianista hatred of “teh gays” is based on a passage from the book of Leviticus in The Old Testament.
dixie, this is why my parody was based on talking to Jesus, not the Old Testament. Jesus said nothing about gays, but was pretty specific about the opprosed, and he didn’t hold back when it comes to hypocrits and those who judge.
PEACE
July 10th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
The Bible doesn’t record that Christ said anything about homosexuals. It doesn’t record the specific things he said about the sexual expression the Creator intended.
In Matthew 19 Christ says that the Creator intended that a man and a woman would be one flesh in marriage. This “one flesh” state can only be achieved by a man and a woman. Christ was very specific about this.
He was also very specific about adultery being both action and attitude. This was recorded in either Matthew 5 or 7. Do you really think the Teacher who said don’t lust after a woman in your heart because it’s adultery, would be Ok with homosexuality?
In the Bible the oppressed doesn’t include homosexuals or adulterers.
July 11th, 2009 at 9:55 amdixie blood Says:
The Chrisianista hatred of “teh gays” is based on a passage from the book of Leviticus in The Old Testament.
In this same Old Testament book it makes clear that you should sell your daughters into slavery or be stoned to death.
Is this where we are headed?
July 10th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
You neglected to say exactly why one would want to sell one’s daughter in the OT book of Leviticus. Why would one do that? What situation would be avoided by selling a daughter? You forgot to say.
It is the case in Leviticus 20 that death is the the penalty for the following”
Adultery
Homosexuality
Bestiality
Child sacrifice
Would you think that selling your daughter is more human that death, and what would be so awful that one would have to sell one’s daughter? If must have been a serious offense.
July 11th, 2009 at 10:01 ambitbit,
you bible guys are crazy. Maybe the Gospel of * that preaches compassion for gays was omitted by whomever put the good book together.
July 11th, 2009 at 1:48 pm..and the SCLC came forth and said: ‘we must show the other protestants that we too are heroes’, and forthwith slew the gays.
July 11th, 2009 at 4:35 pmBit you are an ignorant bigot. Jesus never said a word about homosexuality. You are stupid bit. The fact YOU hate gays only speaks to what a cretin YOU are. No one in their right mind cares what you think about gay anything why dont you just STFU
July 11th, 2009 at 6:26 pmbitblt Says:
spencers mom Says:
dixie blood Says:
The Chrisianista hatred of “teh gays” is based on a passage from the book of Leviticus in The Old Testament.
dixie, this is why my parody was based on talking to Jesus, not the Old Testament. Jesus said nothing about gays, but was pretty specific about the opprosed, and he didn’t hold back when it comes to hypocrits and those who judge.
PEACE
July 10th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
The Bible doesn’t record that Christ said anything about homosexuals which permits one to say that Bible doesn’t record that Christ spoke about homosexuality.
The Bible does record the specific things He said about the sexual expression the Creator intended. One may speak of those things about which Christ specifically spoke.
In Matthew 19 Christ says that the Creator intended that a man and a woman would be one flesh in marriage. This “one flesh” state can only be achieved by a man and a woman, and this relationship is the Biblical definition of marriage. Christ was very specific about this “one flesh” relationship being the relationships that the Creator intended.
He was also very specific about adultery being both action and attitude. This was recorded in Matthew 5. Do you really think the Teacher who said don’t lust after a woman in your heart because it’s adultery, would be Ok with homosexuality?
This idea is repeated in Matthew 15
In the Bible the oppressed doesn’t include homosexuals or adulterers.
We do no one any good by refusing to focus on personal responsibility and choices about such important matters as sexual behavior.
July 12th, 2009 at 1:39 pm#62 – bitblt Says:
———————————————————
“We do no one any good by refusing to focus on personal responsibility and choices about such important matters as sexual behavior.”
July 12th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
So, what you’re saying is that you want to shove your religious lifestyle in everyone’s face, and impose your beliefs on everyone else, no matter what they believe?
July 13th, 2009 at 11:32 am