Here's an article about a Gay Pride Day in Atlanta, Georgia.
Now, in past years, particularly 2006, many pastors also come to the event to talk about Jesus and Christianity. Presumably, many are just there to be good folks talking about Jesus and Love and all that. I would also assume there be a chunk who want sandwich boards with such messages as "God Hates Fags" and "Homos Go To Hell," or some such lovely thing.
There is video of a pastor getting ready to set up a little booth at the public event (that's right, PUBLIC EVENT), when he's approached by an Event Coordinator, a Security Guard, and a Police Officer. They ask the guy to take it all down, even though nothing is set up yet. He says, 'It's a public event, what happens if I don't', to which the officer says, 'You'll be arrested.' And in fact, 5 pastors were arrested at that event and thrown in a paddy wagon for several hours in 100+ยบ heat.
So I understand both sides. The Christians saying - Hey, It's a public event, and we have freedom of speech as protected by the U.S. Constitution. And I understand the Gay Day point of view - Hey, Can you just leave us alone and let us have our event.
But now they're talking about essentially removing the rights as provided by the US Constitution and the State of Georgia unless you given a special badge. What!?!! The event has also had in previous years, very, shall we say, Naked-ish people on parade, a violation of state laws on nudity and lewd behavior. But apparently, the city of Atlanta is willing to overlook those laws for this particular group. I mean granted, I'm sure the city of New Orleans refuses to enforce these laws come Mardi Gras, so I can kinda understand what the city is doing. At the same time, locking up people in the vicinity who are not willing to go along with the homosexual merriment is a violation of the law, particularly as it pertains to freedom of speech.
Comments