LGBT
Related: About this forumCheck out this hateful flier from opponents of Plano's nondiscrimination ordinance:
Last week we reported that a Houston-based anti-LGBT group planned a petition drive to repeal the non-discrimination ordinance passed by the Plano City Council earlier this month.
Now, opponents of the ordinance have launched a website, PlanoEqualRights.com, dedicated to gathering signatures to place the ordinance on the ballot.
A group of 80 pastors opposed to the ordinance reportedly held an emergency meeting this week at Plano's Prestonwood Baptist Church, an evangelical megachurch that's also known as "Six Flags Over Jesus."
The Houston-based Texas Pastor Council, led by anti-gay bigot Dave Welch reports:
Jeff Mateer of Liberty Institute gave a legal analysis of why the Plano ordinance and others like it are a direct offense against First Amendments of religious belief, expression and free exercise. Dave Welch then closed the meeting with the how to of the referendum petition process. He explained that since Plano and Houston City Charter requirements for qualifying a referendum are nearly identical, the critical steps of signature gathering and having notarized are likewise the same so they could benefit from our experience.
Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/2014/12/plano-update.html
Cross-posted in the Texas Group.
shenmue
(38,506 posts)Lunacee_2013
(529 posts)are still trying to make things difficult for the LGBT community, TT. I don't live in Plano, but I'm not that far away and I have LGBT friends and family members who do live around there. Who the hell do they think they are? Who are they to tell other adults how to spend their lives? Or who they can spend it with?
Doesn't shit like this just make you wanna go upside their heads while screaming "Yes! You do have to treat everybody the same, especially if you're a business, because LGBT PEOPLE PAY TAXES, just like everyone else." I don't really care about the actual churches or other houses of worship, if they want to worship alone, then I say we let them. I don't want to be near their hate-cooties anyway. But the businesses depend on our water system, our electrical grid, our roads, which everyone contributes to by paying taxes.
Gawd, they are so tone deaf! Screeching about their rights, all while trying to take other's away. If anyone's out there reading (and you're LGBT) just know that not everyone in Texas hates you. Some of us, maybe more than even I realize, are on your side.
Bagsgroove
(231 posts)I live in the deepest reddest part of Virginia, and some of my neighbors are a bit wary of "that gay guy down the road." But some of them have treated me like family. Even the most conservative places do still have a few good and gentle people. Nice post.
Bagsgroove
(231 posts)A few years ago "The Rev." Fred Phelps and his little band of bigots held a demonstration in Blacksburg Va, near where I live. One of the things that touched me was that there was a counter demonstration organized and manned by local Christian clergy. They held up signs saying "God hates NO ONE" and "God loves EVERYONE."
I can get down on religion sometimes, but it is nice to know that some Christians have actually taken the message of Jesus to heart.
TexasTowelie
(112,252 posts)The group of 80 pastors are siding Welch in supporting the repeal of the local ordinance so that they support discrimination of the LGBT community. Just wanted to clear up things for you.
Bagsgroove
(231 posts)That's why I titled my response "Not all pastors are alike."