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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Rev Jenna Zirbel, 919.342.0897
MAY 25, 2012
OutRaleigh Clergy Denounces North Carolina Pastor’s Call for Confinement and Death of “Lesbian, Queers and Homosexuals”; Stands for Respect for Human Dignity
OutRaleigh Clergy denounces the homophobic hate speech of Pastor Charles L. Worley in Maiden, North Carolina, calling for the confinement of “lesbians, queers, and homosexuals” with the intent that “in a few years they’ll be dead because they cannot reproduce.” The pastor’s hate speech was from a service posted on the Providence Road Baptist Church’s website dated May 13, 2012.
Please find links below to the video:
http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Members-stand-behind-pastor-who-gave-homophobic-sermon-152735295.html
This hate speech goes beyond profession of faith beliefs to flagrantly suggesting acts of hate and violence that would deny a certain group of people their right to exist. This type of hate speech condones violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities. As religious leaders in North Carolina, OutRaleigh Clergy add our voices to the public outcry against this incident of derogatory and threatening hate speech. We believe in the scriptural message of love and inclusion, and support messaging that calls for respect for the human dignity of all.
This pastor’s posted message supports a culture of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people at a time when hate violence against LGBTQ people is on the rise as reported by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP). OutRaleigh Clergy, along with religious leaders from across the state and throughout our country, are working to break down the walls of hostility erected to divide people in order to build stronger, healthier community where we can all live, without fear of being targeted by hate violence.
ACTION STEPS
- Contact Support: OutRaleigh Clergy offer support and affirmation for LGBTQ people, their families and friends.
- Join: Martin Luther King, Jr’s vision of the “Beloved Community” by working toward a just and free society for all persons.
- Report Violence: The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) works to prevent, respond to, and end all forms of violence against and within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and HIV-affected (LGBTQH) communities. NCAVP is a national coalition of local member programs and affiliate organizations who create systemic and social change. NCAVP is a program of the New York City Anti-Violence Project. Anyone who has experienced violence is encouraged to contact a local anti-violence program. For help locating an anti-violence program in your area, please contact NCAVP. www.ncavp.org
Rev Jenna Zirbel, Minister of Rainbow Community Cares
The Reverend Brendan Y. Boone, Senior Pastor, St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church
The Reverend Wanda Y. Floyd, Pastor for Congregational Life, St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church
The Reverend Carlton D. M. Rutherford, Pastor for Congregational Care, St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church
Rev Stephen Halstead pastorsteve@upucc.org
Rev John L. Saxon Connections@uufr.org
[This release is a product of OutRaleigh Clergy, a group of clergy organized to address incidents of hate violence speech and action, increasing resources enhancing the safety, power and supportive services of the LGBTQ community at a time when hate violence due to anti-LGBTQ biases are increasing as a result of religious intolerance.]
©Rainbow Community Cares, Inc. 2011