June 19, 2000
Homosexual protesters arrested at SBC
___ORLANDO, Fla. (ABP)--Twenty-seven people were arrested June 14 outside the meeting hall for the Southern Baptist Convention while protesting Southern Baptists' characterization of homosexual activity as a sin.
___This was the second demonstration this year by Soulforce outside a denomination's national meeting. A month earlier, 191 Soulforce demonstrators were arrested in Clevelandat the United Methodist Church's general conference.
SUPPORTERS of the gay advocacy group Soulforce protest outside the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando/
___In an event as peaceful as it was choreographed, about the only unexpected action came when four members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals also were arrested for failing to leave the area during protest.
___Along with the gay protesters, police hauled off to jail a man dressed up as Jesus and another wearing a yellow chicken suit. Both had been present outside the Orange County Convention Center for days, attempting to convince messengers that Jesus was a vegetarian. Because they remained in the midst of the gay protest, they too were arrested.
___Soulforce organizer Mel White said his demonstration was seeking acceptance for gay and lesbian Christians by Southern Baptist churches.
___"We're looking simply for the Southern Baptists--and for the other churches--to say, 'Hey, you're welcome here too. We're all sinners here at the foot of the cross,'" said White, a former evangelical film producer and ghostwriter for Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell.
___"They say, 'We're sinners, but we're saved. You're sinners, and you won't get saved until you get your sexual orientation changed," White said.
___At about the same time as the arrests, Southern Baptists were approving changes to the Baptist Faith & Message doctrinal statement, which included adding homosexuality to a list of sins Christians should oppose.
___Before that morning's business session, members of some gay-rehabilitation organizations passed out statements of thanks to Southern Baptists for their stand. "Southern Baptists are giving increased attention to a redemptive message concerning homosexuality," said a printed statement from Bertie Barber, director of Eleutheros in Winter Park, Fla.
___But demonstrator Richard Murphy from Miami said Soulforce speaks for all the "closeted" Southern Baptists who he said suffer because of the denomination's stance on homosexuality.
___"I don't believe my Jesus Christ sacrificed his life for that situation," Murphy said.
___In an event coordinated with the Orange County Sheriff's Office, more than 50 members of SoulForce held a silent vigil at 9 a.m. June 14 across the street from the Orange County Convention Center. At 9:25 a.m., about half the group marched into an open plaza singing and humming hymns, where they were ordered to disband by a member of the county sheriff's office. The group replied by singing "We Shall Overcome."
___White said the group originally had 200 volunteers to demonstrate, but a fear of high fines and a possible jail sentence of 60 days caused them to plan for only 25 arrests. "It's just too steep for people who are not trained and experienced," he said.
___When the group didn't disband, sheriff's deputies moved in, taking away demonstrators, placing plastic tie-wrap handcuffs on them and putting them in a van.
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