Gay Group To Protest at MLK Service

[Adamocrat]

Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution

Members of metro Atlanta’s gay community plan to protest when the Rev. Rick Warren speaks during the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church Monday.

“Having Rick Warren speak is an affront to the civil rights movement and its tone of unity,” said Todd Vierling of Atlanta, who is helping organize the protest. “We are all in the same fight for equal rights for everybody.”

Read more: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2009/01/13/gays_protest_warren.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab

---

The "Gay Group To Protest at MLK Service" is the "front page" headline.

For more info, and to see that we're not the Klan, please see:

http://www.glbtatl.org

Gotta love that spin!

[goforit]

1. Enough is enough. Being rabid like RW republicans does resolve one thing!

[mitchtv]

46. shut up and sit down?

that'll be the day

[Paul Giulani]

107. Just a thought...maybe it's time...

...for Americans (including gay Americans) to aside some of our hostilities toward other people, even those who have wronged us. If Rick Warren can be treated with respect and love, as President Obama clearly wants to do, then perhaps Warren will return that respect and love towards others, including gays. Isn't this a time for transcendence over the differences that divide us?

[No Elephants]

87. Who's rabid? Warren? What's rabid? Non-violent demonstrations like those MLK led?

[IndianaGreen]

111. Too bad that LGBTs standing up for their rights pushes you out of your comfort zone

You'll get over it!

[YOY]

2. Not too sure if this won't backfire badly.

n.t.

[Adamocrat]

4. Backfire how?

As I've been saying over and over, Warren is hateful and divisive. He has no place preaching from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s pulpit, let alone giving the Keynote Address on MLK Day. He is desecrating Dr. King's pulpit. I'll keep shouting it from the rooftops.

The Atlanta Black GLBT Coalition will be there along with , Soul Force, World Can't Wait, and LGBT and Gay-Straight Alliances from schools all over the area. This is the wrong place (Dr. King's own pulpit) at the wrong time (MLK Day) in Atlanta.

[YOY]

5. People might not see it that way.

Just a word of advice. I really don't think this is a good idea. As much of an asshole as Warren is, it needs to be said by someone else and not by gays and lesbians of any color on that day in that place.

[Adamocrat]

6. If not LGBT people, then who and when?

Seriously, there is only ONE Civil Rights Movement, and we're all in it together. I'm sure someone will dismiss this out of hand, but Dr. King wouldn't shy away from a bigot like Rick Warren. Atlanta's Black LGBT Coalition, GLBTATL.org, and other groups have been meeting about this for the past few weeks, and we all realize that we have to confront this head-on.

Again, Rick Warren has no place preaching from Dr. King's pulpit.

[YOY]

7. Well OK. Try. I truly 100% hope it works for the better.

But bigots have a nasty way of turning things around and whining of being persecuted under the right circumstances.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mitchtv]

47. we have no one else

and you know it Case in point DU

[YOY]

50. I'm on your side as are many here.

I just don't want this to backfire. It could.

[mitchtv]

52. backfire means nothing when you aready have nothing

[YOY]

53. Backfire means backfire. More inroads and protests need to be made of course.

But a backfire means losing people who are coming around. They have been: Hawaii and New Jersey come to mind.

You have gained more than you think. You really have. There is much more to be gained though and sitting around will do nothing I grant you this wholeheartedly...but we (I wish to speak in solidarity) need to choose battles and battlegrounds wisely.

Like I said to the OP in a manner, bigots have a funny way of cowering behind much greater men and causes than themselves.

[tvierling]

57. We've been quiet for the last eight years; how's that been working out for you?

Were you actively marching on the National Mall with the many hundreds of thousands of us at the end April of 2000? That was real progress, real promise, and real momentum towards national unity. My partner Adam, "Adamocrat" here, happened to be the Associated Press's feature quote on the front page of nearly every newspaper in the country on May 1 (hard to find now, but still in circulation):

http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/05-00/05-01-00/a02wn013.htm

Of course, the election fiasco at the end of 2000 made all that progress go downhill fast.

Yes, there has been some recent slow progress in certain areas of the country, but we lost a lot of steam. A decade after Matthew Shepard's death, gay bashing -- just another form of what was called lynching in another era of hate against another minority -- is alive and well in many parts of the country, and hasn't shown real signs of slowing.

We may have taken one step forward, but only retracing the many steps we were pushed backwards over the last 8 years. The media is finally swinging back a little bit, so now is the opportunity to call out the intolerant bigots for who they are. Be proud AND LOUD.

[YOY]

58. You're preaching to the choir.

You're angry at the wrong straight man (me). I am not telling you to be quiet at all!

I'm all for angry protests...and know well the Mathew Sheppard story...poor kid. I'm just saying "choose your battles."

Pointing out Mormons and RW Catholics to be bigots is one thing in retailiation of that Prop 8 BS. You can win those battles solidly.

Now, inroads in getting the (Generally Liberal) African American community to warm up to gay rights? Gotta be more cautious.

As for 2000...I wasn't in the country. I was serving my country in the Peace Corps. So was my friend Joe (quite gay) a few towns over. I don't think that means either of us was not in agreement with you nor ignorant of the situation.

[tvierling]

60. Demographic generalizations aren't always true.

While the African American community generally supports the Democratic Party positions, in Atlanta and much of the rest of the South, the community is also connected to a large number of evangelical churches. As an example of the churches' influence: Georgia's marriage ban amendment in 2004 passed Clayton County by a pretty large margin. That semi-large county (about 250,000 in 2004) has an African American majority; the county voted for Kerry 70%/29%, yet voted for the marriage ban amendment 77%/23%.

http://sos.georgia.gov/ELECTIONS/election_results/2004_1102/precincts.htm

As I mentioned in a different reply: There will be a sizable, if not a majority, African-American contingent at the protest. GLBTATL has been working directly with Atlanta's Black LGBT Coalition to ensure a unified/harmonious message.

So yes, we're choosing our battles. This one was chosen very carefully.

[mitchtv]

66. you gotta realize w;here the leadership lies... with us

allies are only that. There will be nowhere safe for Rick Warren. Victory comes to those who fight, not to the timid. That doesn;t mean we'll always win either. I am confident we won;t lose , The time has come and it is now, "Get out of the way if you can;t lend a hand for the times they are a changing"

[YOY]

81. Like I said to Adamcrat, I hope this particular protest works out in the positive way.

However, I am not going to underestimate the power of the corporate media to spin this in a negative light.

[BoneDaddy]

69. stop..stop...

you are making too much sense.

[YOY]

80. They are angry and have every right to be.

But I gotta tell you that fanning the flames won't help. No offense intended but it really seems that you are.

[TheWraith]

89. "have nothing"? Look around you, man.

The signs of progress are everywhere. We're winning.

[mitchtv]

96. what you mean we?

the progress doesn't come from following you counterproductive sdvice to get to the back of the bus and shut up.

[Le Taz Hot]

73. Wait a minute.

Don't throw us all out. I've been out in front on this issue, on DU and IRL FOR YEARS. Be careful to not alienate your allies.

[RCinBrooklyn]

55. WOW! The level of ignorance and arrogance in that post is astonishing.

[YOY]

56. Really?

I suggest you go to the GLBT and scream what a homophobe YOY is.

Really. Do it while you're up on your "ignorant and arrogant" tower.

I'm sure they won't laugh too hard at you.

[RCinBrooklyn]

61. I didn't claim that anyone was homophobic; just an apparent asshole.

[YOY]

72. Really?

That's a precious little opinion. Welcome to DU. You won't last long here with it.

[merh]

77. Are you kidding me? MLKjr would have organized just such a protest

You have got to be out of your mind if you think he or his wife would have allowed this type of hate.

Warren speaking at this event is disrespecting MLKjr - it is a slap in the face - everything he stood for and against wrapped up in a faux man of god. MLKjr spoke of love and acceptance, CIVL RIGHTS FOR ALL

MLKjr would be a protester at the event if he were alive.

[YOY]

79. I am certain they would as well.

But how soon the general public forgets. He is not here to lead them anymore sadly, and I am not too sure if there is a strong enough voice INSIDE that old school group of equal rights fighters who can sway things, but the INSIDE is where a more powerful and uniting change could be enacted.

Perhaps I mispoke or you misread me. I am pretty damn sure that Dr. King would not have put up with hate and fake Christians like Jeffs.

[merh]

86. And he would be protesting this.

I agree there isn't a strong presence like MLKjr, but that doesn't negate the efforts of those who are leading and trying nor does it mandate they stop protesting and making their voices heard.

More voices need to be heard.

Realistically, it won't be until a gay couple's rights have been abridged and they take the matter all the way to SCOTUS, like the Lovings did, before the governments, fed/state, take their obligations seriously and pass laws that allow for same sex marriage. Until then, the more people protesting the injustice and those supporting it the better.

[islandmkl]

3. should be real helpful in making inroads in the black community...

kind of a politics 101 lesson: the snub you intend may not be the snub taken...

on edit: i don't need to see 'what would Martin do?' as some rationale....

[Ian David]

13. Get over it. n/t

[FreeState]

32. There are no gay blacks in Atlanta? Thats news to me...

http://www.inthelifeatl.com/

[marimour]

45. lol exactly. Atlanta is like the black gay mecca

I kinda see the point that a bunch of white protestors might look like they are disrupting MLK day more than anything, but I'm glad that the Black GLBT alliance will be there as well to put a different face on the protest. Thats why I will be there too.

[EFerrari]

8. Good.

[xchrom]

9. man there are some seriously fucked up replies in this thread. nt

[Adamocrat]

10. Shocked the hell out of me.

From the misleading headline to the defeatist attitude(s) it's no wonder people let Rick Warren get away with equating gays to pedophiles and incestuous couples. Wow. I'm glad that people here in Atlanta are fired up because we're standing together on this.

Edit: Sorry, had to swap zoophiles with incestuous couples.

[xchrom]

11. no kidding, huh? this thread reveals the depth of 'soft bigotry' around here.

it's fuckin all over.

[BoneDaddy]

17. "soft bigotry"

code for if we happen to disagree with your actions, then we are labeled bigots. How bout you and those responsible for protesting at an MLK event have some real bad fucking timing and that is not the appropriate venue as you may alienate the very people you need for your cause.

[noiretextatique]

23. in atlanta, i am sure many of the protestors will be african-american

gays and lesbians. i doubt they will be alienated.

[BoneDaddy]

68. and many will not

and you will end up getting the opposite of what you want. There is very little thought put into this. Pretty much all I see in DU on issues like this is the equivalent of my screaming three year old throwing a tantrum cause he doesn't immediately get what he wants.

[tvierling]

76. The sky isn't falling...

...and you obviously don't live in Atlanta. This has been in planning with a group of all races for a month and a half, and you're snap-judging over one day. Please take your fearmongering and go somewhere else.

[noiretextatique]

88. al sharpton spoke out about religious homophobes

in atlanta. perhaps you should tell him about the harm he's doing by acting like a screaming 3 year old. your callous dismissal of people's legitimate concerns is appalling.

[superconnected]

18. It's not really soft biggotry as fear that coming on strong in the wrong places will make people go

backwards on the cause.

In order for Gays to get equal rights it's going to take straights and gays to get them there and that includes Christians that normally have nothing to do with Gays.

That means diplomacy with the religious. Yes warren is wrong, but turning Christians against the Gays will not serve the gays. It will bury the hatchet on why that proposition passed.

It's best to handle this intelligently, diplomatically, and with care. This article sound like the gays are going to go in stupidly just to stir up problems. Great, align the Christians who read about it against them. Sounds like the opposite of what the Gays should be doing - spreading the positive message of why gays should be accepted - fairness, tolerance, it's not what sex the person is but how you feel about them that counts. My church taught that God didn't care if you were straight or gay or masterbated etc. He cared about how you treated others. That's the kind of things the Gays need to continue saying (the last church I attended had a gay minister and yes it was the UCC). I really believe that the positive message is why half of the people support gay marriage now.

[Jamastiene]

22. Those uppity gays causing all those problems...

That's the shittiest attitude I have ever seen on this board.

[superconnected]

95. I think anyone who was intelligent wouldn't have read my post that way.

You see what you want. You want to see gay hatred.

And I don't want to read imbecilic posts that try to get something out of my words that aren't there. So removed from my view you go.

[mitchtv]

67. stupidly eh? are you planning on telling us when the righi time is?

The problem is already a festering wound your concern is noted

[superconnected]

97. Gee brains, maybe the time is now but with a better message.

What are you anyway - 15?

The idea is turn the country to thinking gays deserve every right of marriage as straights do, and not that gays are insolent pricks who just want to shout and cause problems.

Luckily there are gays who can protest appropriately and gain supporters. The whole only cause a stir approach ie the burn down your own neighborhood approach has never seemed to work.

I think if things were said intelligently people will rethink their vote next time. But if it ends up just being a bunch of belligerent homos wanting to cause problems for businesses and church meegings, they're not going to get do anything but lose what progressive ground they've gained so far.

[mitchtv]

100. maybe we should just turn the movement over to

the beneficient strate community and they(you) can show us what and when to . You got one thing right , belligerent

[superconnected]

103. I'm not going to even look "strate" up.

If you don't get my point, which is what many others here are pointing out, then I can't help you see it. See what you want. If you want to see gays as being muzzled when others suggest they don't stupidly act belligerent than that's what you see. Go burn down your own neighborhood in protest now.

[mitchtv]

106. maybe I should have use Strait

others should have no say

[xchrom]

71. you have got to be kidding me?

would you have told african american not to break the rules and sit at whites only lunch counters?

[superconnected]

94. I'd have told them not to walk into a restaurant and cause problems just to cause problems.

I would tell them to have a positive message, don't just turn over the tables.

[Neecy]

98. I'm always suspicious of people who call us 'the gays'

[LostinVA]

39. Seriously

And, I thought we were supposed to DO SOMETHING!?

[TechBear_Seattle]

78. Why are you surprised? This is Democratic Underground, after all

Seriously fucked up replies in response to GLBT issues is standard operating procedure.

[Ian David]

12. Not your fault, but the headline is misleading.

Should be, "Gay Group to Protest Rick Warren Speaking at MLK Service."

[Adamocrat]

16. That was the point...

The AJC has "Gay group to protest at MLK service" on the front page of their site. They intend for it to read as confrontational.

[FreeState]

28. Thats not the articles title on the link - can you change it please?

The title on the link is "Gay group to protest Warren’s MLK service"

[Adamocrat]

33. The front page of the AJC site reads just that...

If you need it changed, well, that's what the link I went through says, and it is combative and wrong. However, that is exactly what the title of the article on the front page says.

[FreeState]

34. Then you should link to that page - where that title appears

"Use the EXACT TITLE of the article you are posting, without additional comment. If there is no title yet, be descriptive."

[Adamocrat]

36. See below...

[FreeState]

37. I saw that but LBN forum rules state to post the article TITLE

not what its called on a shortened title used for a link on another page.

Its your post - you can do what you want but a lot of people are reading the headline only and not seeing this is a protest of Warren not MLK.

[Adamocrat]

38. The editing period has expired...

There, I tried...

That is the headline they used when it was first posted. They changed it to something worse, and then they changed it again.

So will a moderator please change the title at his/her convenience?

[Shiver]

14. My one fear on this...

...is that some conservatives may try and spin it to the GLBT community protesting the Martin Luther King Service, and not exclusively Rick Warren. I think that is was the person up-thread was saying about this possibly not being such a good idea. They have to make sure that their message is clear, in no uncertain terms, that the protest is aimed at Warren speaking at a commemorative service for a renowned and beloved civil rights leader, and not a protest of MLK or his legacy.

They have to be absolutely clear on the reason they are there, or it can be used by the opposition to further the 'gays vs. blacks' meme that arose from Prop 8.

[yardwork]

42. Most of the protesters at the event will probably be African American.

I'm astounded by the number of posts in this thread that seem to think that all gay people are white.

[Shiver]

65. That's what I get for posting while half-asleep

I miss the obvious stuff. Still, it'd be incredibly easy for the cameras to somehow "miss" the non-white protesters...

[Lucky 13]

19. I think this will backfire badly.

People aren't being smart about this. We need to do some better strategizing as a community.

[mitchtv]

49. your concern is noted

should we just shut up?

[Lucky 13]

85. No, but there are better ways to go about this.

Right now I feel the gay community is just flailing, lashing out at people, and not exactly making allies. Sometimes the response to a loss (like prop 8) can be more damaging than the loss itself. We need to strategize and come up with a coherent plan of action to actually accomplish something instead of just pissing people off who would otherwise be on our side.

[mitchtv]

90. beats sitting by and doing nothing

which is your alternative. PS they are not otherwise on our side, otherwise they wouldn't be invitinng Rick Warren they are at best many many fence sitters. No one GIVES you rights, You take them , even if you step on some toes. Warren 's behavior in Africa is disgraceful, and a lot of attention needs to be drawn to it and his trouble making with ths Episcopalians. The Organizers in ATL have taken pains to present a respectful Demo and make sure all know who is the target , and who is doing the defiling of Rev King's pulpit.

[Lucky 13]

104. Can you read? Sitting by and doing nothing is not my alternative.

If you read my post you'd notice that I said that the gay community needs to get together and formulate some sort of STRATEGY. Do the work of organizing, fundraising, and figuring out how to change laws, legislation, etc. That would be MUCH more effective than protesting at a ceremony remembering Dr. King. What are you hoping to accomplish? What are your goals? To let them know you are angry? I'm sure you have made that clear to them already. So then what, precisely, is the point of this?

Here is some very sad news: Rick Warren didn't pass Prop 8. A majority of voters in California did. And the majority of voters in other states did the same. That means there is a TON more voter education, outreach, fundraising, petitioning, etc. to be done. But I guess it's much more fun to show up at a big event with signs and scream in the street than it is to do the actual, sometimes tedious, hard work involved in creating change and leading a movement.

As I said in my previous post, it's become apparent that the gay community right now is directionless and flailing. We are burning energy and resources on shit like this that will make absolutely no difference. Do you really think protesting RICK WARREN is going to win us RIGHTS? The two things do not equate.

Decisions are being made based upon extreme emotions. But if we want to get ANYTHING changed, we've gotta start using our heads, not just our hearts.

[superconnected]

105. Frustrating dealing with people on the mental level of 15, isn't it?

I figure if these brains got to run the gay movement everyone would have to go back in the closet by 2010.

I should quit reading the thread. An idiot acting like they are muzzled if they can't just go cause problems isn't really worth wasting my breath on. It's like speaking to people who would rather set cars on fire and break windows than say, build bridges.

[Lucky 13]

108. People are thinking with their hearts, not their heads.

We need to get people refocused on work that will actually make a difference. Following Rick Warren around, protesting him wherever he goes, only legitimizes him and gets him attention... and doesn't endear any on-the-fence voters to our cause.

[Omaha Steve]

20. Bravo for GLBT (civil) rights from a MLK fan

My life was touched by Dr. King long after he was taken from us. In his talks with Bobbi Kennedy about integrating the government, he suggested Howard Jenkins Jr. for the NLRB board. In 1982 Mr. NLRB wrote a brilliant opinion on how I was illegally fired. It won my case 14 years after Dr. King lost his life in support of striking AFSCME Sanitation workers in Memphis. AFSCME is my union btw.

My case file: http://www.nlrb.gov/shared_files/Board%20Decisions/261/261-38.pdf

Just 10 days ago or so, I posted in the GLBT Forum about 2 friends Marta and I have lost to suicide. My feelings are this is correct to protest peacefully. Much like the tossing of tea into Boston Harbor.

I wish I could be there too.

Read about Dr. King and the Memphis Sanitation strike: http://www.afscme.org/about/1029.cfm

[Jamastiene]

24. ...

:hug:

[EmeraldCityGrl]

21. Ummm...someone needs to rethink this one.

[noiretextatique]

25. i totally support the protest

:applause: if i was there, i'd be protesting myself. i am sure my nephew will be there.

[Adamocrat]

26. Let him know where to find us (see above).

Just in case anyone thinks we're being disrespectful, this is the main image we'll be using to express our "concern" (minus the protest Warren text). If anyone finds that offensive, then it's probably a good idea to go back to your knitting group or kitteh pictures. Where you live things may be a little different, but Atlanta is the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement. A great many of us from all races and all walks of life are aghast that Rick Warren will be allowed to preach from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s pulpit. This is like letting a Grand Wizard preach from Ebenezer Baptist's pulpit. This sort of thing is just unheard of.

We plan to take direct action, peaceful action, and protest in the spirit of Dr. King's Dream. I thought that DU would actually be appalled by the combative headline, not attack GLBT people for standing up to a bigot. Times have really changed here.

Peace!

[noiretextatique]

27. will do adamocrat...thanks

:hi: i appreciate your efforts.

[roody]

29. Hooray for the gay group!

[LeftyMom]

30. Good.

"I believe all Americans who believe in freedom, tolerance and human rights have a responsibility to oppose bigotry and prejudice based on sexual orientation." -Coretta Scott King

[closeupready]

48. DU Homophobes, please take note of the quote in LeftyMom's post.

n/t

[Mad_Dem_X]

91. Excellent quote! Until we have equal rights for all

the people of this country will never truly be free.

I am a straight, white woman, and I am appalled at the homophobia displayed in some of the posts on this thread. Civil rights - human rights - are for EVERYONE, not just those who are straight!

[ruggerson]

31. CHANGE YOUR TITLE

it's not the AJC title in the link.

[Adamocrat]

35. What does this say?

[ruggerson]

40. Click on your link

Gay group to protest Warren’s MLK service

[David__77]

41. Only Black gays and lesbians should demonstrate.

This would be far better. Blacks should take the lead in opposing Black anti-gay chauvinism and gays should take the lead in opposing gay racism.

[yardwork]

43. Isn't Rick Warren white? I thought that that was who they are going to be protesting.

As has been noted throughout this thread, the title is misleading. The coalition of gay groups in Atlanta will be protesting Rick Warren's being honored at the MLK festivities. Presumably most of the gay folks protesting will be black. In any case, the person they're protesting is Rick Warren.

[tvierling]

44. ...and that's not a racist way of handling it?

As the one who was quoted by AJC, I'll repeat my words: There is only one Civil Rights Movement. We are all in the same fight for equal rights for everybody.

It is not limited to race, or gender, or sexual orientation. We are all in the same fight. If we don't all participate, we will all continue to lose.

(Edit: There will be a sizable, if not a majority, African-American contingent at the protest. GLBTATL has been working directly with Atlanta's Black LGBT Coalition to ensure a unified/harmonious message.)

[David__77]

64. No it's not racist.

Racism is institutionalized white supremacy. What I am suggesting is good tactical politics. Blacks protesting a white bigot sullying the name of the Black civil rights leader.

[tvierling]

75. Racism is simply exclusion.

If there's one thing Atlanta media loves the most, it's "black on black hate". Atlanta's Black LGBT Coalition knows this only too well, so they are working with white LGBT leaders to form a protest where everyone is included. That's the real message behind Dr. King's vision.

Go back and re-watch footage of Dr. King marching or speaking. Do you see only African American faces there?

[IndianaGreen]

112. When Jews marched, and died, against segregation

no one came around to tell us it was inappropriate to get involved.

You are not going to split the LGBT community along racial lines! LGBTs are all united in favour of equality under the law.

[mitchtv]

51. sorry about all the "concern" and downright hostility

to your post, tho not suprising, keep rocking the boat, we shall overcome. To the naysayers, tough shi.tNObody; is free till we all are. Backfire means nothing when you got nothing to lose

[booley]

54. This could back fire. Look at the thread title

Gay Groups protest MLK Service
and that's what to many will see. Not gay s protesting a choad who richly deserves it (Warren) but King who would have been on the Gay Rights Side.

Not saying we should do nothing. But we also need to be aware of what could happen.

[tvierling]

59. See other replies -- article's revised title mentions Warren, but didn't when it first appeared

...but the editing window for the original post expired before the title was changed (and the "bad" title was still featured as such on AJC's homepage for some time).

[booley]

62. the tie was just an example

Too many people will probably see this as an attack on King, not Warren. Whether they see this particular headline won't matter.

And you know there will be plenty in the media who will spin it this way.

Yes the actual article mentions Warren. But how much you want to bet lots of people will still only read "Gay group to protest ..... MLK service"?

[EFerrari]

63. Somone should point out to the organizers of the MLK service

that Warren is promoting the suffering and early deaths of black Africans by pushing his abstinence only bullshit into his so called "AIDs work" there and discouraging the use of condoms. Seriously, what in the WORLD are these people thinking.

[tvierling]

74. We already know, and that has been mentioned to the officials involved. (n/t)

[EFerrari]

93. Good. Warren, as I commented to Bluebear, is the complete package.

It's only a matter of time until someone digs up some horrible racist remark of his. But, his actions are already loud enough.

[booley]

110. it's not the officials we have ot worry about

All protest is PR.

[mitchtv]

102. Back fire- give assholes and opportunity to openly hate gays

more than they do already, a reason to tell us with violence to shut up this thread shows you the hateful backlash beginning by homo haters and lying progrssives

[Le Taz Hot]

70. I know you didn't write it

but that headline is misleading. They're protesting the not-so-honorable Reverend Warren not the MLK commemoration.

[Starry Messenger]

82. Kudos to you and your partner for putting this together!

Sorry the newspaper messed around with the headline. I hope you will report back with news and photos of your awesome looking event. The sign is beautiful. If you see Warren give him an extra boo for me from California!

[Adamocrat]

83. Actually, we only assisted...

Jeff Schade, a 23 year-old guy (kid by my age) who organized the 1,500 people for the Prop 8 rally at the Capitol has been our lead organizer. He's got the fire of Harvey Milk, the spirit of Dr. King, and the fight of Stonewall in him, I tell ya. (His family disowned him, and that kind of abuse can create a real leader.)

He's about to have his first Reich Wing radio interview this morning, so send out good vibes. ;-)

[Starry Messenger]

84. (((vibes))) to Jeff!

I hope he wore a little garlic, too. :) What a guy!

[marshall]

92. Have they run this by Berenice King?

They do realize what her stand is on the issue, don't they? Do they realize Coretta Scott King's funeral was also the venue for a protest because it was held in an African American church that was also deemed to be anti-gay?

[mitchtv]

99. thanks for the advice, only rev Warren was't at the funeral

iF WE WANTED TO PICKET ANTI GAY CHURCHES WE'LL BE SURE TO ASK YOUR ADVICE grow up

[marshall]

109. I'm just saying Berenice and the rest of the King family may not see it your way

And Warren isn't the monolithic model of all that is anti-gay.

But I do get your point, and bravo for expressing your view. But I just wouldn't expect any sudden turnaround from the target.

[foxfeet]

101. And yet if there is no protest, it will be viewed as tacit approval

of Warren's right to spew his venom, even if he does soft-pedal it. At the very least, there would be some in DU still asking the GLBT community to "provide some leadership and direction" and castigating us (even if they do soft-pedal it) for doing nothing.

Can we all at least agree that the people of Atlanta know their own local political landscape better than any of the rest of us and that they are in the best position to weigh the risk/benefit ratio of this particular action?