Civil rights group threatens to fire local leader for gay marriage endorsement

[Ohio Joe]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-sclc11-2009jul11,0,1372647.story

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference has targeted the Rev. Eric P. Lee, president of the Los Angeles chapter, for his outspoken advocacy.

By Molly Hennessy-Fiske
July 11, 2009

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a civil rights group partly founded by Martin Luther King Jr., has threatened to fire the president of its Los Angeles chapter because he supports same-sex marriage.

The Rev. Eric P. Lee, president of the local SCLC chapter for two years, became an outspoken advocate of same-sex marriage during the recent campaign against Proposition 8, an amendment to the state Constitution that banned such unions.


The SCLC national board notified Lee on May 27 that he would have to attend a hearing at its Atlanta headquarters on June 4 to explain his stance on same-sex marriage. If he did not show up, they said, they would suspend and fire him
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I am sending a letter to Rev. Lee to let him know I appreciate his stand on equality. Contact information here:

http://sclclosangeles.org/revlee.htm

I encourage every to also let him know you appreciate his efforts, I think it is a vital thing to do for people like this.

[mitchtv]

1. I hope he is not left swingning in the wind

as I fear he will

[Ohio Joe]

2. Unfortunately, you are probably right - nt

[LeftyMom]

3. Wow.

It's amazing how many people don't get that whole "interlocking oppressions" idea. You'd think leaders in a well-respected national Civil Rights organization would. :(

Good for Rev. Lee for making a stand. :thumbsup: I'll try to remember to write.

[Ohio Joe]

4. It does seem like it should be a no brainer

I would really like to send my thoughts to The Southern Christian Leadership Conference but... honestly, I can't think of a way to do it without a lot of anger coming out or being wicked snarky or some such that would do more harm then good.

[tbyg52]

5. I don't think it would do more harm than good even if you did get angry/snarky

I *really* think it would do good if they got *lots*, basically saying the same thing. I'm off to put in my two cents.

http://www.sclcnational.org/net/write.aspx?s=2607.0.12.2607

[Ohio Joe]

6. You know... you are correct

The worst that could happen is they completely disregard it and being ignored has to be better then being silent. You are correct.

Thanks for the link!

[ThomCat]

7. Letter sent.

I hope they read it and consider our opinion on this.

[ThomCat]

8. I haven't received any response from my email to them.

:shrug:

[Ohio Joe]

9. Me either

of course... mine was not very nice :D