QUOTE
"Minister speaks at gay rights rally in Philly
The Associated Press
By Janice Podsada
PHILADELPHIA -- Hundreds of gay rights supporters crowded into a historic church near Independence Hall to hear gay minister Irene "Beth" Stroud and the Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop call for an end to discrimination against gays and lesbians.
Stroud, who was defrocked after she told her Philadelphia congregation that she was in a relationship with another woman, was reinstated by a Methodist court last week. The decision could be overturned if leaders with the United Methodist Church decide to appeal.
"Other faith traditions out there have tried to shut us down and tell us we're not worthy," said Stroud, speaking along with New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson at an interfaith service in Christ Church. "I pray for a day when no one will experience discrimination."
Outside, about 25 protesters, including members of the conservative Christian group Repent America, protested throughout Sunday's daylong celebration of gay rights.
Jim Deferio, 54, of Syracuse, N.Y., who took part in the protest, said he came to encourage those attending to turn away from homosexuality and toward God.
"I didn't drive all this way to hate people," Deferio said.
Earlier in the day, several thousand gay-rights supporters converged on Independence Hall to celebrate the 40th anniversary of what some have called the first gay rights demonstration.
On July 4, 1965, a group of 40 protesters marched in front of Independence Hall to denounce public policies that labeled gays as mentally ill and a national security risk. The demonstration came four years before the Stonewall Riots in New York City, considered by many to have launched the equal rights movement for gays.
"They were brave. They were defiant, and they launched our civil rights movement" said Michael Williams, who heads Philadelphia's Minority Business Enterprise Council.
Sunday's event, organized by Equality Forum, a gay civil rights group, included a tribute to 40 people for challenging social conventions or laws that discriminated against gays and lesbians.
Among those honored were Frank Kameny, 79, of Washington, D.C., who organized the 1965 rally, as well as Kevin Bourassa, 46, and Joe Varnell, 35, a Toronto couple who successfully challenged Canada's ban against same-sex marriage.
Also honored was retired Col. Margarethe Cammermeyer, of Whidbey Island, Wash., a decorated Vietnam veteran who challenged the military's policy on gays in 1991.
"I'm here for those who are (serving) or have served in the military in silence," said Cammermeyer, who arrived in her Army uniform.
Malcolm Lazin, executive director of Equality Forum, which is based in Philadelphia, had hoped to unveil a state-approved historical marker Sunday naming Independence Hall as the birthplace of gay rights, a designation disputed by some historians.
But the group's spokesman, Dan Wagner, said the marker, approved by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in March, won't be ready until June. It is to be placed near the site of the 1965 protest at Independence Hall.
Repent America's protest was in turn countered by members of the Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia, who described themselves as an inclusive Christian community, and who carried signs that included rainbows and religious messages.
"You can be Christian and gay," said Al Flemming, 31, of Wilmington, Del. "God doesn't hate anyone he created. We were all made by Him.""
http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/11540866.htm
The Associated Press
By Janice Podsada
PHILADELPHIA -- Hundreds of gay rights supporters crowded into a historic church near Independence Hall to hear gay minister Irene "Beth" Stroud and the Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop call for an end to discrimination against gays and lesbians.
Stroud, who was defrocked after she told her Philadelphia congregation that she was in a relationship with another woman, was reinstated by a Methodist court last week. The decision could be overturned if leaders with the United Methodist Church decide to appeal.
"Other faith traditions out there have tried to shut us down and tell us we're not worthy," said Stroud, speaking along with New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson at an interfaith service in Christ Church. "I pray for a day when no one will experience discrimination."
Outside, about 25 protesters, including members of the conservative Christian group Repent America, protested throughout Sunday's daylong celebration of gay rights.
Jim Deferio, 54, of Syracuse, N.Y., who took part in the protest, said he came to encourage those attending to turn away from homosexuality and toward God.
"I didn't drive all this way to hate people," Deferio said.
Earlier in the day, several thousand gay-rights supporters converged on Independence Hall to celebrate the 40th anniversary of what some have called the first gay rights demonstration.
On July 4, 1965, a group of 40 protesters marched in front of Independence Hall to denounce public policies that labeled gays as mentally ill and a national security risk. The demonstration came four years before the Stonewall Riots in New York City, considered by many to have launched the equal rights movement for gays.
"They were brave. They were defiant, and they launched our civil rights movement" said Michael Williams, who heads Philadelphia's Minority Business Enterprise Council.
Sunday's event, organized by Equality Forum, a gay civil rights group, included a tribute to 40 people for challenging social conventions or laws that discriminated against gays and lesbians.
Among those honored were Frank Kameny, 79, of Washington, D.C., who organized the 1965 rally, as well as Kevin Bourassa, 46, and Joe Varnell, 35, a Toronto couple who successfully challenged Canada's ban against same-sex marriage.
Also honored was retired Col. Margarethe Cammermeyer, of Whidbey Island, Wash., a decorated Vietnam veteran who challenged the military's policy on gays in 1991.
"I'm here for those who are (serving) or have served in the military in silence," said Cammermeyer, who arrived in her Army uniform.
Malcolm Lazin, executive director of Equality Forum, which is based in Philadelphia, had hoped to unveil a state-approved historical marker Sunday naming Independence Hall as the birthplace of gay rights, a designation disputed by some historians.
But the group's spokesman, Dan Wagner, said the marker, approved by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in March, won't be ready until June. It is to be placed near the site of the 1965 protest at Independence Hall.
Repent America's protest was in turn countered by members of the Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia, who described themselves as an inclusive Christian community, and who carried signs that included rainbows and religious messages.
"You can be Christian and gay," said Al Flemming, 31, of Wilmington, Del. "God doesn't hate anyone he created. We were all made by Him.""
http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/11540866.htm