Fundie Preachers Caught in Sex Sting

Pam Spaulding beat me to the punch concerning two more "Godly Christian" preachers who got arrested in sweeps to pick up men soliciting for gay sex. In this day and age with the Internet and numerous ways to meet other guys if you are looking for sex, I CANNOT understand why anyone would solicit in a public place. In the wake of Lawrence v. Texas, the cops cannot bust you if you are in a private residence - well, unless you are in Raleigh, North Carolina, that is. Thus, are these preachers and those who look for sex in public places complete idiots or do they subconsciously want to get caught? It is also noteworthy that both men are members of notoriously anti-gay denominations. Why someone will remain active in a denomination that openly and consistently condemns gays is mind boggling. When I was coming out, one of the first things I did was leave the Roman Catholic Church.

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In the case of 48-year-old Jerome Pitchford, he is a long-time deacon of Milwaukee's Holy Redeemer Church of God in Christ. As for James L. Walls, Jr., who is also Mayor of District Heights, Maryland, he is the former Assistant Pastor of Greater Light Missionary Baptist Church and currently serves as the Associate Pastor of Forestville New Redeemer Baptist Church in Forestville, Maryland. I wonder how that pompous anti-gay windbag, Richard Land, of the SBC will try to sweep this incident under the rug?

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For the record, I feel sorry for the families of these men. Having a family member come out can be difficult enough, but having it happen in this manner with media headlines has got to be a nightmare. I truly long for the day when sexual orientation will be understood to an inherent part of a person and gays can just be who God made them to be. Here are some highlights on Deacon Pitchford from WISN 12 News (note how his neighbor thinks "a little therapy" might help):

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MILWAUKEE -- Police have been targeting Estabrook Park for years trying to stop men from soliciting sex from other men there. The latest suspect is 48-year-old Jerome Pitchford, long-time deacon of Milwaukee's Holy Redeemer Church of God in Christ. Police said Pitchford apparently does not practice what he teaches in Sunday School. Police say after church at the Holy Redeemer Church of God in Christ on Sunday afternoon, he was arrested and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior at Milwaukee's Estabrook Park. The criminal complaint says he was looking for sex with another man. He exposed himself, to what turned out to be an undercover police officer.

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“I just couldn't believe it and I was still wondering was it true, because I couldn't believe it cause he's such … a gentleman," said Bernice Sykes, Pitchford’s neighbor. He’s not only a gentleman, but a deacon, a youth counselor and mentor, says one parishioner who wanted to he heard but not seen. "I'm so speechless, i can't believe that," the parishioner said. "I can't believe it, but I hope that he will get … a little therapy and get himself straightened out,” Sykes said.

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As for Mayor Walls, who surprisingly is a Democrat as opposed to the usual GOP politico that gets picked up in these stings, the Washington Post has a story today. Here are some highlights on Mayor Walls' incredibly stupid conduct:

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The mayor of District Heights was arrested early yesterday in the District after allegedly offering an undercover male police officer $40 for sex in a known prostitution area, authorities said. James L. Walls Jr., 30, was arrested at 12:30 a.m. at Sixth and F streets NW, near Verizon Center. He was charged with solicitation for lewd and immoral purposes, police said. He was issued a citation and released.

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Walls, who is single, was known as a rising star among young Democrats in Prince George's County. He was the youngest person elected mayor of District Heights -- a community inside the Beltway with a population of about 6,000. He was elected mayor in May 2006; his term runs until 2010. He also serves as an associate minister at the Forestville New Redeemer Baptist Church and works for Fairmount Heights as town administrator, according to the District Heights Web site.

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The Rev. Nathaniel Thomas, pastor of Forestville New Redeemer Baptist Church, said he was stunned by the news. "I'm very, very shocked," Thomas said. "But we are praying for him. "I hope he will put a call to me so we can pray together. . . . I'm not passing judgment. We are innocent until proven guilty," Thomas said. He's been a delight," the pastor said, referring to the community work Walls has done with senior citizens. "I know this is going to be a shocker to the congregation."