Hampton Roads Homophobes Decry Passage of Hate Crimes Bill

Living in a social backwater like the Hampton Roads area of Virginia it comes as no surprise that some of the local homo-haters are whining and wetting themselves over the passage of the federal hate crimes bill that will soon be signed into law by President Obama. Among the local Christo-fascists quoted by the Virginian Pilot are Bishop E. W. Jackson Sr. (pictured at left), who runs a fundamentalist "ministry" in Chesapeake, and Gordon Robertson, the son of snake oil merchant, Pat Robertson. Both men preach anti-gay bigotry and espouse the "cure myth" that gays can change their sexual orientation. Never mind that the hate crimes bill does not penalize ministers unless they were to actively call for physical violence against LGBT citizens. As is all too typical, these professional Christians are very challenged when it comes to telling the truth. Surprisingly, one local Baptist minister welcomes the bills passage. My friend, Don King, who was a founder of HRBOR with me is also quoted. Here are some highlights:
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To Bishop E. W. Jackson Sr., homosexuality is sin, and he needs to preach about it. That's why he fears new legislation that puts sexual orientation under hate crimes protection. "We could find ourselves in a situation where we're accused of inciting someone," Jackson said of pastors who oppose homosexuality. "I am categorically opposed to the hate crimes bill."
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The legislation has language meant to preclude prosecution of anyone, including religious leaders, on the basis of speech or beliefs, but socially conservative clergy and religious groups say the bill threatens freedom of religious expression.
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Jackson, who leads Exodus Faith Ministries in Chesapeake, is against anti-gay violence, but he is worried that preaching against homosexuality could make a pastor liable for violence by anyone who heard his interpretation of Scripture. That prospect could lead clergy to avoid the topic, he said. "I do believe it will have a chilling effect on free speech."
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Gordon Robertson expressed a similar view, calling the bill "dangerous" on Friday while hosting "The 700 Club" on the Christian Broadcasting Network. CBN is based in Virginia Beach.
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The Rev. Steve Jolly of Freemason Street Baptist Church in Norfolk is among clergy who applauded extending hate-crimes protection to gays. "Violence born of hatred is doubly repugnant," he said. Jolly disputed that freedom of speech would be threatened or that pastors expressing their religious view of homosexuality would be culpable for violence by others.
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The bill's success in Congress was cheered by local gay-rights supporters, including Don King, who lives with his partner in Norfolk. "I did a little dance that it had finally come to fruition," said King, who works in real estate. "Maybe there might be some thought before people go out and do these horrific hate crimes."