Full Equality Now DC to Protest Ugandan Delegation at The Family's National Prayer Breakfast

Despite the efforts of the far right religious organization known as The Family and other Christianist organizations to disavow their role in fueling the proposed "kill the gays" legislation now pending in Uganda, their finger prints seem to be all over the matter. To help highlight the role that such organizations have played in exporting hatred to the African continent, two organizations, Full Equality Now DC and the American Prayer Hour are planning events in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere to protest The Family's National Prayer Breakfast and homophobia fueled by religious based bigotry. A press conference is planned at the National Press Club on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. Related events will include a protest and rally at The Family's C Street SE property, Wednesday, February 3, 2010, and its co-sponsorship of DC's American Prayer Hour, February 4, 2010, at 10 a.m., at Calvary Baptist Church on 8th Street NW. The following is a press release detailing the planned activities:
*
PRESS CONFERENCE ON FEBRUARY 2, 2010
Media Contact: Wayne Besen, www.truthwinsout.org, wbesen@gmail.com, 917-691-5118
Background: Uganda is considering the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009, put forth by parliamentarian David Bahati while being backed by President Yoweri Museveni. If passed, the new law would unleash a vicious campaign of persecution against LGBTQ citizens. Bahati and President Museveni are members of The Family and are among their “key men” in Africa. The Family hosts the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington. The American Prayer Hour will show that such cruelty and extremism does not represent most people of faith.
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 2, 2010, 10:30 a.m.
Location: National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, 13th Floor, Washington, DC
Speakers: Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church;
Frank Schaeffer, author, “Crazy For God: How I Grew Up
As One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right and Lived to Take
All of it Back;”
Harry Knox, The Human Rights Campaign, Director of Religion and Faith;
Moses, a gay Ugandan man seeking asylum in the United States;
Rev. Elder Darlene Garner, Metropolitan Community Church, Vice-Moderator/Board of Elders; and Bishop Carlton Pearson, Senior Minister at Chicago’s Christ Universal Temple.
More Information: www.americanprayerhour.org/press-conference/
*
C STREET RALLY & PROTEST ON FEBRUARY 3, 2010
Media Contact: Alison Gardner, abgm@comcast.net, 202-462-0048
Background: Full Equality Now DC rises in solidarity with LGBTQ Ugandans targeted by homophobic legislation being drafted by members of the “The Family,” a U.S.-led right wing group with more than 10,000 cells worldwide. Protest The Family’s homophobic and right-wing agenda!
Date and Time: Wednesday, February 3, 2010, 5:30 p.m.
Location: 133 C Street SE, Washington, DC
Sponsor: Full Equality Now DC
Co-Sponsor: Foreign Policy in Focus
More information: www.fullequalitynowdc.org
*
AMERICAN PRAYER HOUR/DC ON FEBRUARY 4, 2010
Media Contact(s): Wayne Besen, www.truthwinsout.org, wbesen@gmail.com, 917-691-5118 and/or Alison Gardner, abgm@comcast.net, 202-462-0048
Background: Key religious leaders formulated The American Prayer Hour all over the U.S. with key events in Washington, DC, Dallas, Chicago and Berkeley. The American Prayer Hour events will affirm inclusive values and call on all nations, including Uganda, to decriminalize the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. The American Prayer Hour provides an alternative to the National Prayer Breakfast, which is sponsored by The Family (aka The Fellowship), a group with disturbing ties to those spearheading Uganda’s oppressive Anti-Homosexuality Bill.
Date and Time: Thursday, February 4, 2010, 10 a.m.
Location: Calvary Baptist Church, 755 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC
Special Guests: Gospel Star Ray Boltz and Hitplay
Co-Sponsors: Co-Sponsors: Religion and Faith Program,
Human Rights Campaign Foundation; National Black Justice Coalition; Religion, Faith and Values Program;
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD); National Religious Leadership Roundtable;
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; PFLAG National; Metropolitan Community Churches; Full Equality Now DC; and Truth Wins Out
More information: www.americanprayerhour.org
*

It goes without saying that I would encourage readers in the greater Washington, D.C. area to participate in one or more of these events if possible. We cannot let the gay-haters claim the field as the representatives of Christianity.