I love the Outer Banks of North Carolina for their desolate natural beauty and generally friendly and pleasant people. I spent many surf weekends there with my son, his friends and some other dads. But like everything there's often an ugly underbelly and in the case of the Outer Banks it is the bigotry, prejudice and message of intolerance being disseminated by Roanoke Island Baptist Church. For a region so heavily dependent on tourism, the local city fathers ought to be concerned by this church's efforts to send a message that LGBT individuals are not welcome. While more and more communities seek to attract LGBT tourism and the pink dollar, the bigots at RIBC - led by Pastor Charles Taylor - would turn away those who do not subscribe to their perverted "Christian" message. Laughably, and like many homophobes, these wing nuts cling to the King James Bible and prove they obviously are ignoramuses when it comes to knowing accurate history. But then again, ignorance is the principal ally of folks like Taylor who preach contempt for others. What set off Taylor's bathitery? A planned event called "OBX Pridefest", that will take place June 24-26, 2011 at First Colony Inn in Nags Head, North Carolina.*
Here's how the event is described by the sponsors:
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A 3-day celebration of family, friendship, music and laughter with the picturesque beauty of Old Nags Head as a backdrop. Join us on the festival grounds at the First Colony Inn for a whole afternoon of outdoor concerts with over 20 entertainers/musicians including singer/songwriter Eric Himan, a sunset cruise, late night fun with Britney Spears impersonator, Derrick Barry, who has appeared on NBC's America's Got Talent, Las Vegas puppeteer Jerry Halliday and his "Dangerous Dames", and Michael L. Walters presenting an intimate evening as Dame Edna! And don't worry, there will be plenty of time to have a beach party! Our beaches have been in the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the country! The afternoon festival is a family event, so make your plans now to join us in June and celebrate pride OBX style!
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Sounds nice and obviously harmless to any one not imbibing large amounts of Christianist Kool-Aid like Pastor Taylor. Here's how Taylor's ranting about the event:
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I know of no greater threat to the family that exists today than the homosexual agenda. They have for years (even though a small minority of the population) continued to push through a very radical agenda that is neither healthy nor wholesome.
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Homosexual deviancy in sex is not normal, nor is it hereditary, nor genetic. I do not have the time, nor space to answer all the accusations that have been directed against those of us who oppose this lifestyle,. . .
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This behavior is a scourge in any society that values decency and morality, law and natural order. The aim is to seduce the most innocent among us to their immoral form of depravity. Do not be taken in. It is not a healthy nor happy lifestyle.
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Taylor has obviously drunk deeply at the well of false information and anti-gay propaganda disseminated by SPLC registered hate groups. Readers who'd like to give Taylor a piece of their mind can do so via these contacts: Pastor Tyler: 252-241-1802
Email: pastor@ribaptist.com
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Better yet would be to contact the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and let them know that while you may visit for the OBX Pridefest, you will make a point of NOT visiting the Outer Banks if they don't rein in folks like Pastor Taylor. Here's the contact info: 877.629.4386; information@outerbanks.org.
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As for Taylor, one can only wonder when it will turn out he's been embezzling church funds, fondling young girls or more likely, young boys like so many of the loudest homophobes.
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