Indy Ministers Pray to Defeat Gay Rights ... With Some Help From Reporters

Leaders from a dozen African-American churches are leading the fight against a proposed measure to protect Indianapolis gays from discrimination. Earlier today, the clergymen lead a "prayer vigil" in the City-County Council building, calling on each council member by name and asking for divine intervention against the proposed ordinance. An “abomination to God" and a perverse “lifestyle choice” were among a few of the illustrations that the Indy ministers used to describe the gays. Rev. Melvin Jackson, pastor at Christian Love Missionary Baptist Church: "These are people who can exercise their will, but they must not do it under the guise of civil rights.”

Outrage and confusion over sexual orientation is to be expected from conservative ministers, especially in a Bible Belt town like Indianapolis. However, a more pressing concern is that the article is totally slanted. Reporter Robert King of the Indianapolis Star did not interview one gay person to balance the article—not one activist, not one gay on the street, not even a pro-gay Christian like a minister from the United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church (which is our church, btw), Metropolitan Community Church, or, the predominately black and gay Unity Fellowship. The sponsors of the legislation were not interviewed, no statistics were presented, and no expert opinion to refute the ministers' claims that homosexuality is a "lifestyle choice."

The article also links to a discussion thread at the Indy Star message board. It's comforting to see that one or two others noted these biases, but, their comments do not carry the same weight as the reporter's story. As a former news writer, producer and reporter, the glaring bias is almost embarrassing.

• Ministers Against Gay-Rights Measure (IndyStar)
• Should Indy Pass the Gay Rights Proposal? (IndyStar)

Comments

[ricky]

Not one gay person was interviewed. Almost to be expected, right?

[david]

I live just outside Indy.

I consider the Indy Star an abomination - terrible writing, inept journalism, hideous opinion pieces. I am hardly surprised.

[naturalblkluv]

This is funny, because if I remember correctly, most of the choir directors and church organist, and ministers of music are flaming sissies. lol we know even the married ones are one step away from wearing a cape and having a head full of finger waves. lol

It is what it is, a show for gathering new members, getting attention, and possibly getting a TV deal with one of the gospel channels. Homoism doesn't affect anybody’s life that doesn't choose to allow it to effect them. When la Quinton and Malique decide to hook up, Jim and Ann lives won’t change one bit. It’s all mind games people. Its is like when the republican’s convinced all those poor people that they were middle class. Only to find out that the middle class were people making 100,000 a yr. If u trick people into thinking they are just like you, u can employ group think and make them think they are better or belong to a group they don’t.

[curtishooks]

The leaders in Indy can not understand something complicated as homosexuality. I offer to the minister this, "how can you not respect a lifestyle that does not causes harm, yet embraces love for same sex individuals. yet, God never seen or heard - you follow and trust with blinders. I love Jesus so much. And come to love me the same way God loves all his children - righteous and/or sinners that believe.

[Wil]

The rumor that no one from the GLBT community was interviewed is false. Robert Ferguson, president of Indiana Black Pride did get a brief interview here:
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2005512010476

We do need your support to get this proposal approved. Support Indiana's equal rights ordinance here:
http://www.gayindy.org/action/

[Rod]

That was not a "rumor."
Wil's link is to an updated and much more inclusive version of the same story.

The story was originally published without any commentary from gays or supporters.

Rod

[Wil]

Thanks for the clarification, Rod.

The current article is a day late and a dollar short. The Indy Star newspaper waited too long to include a somewhat balanced article.

Send a message to the Indianapolis Star to condemn their unfair reporting.
http://www2.indystar.com/help/contact/letters.html