Texas Gay Kiss-In Draws Ugly Responses

The same-sex kiss-in took place on East Exchange Street at the Stockyards, a National Historic District in Fort Worth, Texas.  Organizer Joe Remsik said the demonstration was intended to let the public know about fears within the city’s small but politically active gay community.  The benign demonstration quickly turned into a shouting match, however, with the arrival of dozens of agitated evangelicals carrying bullhorns, anti-gay placards and "Come To Jesus" signs.   

From the Star-Telegram:  About 40 members of Queer Liberaction said they needed to take a stand against intolerance by carrying out public displays of affection in what they considered an area not traditionally friendly toward gays.   The other group, mainly evangelical Christians and also numbering about 40, said homosexuality is a clear lifestyle choice, not a naturally occurring sexual orientation as many scientists believe.  They beseeched Liberaction members to abandon their "kiss-in" and come to Jesus Christ as straight adults.  (Just walk over here, folks, and the man in the sky will make you hetero!)  "This is the most homophobic place that I’ve ever lived in," Remsik said. "I’m concerned about my safety in the Stockyards and in the rest of Fort Worth.  The constant drumbeat of the religious right telling us that we’re sinners and deserve to go to hell is more than I can stomach."  Howard Caver, 70, pastor of Fort Worth’s World Missionary Baptist Church, said divine guidance (and a little free publicity no doubt) had led him to the Stockyards, adding that members of his group prayed that their presence might influence at least one Liberaction member to question homosexuality.  At one point, Liberaction member Elizabeth Pax approached another anti-gay preacher.  But when she tried to kiss the man, he thwarted the move by leaning away.  (Lesbian lips!  Anathema!)

Readers of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram can always be counted on to show their bigoted asses.  Below are some of the all-too-typical comments left on the article:

- Allowing these sexually sick to practice there sick affection in public will only lead to other sexually sick groups wanting to be accepted. This practice is a crime against nature and will never lead to any good in society.
- I do not presume to pass judgment on you or anyone else who is inflicted with this horrible condition.
- I am surprised the CDC does not isolate y'all from the general public.
- For those few Jesus filled souls, that were out there? Thank you for your service against this PERVERION OF NATURE.
- Science tells us that homosexuality is wrong.
- It is a public THREAT TO SAFETY. It is an unhealthy lifestyle. It threatens not just them. Which I would say OK. Go for it & will just wait. It threatens everyone that touch doorknog, ATM keys, produce.
- I am not prejudiced against gay people. But I don't like to have it flaunted in front of my face.
(and here's my favorite:)
- Why does the lamestream media always call regular people "anti-gay" instead of pro-traditional family values? At least call them anti-homosexual perversion.

Although there were a handful of reasoned responses to the story, most of the comments were hate-filled tirades like the ones above.  If this is the attitude of the "good Christians" in Fort Worth, maybe there should be more gay kiss-ins. 

The state of Texas will never grant equal rights to its LGBT citizens until the federal government starts doing it - and of course that won't happen in the foreseeable future.  So while we wait for full equality, let's continue kissing in public.  It will sure help pass the time, y'all. 

Related Post:  Police raid on Texas gay bar leaves man hospitalized. 

Comments

[Trent]

I've had to watch straight people kissing ('flaunting their lifestyle') in public my whole life. Never bothered me, so why should this bother them?

[Philip]

You're right about Texas and gay rights... the state will never treat GLBTs fairly unless the US Congress or SCOTUS tells it to, and even then it's going to be brutal.

[Duncan]

You're gonna get some crazy fundies anywhere you go in the country, but Ft. Worth is gonna be a bit more on the "traditional" side, Dallas has tons of gay bars and 2 gay districts in the nicest parts of the city.

[Janus]

All those people spouting off about Jesus obviously forgot that Jesus also kissed men...

[Aggie, Fair Haven, Vt.]

"Science tells us homosexuality is wrong"? So, now the reactionaries want to use Science, eh? If I were Science, after they'd badmouthed me as much as they have, I wouldn't wanna talk to them.

[onthe lookout]

God loves the sinner....not the sin...

God's people will be opposed to sin at any cost!

Please feel free to plan any and all future events. We will be there also!