Gold9472
08-19-2005, 07:12 PM
Homophobia Mars Gay Day At Phillies Game
http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/08/081905phillyBall.htm
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: August 19, 2005 11:00 am ET
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) For the third year in a row a militant evangelical Christian group has disrupted the Philadelphia Phillies tribute to gay fans.
The night was billed as Gay Community Night at the ballpark as the team played the Washington Nationals. The Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus san the national anthem and Cyd Ziegler the founder of Outsports.com threw the opening pitch.
But as hundreds of gay fans and their friends were settling down to watch the game two members from Repent America held up a large banner that read: "Homosexuality Is a Sin, Christ Can Save You". The pair were cheered on by other members of the group sitting in the same row.
The protest drew large jeers and boos from various parts of Citizens Bank Park and at one point several fans sitting in front on the protestors stood up to block the sign. They were ordered to sit down by police officers. Two other officers flanked the demonstrators to ensure that a fight did not break out.
Gay fans denounced the protest and the Phillies for allowing it to go on. But, a team spokesperson said that Repent America had a First Amendment right to voice its views.
"It's pretty clear under the Constitution that if you're going to have a gay community night, people have the right to express another opinion." Phillies' vice-president of operations and administration Mike Stiles told the Philadelphia Enquirer.
" We understand it's distressing for some people to have to look at that sign. We believe the leaders of the gay community who arrange this night like any other group know what they're going to have to put up with."
Both the Phillies and the city owned ballpark have written policies that bar fans from "interfering with other guests' ability to enjoy the game," or messages that contain "fighting words likely to provoke a breach of the peace."
Repent America president Michael Marcavage said that his group notified the team in advance that it would be protesting again this year and was told in a letter from the team's attorney that the wording of the banner would not violate the content requirements because the sign did not constitute "fighting words, per se."
Last year 10 members of Repent America marched to an area near the front of a stage at Philadelphia's Outfest and began to yell Biblical passages to drown out the events on stage.
Police attempted to get the protestors to move to to an area on the edge of the Outfest site. Instead they went deeper into the gay crowd. Using a bullhorn they condemned homosexuality. They then got into an argument with a group of Pink Angels, who screamed back.
It was at that point police intervened.
Four members of Repent America, including Marcavage, were charged with ethnic intimidation, criminal conspiracy and inciting to riot. The charges carry sentences up to 47 years behind bars. But, in court, a judge dismissed the charges saying the protestors were in a public park and police had violated the group's First Amendment right to free speech. (story)
Marcavage has a long history of trying to disrupt LGBT events.
He has been arrested, detained or cited by police around the country since founding Repent America in 2002, including at a demonstration against same-sex marriages in San Francisco.
http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/08/081905phillyBall.htm
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: August 19, 2005 11:00 am ET
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) For the third year in a row a militant evangelical Christian group has disrupted the Philadelphia Phillies tribute to gay fans.
The night was billed as Gay Community Night at the ballpark as the team played the Washington Nationals. The Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus san the national anthem and Cyd Ziegler the founder of Outsports.com threw the opening pitch.
But as hundreds of gay fans and their friends were settling down to watch the game two members from Repent America held up a large banner that read: "Homosexuality Is a Sin, Christ Can Save You". The pair were cheered on by other members of the group sitting in the same row.
The protest drew large jeers and boos from various parts of Citizens Bank Park and at one point several fans sitting in front on the protestors stood up to block the sign. They were ordered to sit down by police officers. Two other officers flanked the demonstrators to ensure that a fight did not break out.
Gay fans denounced the protest and the Phillies for allowing it to go on. But, a team spokesperson said that Repent America had a First Amendment right to voice its views.
"It's pretty clear under the Constitution that if you're going to have a gay community night, people have the right to express another opinion." Phillies' vice-president of operations and administration Mike Stiles told the Philadelphia Enquirer.
" We understand it's distressing for some people to have to look at that sign. We believe the leaders of the gay community who arrange this night like any other group know what they're going to have to put up with."
Both the Phillies and the city owned ballpark have written policies that bar fans from "interfering with other guests' ability to enjoy the game," or messages that contain "fighting words likely to provoke a breach of the peace."
Repent America president Michael Marcavage said that his group notified the team in advance that it would be protesting again this year and was told in a letter from the team's attorney that the wording of the banner would not violate the content requirements because the sign did not constitute "fighting words, per se."
Last year 10 members of Repent America marched to an area near the front of a stage at Philadelphia's Outfest and began to yell Biblical passages to drown out the events on stage.
Police attempted to get the protestors to move to to an area on the edge of the Outfest site. Instead they went deeper into the gay crowd. Using a bullhorn they condemned homosexuality. They then got into an argument with a group of Pink Angels, who screamed back.
It was at that point police intervened.
Four members of Repent America, including Marcavage, were charged with ethnic intimidation, criminal conspiracy and inciting to riot. The charges carry sentences up to 47 years behind bars. But, in court, a judge dismissed the charges saying the protestors were in a public park and police had violated the group's First Amendment right to free speech. (story)
Marcavage has a long history of trying to disrupt LGBT events.
He has been arrested, detained or cited by police around the country since founding Repent America in 2002, including at a demonstration against same-sex marriages in San Francisco.