Ex-Televangelist to Hold AIDS Drag Benefit (Tammy Faye Bakker Messner)

Yahoo News ^ | 12/22/03

[Libloather]

Ex-Televangelist to Hold AIDS Drag Benefit
Mon Dec 22, 8:02 AM ET

DURHAM, N.C. - Former televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker Messner will headline a drag bingo benefit for AIDS here next month.

The Alliance of AIDS Services-Carolina, which serves people with HIV and AIDS in Durham, Orange and Wake counties, is organizing the fund-raiser at the Durham Armory on Jan. 2.

The headliner was a source of surprise to at least one group official.

"When they told me, I said, 'Oh, this is not going to work' — far right and all that," acting executive director Jacquelyn Clymore said Friday. "I have to say it has completely changed my perception of her. She appears to be completely committed" to HIV work.

Messner and ex-husband Jim Bakker helped build the world's three largest Christian networks, only to lose everything amid scandal. Her ex-husband was convicted of fraud and served five years in federal prison.

Messner was never charged.

In a telephone interview, Messner said her AIDS work was nothing new.

"Everyone has a right to be who they are. I believe that," she said. "I think people are just people. God does not put labels on people. People put labels on people. And it's none of my business what goes on in people's bedrooms."

[ErnBatavia]

I always thought Tammy Faye looked like a drag queen

We actually met her at, of all places, the Swap Meet in Palm Desert when she was married to wazzitzname (post-Jimmy).

Wifey insisted on introductions, so we did that little thing. She looked like a squat Truman Capote.

[Libloather]

DURHAM...

Tickets can be purchased in advance...

[Libloather]

We actually met her at, of all places, the Swap Meet in Palm Desert when she was married to wazzitzname (post-Jimmy).

A dream come true - for her as well, I'm sure...

[ErnBatavia]

she is actually going to make Ron Jeremy look worse .

(I guess this belongs on a Tammy Faye thread...)

[expatguy]

"...God does not put labels on people. People put labels on people...[sic]"

This strikes me as wrong.

Actually God does "label" people and he does judge.

[reagan_fanatic]

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

[Libloather]

Uh, oh. If she isn't a woman...

[AppauledAtAppeasementConservat]

Yeah they've been around but I thought they were always hanging out in Fort Mill, SC? LOL! Charlotte. Lived there 20 years and glad I moved to the beach. Traffic, Taxes and PTL was too much. I have met both Tammy and James Baker in person before (not of my own will) and knew then they were bad news. Certain fake smiles are just way too obvious.

[AppauledAtAppeasementConservat]

As for Jim I agree with you. I have much greater respect for him than Tammy Faye. Humility is a good thing. Always a sign of learning a valuable lesson in life. Only time and God's grace will tell wether he has.

[F16Fighter]

Tammy Faye: "Everyone has a right to be who they are. I believe that," she said. "I think people are just people."

This woman ought to be pushing the "wheel" along with the other inmates at that Turkish jail in the movie, 'Midnight Express'.