Posted on 08/19/2005 8:10:09 PM PDT by hercuroc
As the Phillies played the Washington Nationals, a confrontation broke out in the upper deck of Citizens Bank Ballpark between Repent America, a fundamentalist Christian group, and fans, many of whom were in attendance as part of a gay pride group. It's the third season for Gay Day in Philly, featuring a national anthem performance by the Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus and a first pitch from Cyd Ziegler of Outsports.com.
But as the Inquirer points out, it is also the third season Repent America's Michael Marcavage has attended in protest of the event. Marcavage and another fan held a sign in the outfield that read, "Homosexuality Is a Sin, Christ Can Save You."
At one point, fans stood in front of the sign to essentially block the message. Eventually, officers from the Philadelphia Police Civil Affairs division flanked Marcavage and his unidentified companion.
"This is totally offensive to me," said James Duggan, a fan who stood several rows in front of the sign and engaged Marcavage in debate. "These people are false Christians. I was told the Phillies' lawyers arranged this with Repent America's lawyers, and I find that totally offensive, too." "It's pretty clear under the Constitution," Stiles said, "that if you're going to have a gay community night, people have the right to express another opinion. 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." Marcavage and his companion rolled up their sign in the sixth inning, which prompted cheering from surrounding fans. The two were booed and showered with obscenities as they were escorted out of the ballpark's grandstand area by police officers and Phillies' officials.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.foxsports.com ...
Why not? It's the only way you could say that
and be in any way expressing the truth.
Remember the days when you would actually be shocked to hear someone was gay??? Rock Hudson, Jim Neighbors, etc.. I'm sorry if I'm closed minded, but I don't want to picture someone..xxxxxxxx...another guy. Eeewwww...
Are you comparing angels and sinners?
Do you really need to make me list the things you have or want to restrict?
Men are losing in the war between the sexes, have been for some time, what easier way to accomodate this unfortunate turn of events than to simply opt out?
So, why is it at a baseball game? Why not leave the baseball game to the baseball fans? What kind of idiots are coming up with ideas like a "gay day" at a baseball game, anyhow?
The City of Philadelphia has a history of denying First Amendment rights to this group. Apparently freedom of speech does not extend to anyone who believes homosexual activity is immoral.
"I have never understood the Gay Pride thing. Are they really proud of what they do?"
This has always behooved me also. How far can I go in publicly broadcasting my heterosexual practices?
You know, bad meat in the can!
"I don't wanna picture someone XXXXXXX another guy"
Why not? You homophobe! (Sarcasm)
"The phillies have trouble filling seats"
hehehe. The fans they are courting sure have no problem there!
Freedom is not free. It comes with responsibilities and accountability. Your argument is weak, for you can say the same thing for a variety of lifestyles, i.e., terrorists, child molesters, rapists, liars, thieves, murderers, whoremongers, pedophiles, illegal drug pushers, etc.
There was a moment in these people's lives when they had a natural aversion to committing such acts. What do you suppose happened to them that made them cross over, going against their natural instincts and common sense for a lifestyle that actually puts their lives in danger or reduces their mortality by at least 20 years?
I'm not an analyst, but it seems to me that mountain climbing or alligator-wrestling would have been more logical choices. But then, those pursuits require bravery, courage, and discipline. More importantly, innocents and innocence are not slain in the process.
Can the same be said for the life-styles of the practitioners of strange sex?
hehehe
It's getting to the point where if you won't allow them to copulate right in front of you, you are the one in the wrong
You're welcome.
; )
"...gay men are a phenomenon of female dominance..."
Huh? Where's the personal responsibility? We all had a difficult childhood. Get over it.
I hate Philly. Lived there for years. Almost as bad as Boston.
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