Date: Sun, 23 Aug 1998 14:51:44 -0400 (EDT) From: A Jay Eddy Subject: GUARD Claims Over 2800 Gays & Friends Confront Anti-Gay Janet Folger and D.James Kennedy For Immediate Release Broward Log Cabin Club of Florida P.O. Box 1218, Ft.Lauderdale, FL 33302 (954) LCR-1995 REV. JILL EXTENDS LOVE WHILE JANET FOLGER REAFFIRMS GAY CURE August 22, 1998, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Ministries Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. With the heat of the western sun glaring over the back-stark-white spires of the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and Center for Reclaiming America for Christ Ministries, over 2,800 gay women and men, joined by their families and friends, cried out for their religious freedom. Yes, religious freedom to worship in those institutions which accept them for who and what they are: "Creations of God," nothing more, nothing less noted Rabbi Gregg Kanter. In a heart wrenching plea, the Rev. Jill Nelson asked that D.James Kennedy and Janet Folger open up their hearts to true Christ-like understanding and compassion. "We love you, I love you and we are the Children of God. There is no difference other than your lack of understanding of who and what we are," note Rev. Nelson. To that plea the leaders of the church responded with a bulletin board quoting Scripture and two blaring videos which announced a cure for homosexuality which was available behinds the doors of their ministries and the ministries of other evangelical-fundamentalist institutions. Carol Benowitz, Gulf Regional Director of P-FLAG, with tearful eyes cried out "I promise you that P-FLAG will always be there for you our children; for we love you, we care for you and we will defend all your rights to share in the American Dream just as we, your parents, do." Tony Ramos, President of GUARD and Karl Clark, founder of the Dolphin Democratic Club, called for a return to the politics of addressing issues of national survival. We must not engulf political urgency in the politics of religion which is seemingly superseding the most crucial matters facing our nation and the world today. This skewed agenda, which religious zealots proclaim in the name of "Reclaiming America for Christ," emulates intolerance, distrust, and a lack of credibility and accountability. "We have every moral and political right to equally offer our deep concern." noted Ramos. People arrived earlier than anticipated, some left sooner than expected because of the of heat; but all shared the warmth and appreciation echoed over and over again for the organizers, the over 45 participating organization and most of all the outstand- ing cooperation of the Ft. Lauderdale Police Department and its professional staff.