Subject: UFMCC's "Report to the President" for White House Hate Crimes Conference
From: [email-masked]
Date: Sat, 8 Nov 1997 19:17:16 -0500 (EST)

NEWS RELEASE

From The
Universal Fellowship of
Metropolitan Community Churches
Website: http://www.ufmcc.com

The following is the text of the "Report to the President" prepared by the
Rev. Troy D. Perry, founder and moderator of the Universal Fellowship of
Metropolitan Community Churches. The Rev. Mr. Perry is among the 20 gay
leaders who will participate in the White House Conference on Hate Crimes on
Monday, Nov. 10.

Over the past 30 years, 7% of UFMCC congregations have been targets of arson
or fire bombing. We believe this to be a higher percentage of arson than for
any other organization in American society.

In his "Report to the President," the Rev. Mr. Perry notes that most of these
hate crimes have been virtually ignored by both the media and civil
authorities. This he attributes to American society's marginalization and
devaluation of its gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered citizens.

Additional information on UFMCC's participation in the "White House
Conference on Hate Crimes" can be found at the organization's website at
http://www.ufmcc.com.

The following report has been distributed to President Clinton, Vice
President Gore, the President's Cabinet, members of the US Congress and the
media -- and will be distributed to the 350 participants in the "White House
Conference on Hate Crimes.

TEXT OF UFMCC'S REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT: 

Report to the President
for
The White House Conference On Hate Crimes

Prepared by
The Rev. Elder Troy D. Perry
Moderator, Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches

The Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson
Vice-Moderator, Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches

The General Council
Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches

The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC) was
founded in 1968 to provide welcoming and affirming Christian churches in
which members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities
could develop positive faith and spirituality.

In the intervening three decades, the ministers, members and property of the
UFMCC congregations have been the targets of hate crimes at a level virtually
unparalleled in American society.

The member churches of the UFMCC offer a spiritual message of joy and faith,
but this message has been met with a wave of hate crimes which seek to
intimidate our members and silence our message.  We will not be silenced.

Mr. President, on behalf of the 42,000 members of the UFMCC and the more than
225,000 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons whose lives are
touched by UFMCC ministries each year, we implore you to exercise your
leadership and moral authority to protect the rights of our country's gay and
lesbian citizens.

Three points are especially worthy of note:

First, an astounding 7% of UFMCC congregations have been targets of arson or
fire-bombing over the last three decades. Based upon our internal research,
we believe this to be a higher figure than for any other institution —
religious, political or civic — in American society.

Second, the overwhelming majority of these hate crimes directed at the UFMCC
have "flown beneath the radar" of public perception, failing to come to the
attention of the American public. We believe the fact that this ongoing wave
of hate crimes against our churches and people has been virtually ignored by
the printed press, the electronic and broadcast media and the civil
authorities reflects a systemic, societal view which devalues America's gay
and lesbian citizens. 

Third, and finally, UFMCC is unique within American society for attacks based
on twin hate crimes motivations: hate crimes motivated against our spiritual
beliefs and hate crimes motivated against our members' predominant sexual
orientation. 

The stain of hate crimes motivated against sexual orientation has left a blot
upon the fabric of America's commitment to "liberty and justice for all."

In 1977, I attended the first-ever White House meeting with representatives
of the gay and lesbian communities. In meetings with members of the White
House staff and in conversations with President Jimmy Carter, I pleaded for
the use of presidential leadership to protect and affirm the equality of
America's gay and lesbian citizens.

I am saddened that today, twenty years later, our members still lose their
jobs solely because of their sexual orientation... our worship services are
still threatened... our churches are still victimized by the hate crimes of
vandalism, intimidation and desecration. Our nation is better than this. Our
people deserve better than this.

Discrimination, bigotry and hatred against any of our citizens is
discrimination against our nation's highest and most noble ideals.

Mr. President, do not let your legacy in this area be the status quo. It is
my studied opinion that the gay and lesbian communities have been patient --
remarkably patient -- in awaiting the same protections afforded to other
citizens. As with every oppressed group, history teaches that if these
injustices are not adequately addressed and remedied, we will face reaction
and backlash. 

It was President Theodore Roosevelt who said, "The American people are slow
to wrath. But once their anger is kindled, it burns like a consuming fire."
Mr. President, let us join hands to effect adequate remedies to quench the
fires of injustice while working to fan the flames of liberty for all
citizens.

Mr. President, you are now presented with a remarkable opportunity to improve
and protect the lives of gay and lesbian citizens, an opportunity afforded by
your own leadership in convening the White House Conference on Hate Crimes.
It is our fervent prayer that this opportunity may be translated into a
reality for all American citizens.

Submitted by:
The Rev. Elder Troy D. Perry, Moderator
The Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Vice Moderator
Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches
8704 Santa Monica Boulevard
West Hollywood, California 90069
Tel. (310) 360-8640
Fax: (310) 360-8680
E-Mail: [email-masked]

November, 1997

A Partial Catalog of Hate Crimes
Committed Against the Ministers, Members and Property
of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches

Metropolitan Community Church of Los Angeles, 1973
Los Angeles, California
An "intentional fire of suspicious origin" was the official conclusion for
the fire which destroyed the UFMCC "Mother Church" located at 22nd and Union.
Though the fire proved to be arson, no charges were ever filed by civil
authorities. The worship facility sustained $90,000 in damages.

Metropolitan Community Church of Nashville, 1973
Nashville, Tennessee
Police evidenced little concern over this fire which totally destroyed the
worship facility of this new congregation, even though other establishments
serving the gay community had been destroyed in recent months. The church
lost all of its possessions, including altar vessels, vestments and organ.

Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans, 1973
New Orleans, Louisiana
This deliberate fire caused the deaths of the church pastor, associate pastor
and ten members of the congregation. The fire started on a Sunday evening,
claiming the lives of one-third of the church's membership. No one was ever
charged with this crime.

Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco, 1973
San Francisco, California
This worship facility was totally destroyed by arson. The arson followed
death threats against the church's pastor, the Rev. James Sandmire. The
threats had been scrawled on the church doors. The loss was valued at over
$100,000.

West Bay Metropolitan Community Church, 1974
Santa Monica, California
This chapel was gutted by fire, only four days before a scheduled same-sex
wedding was to take place. Telephone threats to the church were received
prior to the fire. The building sustained $20,000 in damages.

Trinity Metropolitan Community Church, 1974
Riverside, California
Only three weeks after being burglarized and vandalized, the church was
destroyed by an early Sunday fire which caused $32,000 in damages.

King of Peace Metropolitan Community Church, 1976
St. Petersburg, Florida
An early morning fire totally destroyed the church and all of its contents.
The church was insured for $34,000.

Casa de Cristo MCC, 1977
Phoenix, Arizona
Forty-five minutes before the evening worship service, the worship facility
was fire-bombed. Damages were estimated at more than $30,000. In the months
preceding the arson, the church was subject to a wave of hate crimes,
including threatening letters and phone calls, theft, damage to cars during
worship services -- culminating in the October arson.

Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa, 1977
Tampa, Florida
This church was victimized by hate crimes, including vandalism and
desecration which resulted in $8000 in damages and loss. The Rev. John Hose
arrived at the church to find the cross had been torn from the cupola,
stained glass windows had been shattered, walls were splattered with eggs,
the air conditioning unit has been destroyed, and the church sign torn down.

MCC of the Twin Cities, 1977
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Worship services led by Pastor Joan Johnson were interrupted by vandals who
spray-painted obscenities on the church walls.

MCC of the Resurrection, 1978
Houston, Texas
The Ku Klux Klan initiated a campaign of harassment against this congregation
which included threats (including death threats) by phone and letter against
the pastor, the Rev. Jeri Ann Harvey, and the church. A Ku Klux Klan cross
was burned on the church property.

Christ Chapel Metropolitan Community Church, 1979
Santa Ana, California
This church facility was totally destroyed by a fire which was ruled to be
arson. The fire occurred at 1 AM, just two hours after a threat on Pastor
Roger Harrison's life was recorded on the church's answering machine. The
building was an historic site: the home of the first Jewish synagogue ever
constructed in Orange County.

"Our House" Ministry of MCC Baltimore, 1980
Baltimore, Maryland
This facility which housed Cuban refugees, the majority of whom were gay or
lesbian, was burned to the ground. This facility was a ministry of MCC
Baltimore.

Metropolitan Community Church of Baltimore, 1982
Baltimore, Maryland
This fire resulted in $1.25 million in damages to this worship facility, and
the loss of all property and supplies owned by this MCC congregation. This
congregation had experienced on-going harassment from local juveniles,
including threats on the day of the fire.

MCC of the New Reformation, 1982
Columbia, Missouri
This church was victimized by an on-going campaign of community hostility,
threats and hate crimes. On two occasions, people entered the church facility
during worship services and desecrated the building by pouring coffee through
the building and breaking raw eggs. Raw eggs were also thrown at the cars of
worshipers. The pastor's son was subject to taunts and verbal abuse by local
adults. Threatening phone calls were made to the church office. And a church
board member's home was broken into and vandalized.

Metropolitan Community Church of Atlanta, 1982
Atlanta, Georgia
The church's worship facility was set ablaze by an arsonist. In the month's
preceding this arson, the facility had repeatedly been vandalized and
desecrated. Firefighters brought the blaze under control, and the fire did
not affect any of the adjacent buildings.

St. Luke's Metropolitan Community Church, 1982 and 1983
Jacksonville, Florida
This congregation holds the dubious distinction of being the only UFMCC
congregation to twice be fire-bombed, once in 1982 and again in 1983. The
1982 fire nearly destroyed the building and it's contents, including the
pews, pulpit, heating and air conditioning system, and altar. The 1983 attack
was more confined, resulting in smoke damage and the destruction of the
church's carpeting as well as vandalized windows.

Metropolitan Community Church of Joplin, 1983
Joplin, Missouri
The worship facility of this congregation was destroyed by fire — part of a
campaign of community harassment against the church's worshipers. Gay-owned
or gay-friendly facilities were picketed by locals who hurled anti-gay
slogans and threats in public. The escalating level of harassment resulted in
the resignation of the church pastor, who feared for his life.

Metropolitan Community Church of Dallas, 1985
Dallas, TX
Damage was done to this church facility by vandals who desecrated the worship
facility.

The Rev. Virgil Scott, 1986
Pastor, MCC of Stockton, California
After more than a year of threats against the Rev. Virgil Scott and his
predominantly gay and lesbian congregation, Pastor Scott was brutally
murdered. Evidence indicates that Rev. Scott was interrupted while engaged in
church-related work.  His body was severely beaten and he was stabbed seven
to ten times. Prior to his death, shots had been fired at his car, and death
threats left on his answering machine.

Metropolitan Community Church of Silverlake, 1991
Los Angeles, California
The church was broken into and vandalized and desecrated. Paint was splashed
in the sanctuary, the social hall and the pastor's office. 

Ke Anuenue O Ke Aloha Metropolitan Community Church, 1993
Honolulu, Hawaii
After publicly announcing the church's support for legalized gay marriage,
both the church's pastor, the Rev. Justin Tanis, and the congregation,
received telephone threats. Threats against the pastor and congregation were
also posted on the church doors.

Metropolitan Community Church of Richmond, 1994
Richmond, VA
Stained glass windows in the church's sanctuary were destroyed by vandals. On
the same evening, two Jewish synagogues in the vicinity were similarly
desecrated.

Good Samaritan Metropolitan Community Church, 1994
Whittier, California 
The church was vandalized and windows were broken shortly after this
congregation moved into their new worship facility. During this time,
telephone threats were received and workers entering and departing from
worship services were picketed and heckled.

MCC Shepherd of the Plains, 1996
Great Falls, Montana
Following Pastor Gina L. Hartung's appearance in the local media, this church
was vandalized and desecrated. An inverted cross was spray painted on the
church's front door, and other graffiti included spray-painted swastikas, the
number "666," and Satanic symbols.

Church of the Trinity MCC, 1996-97
Bradenton, Florida
In February of 1996, two worshipers were assaulted by a youth gang as they
left a church function. Between March and May of 1996, the church was
subjected to ten incidents of petty vandalism, including destruction of porch
enclosures, breaking of church benches, and the uprooting of shrubbery. In
May of 1996, youths yelled anti-gay slogans at people entering for worship
service. In September of 1997, the church was vandalized, the offices
burglarized, and a fire was set in the church office. The incident resulted
in $6000 in damages to the facility. In February of 1997, the church's public
sign was defaced with anti-gay slogans.

(END)

For Additional Information, Contact:
James N. Birkitt, Jr.
UFMCC Director of Communications
Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches
8704 Santa Monica Boulevard, 2nd Floor
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: (310) 360-8640
Fax: (310) 360-8680

E-mail: [email-masked]

Release Date: November 8, 1997