Gay activists invade antigay screening

The Southern Voice reports that gay rights activists outnumbered antigay organizers at a recent Christian Coalition event in Atlanta, where two pro-gay documentaries were screened. The event was originally planned as an exposé on the “homosexual agenda,” but the presence of activists at the meeting forced organizers to cancel a planned discussion and instead screen the films twice each. The films in question, It’s Elementary and That’s a Family, are films that address teaching children about homophobia and about families that include gay parents. Openly lesbian Georgia state representative Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) speculated that the meeting was meant to serve as a rallying point for upcoming legislation regarding gay adoption. Ron Hollingsworth of the Westside Baptist Church in Mableton, Ga., said he attended the meeting because of his concern over the gay “agenda” and because he believes some gay activists are out to “get” children. “I don’t think we need to call [gays] names,” said Hollingsworth, “but I don’t think we have to accept their lifestyle, and I think that’s what the schools are trying to teach our kids.” A flyer printed on Georgia house of representatives letterhead and distributed at the screening asked, “Do you know the hidden reason and the force behind the ‘safe schools’ movement?... You’ll be surprised and shocked as you view the psychological strategies used to mold and manipulate student values, beliefs, and attitudes away from those taught at home, community, and church.” The flyer went on to note that the screening was sponsored by 24 Georgia state representatives.