Focus on Family conference in Birmingham, Alabama will draw gay rights protest

[ccharles000]

Several gay rights organizations in Alabama have announced that they plan to protest a Focus on the Family "Love Won Out" conference on homosexuality that will be held Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at Metropolitan Church of God.

"They're telling you to hate your child unless he lives the way you tell him to live," said Johnathan Quinn, president of Central Alabama Pride, one of the protesting organizations. "Their literature tells the parents to abandon their children unless they go this route: forcing them to be straight."

Quinn said a peaceful protest is planned on public right of way near the entrance of the church, which faces Interstate 459 near the Acton Road exit. Equality Alabama, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays of Birmingham, and Covenant Community Church are among those taking part in the protest.

The conference teaches that those with same-sex attractions can change, said Melissa Fryrear, director of gender issues for Focus on the Family and one of the speakers.

"We're offering a Christian perspective on the many issues surrounding homosexuality," Fryrear said. "The majority attending are moms and dads who have a son or daughter living in homosexuality. We're here to help parents who don't condone their child's behavior but still love them."

http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-stories/2009/11/focus_on_family_conference_in.html

[southpaw]

1. I live near B'ham...

I'm going to see if any other people from my area want to attend the protest. We have a PFLAG chapter here (Anniston, AL) and I know several others who are members of Equality Alabama.

Thanks for posting the article!