Another 'gay' charge made against Haggard 10 years ago
Pastor Dale Morgan
Another 'gay' charge made against Haggard 10 years ago
One gay-rights proponent sees a chance for a lesson to "lighten up and
not condemn people for who they are."
By Erin Emery
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated:11/03/2006 08:37:11 AM MST
Colorado Springs - Frank Whitworth has fought for gay rights in Colorado
Springs since the early 1990s, and he hopes Colorado Springs takes a
lesson from a male prostitute's allegation that he had a long-standing
sexual relationship with New Life Church pastor Ted Haggard.
"I hope that instead of vilifying Ted, that the community will take a
lesson that we should lighten up and not condemn people for who they
are," said Whitworth, who founded Ground Zero when voters in the state
passed Amendment 2, which prohibited municipalities from passing laws
that protected gays. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled the law was
unconstitutional.
Across Colorado Springs on Thursday, people were stunned by allegations
made against Haggard, one of the community's most prominent leaders.
Whitworth said that while he directed Ground Zero about a decade ago, he
received a 10- to 12-page letter that accused Haggard of having a sexual
affair with a man. Whitworth said it was not his policy to use
unsubstantiated claims, and he believes he threw the letter away.
"The interesting thing is Ted Haggard called me and asked me if I had
received such a letter, and we had a conversation.
It was the second time in a week that a religious leader in Colorado
Springs stepped down from the pulpit. The Rev. Benjamin Reynolds
resigned as senior pastor of Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church on
Sunday, a few weeks after telling his congregation he is gay.
Colorado Springs City Councilman Jerry Heimlicher said he was shocked
that Haggard had resigned from the National Association of Evangelicals
and taken an administrative leave from the church.
"I hope it's not true," he said of the allegations. "But I at least
admire him for stepping aside to let the air clear. I have nothing but
respect for him; when you consider what he built, I have nothing but the
greatest of admiration for him."
Heimlicher said he hopes that New Life Church will remain strong.
Ryan Acker, executive director of the Pikes Peak Gay and Lesbian Center,
said he received 30 telephone calls and e-mails from people who were
shocked by the allegations.
"People are just taken aback, and especially that Ted has stepped down
has really raised some eyebrows," Acker said.
"Whether or not Ted is gay, as the allegations say, I think today he is
facing the same ridicule that gays and lesbians face every day, in part
because of the teachings that have come from his church," Acker said.