Cathedral of Hope, World's Largest Gay Church, Takes on George W. Bush
Andy Bearsley
See Darwinism at work before your very eyes...
Andy B.
Cathedral of Hope, World's Largest Gay Church, Takes on George W. Bush;
DALLAS, April 1 -- The Cathedral of Hope, the world's
largest predominately gay and lesbian church, has challenged Republican
presidential candidate Texas Governor George Bush's claim to being a
compassionate conservative and is hosting a Rally Against Hate on
Wednesday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m. CDT. The rally coincides with the
historic national WGN broadcast of the church's 30-minute infomercial
about being Christian and homosexual.
In an open letter to the Governor, Reverend Michael Piazza, the
Cathedral's senior pastor, accused Bush of pandering to the right wing
in his continuing failure to support hate crimes legislation currently
before Texas legislators in an obvious attempt to secure the Republican
nomination. The relentless attacks by the religious right
broadcasters have created an atmosphere in this country where hating
lesbian and gay people is morally justifiable, Piazza said. By
producing the first national broadcast by and for the gay community, we
begin to provide an antidote to that hate. Since we cannot expect help
from others like Governor Bush, we must help ourselves.
Piazza called on Governor Bush to reconsider his opposition to hate
crimes legislation which Bush claimed was largely symbolic. Every
day the government passes bills that are largely symbolic, Piazza
said. Our community hopes that the Governor will recognize the
importance of how even symbolic stands against hate is critical.
The Rally Against Hate will include a special preview airing of the WGN
broadcast, A Cathedral of Hope, and a time of prayer for the Governor
and the television program. The actual national airing of A Cathedral
of Hope will occur later that evening (2 a.m. Eastern CDT/11 p.m.
Pacific CDT) on Chicago station WGN. The program shows the world that
thousands of people can be lesbian or gay and Christian.
One of the largest and fastest growing churches in America, the
Cathedral of Hope (www.cathedralofhope.com) is dedicated to providing
hope for lesbian, gay and other excluded people around the world and
strives to reclaim Christianity for all people with a message of God's
inclusive love. With an active constituency of over 15,000 people and
a television ministry potentially reaching 4 million households
nationwide, the church is building the first cathedral of the 21st
century, a new $20-million sanctuary designed by world-renowned
architect Philip Johnson.
Andy Bearsley
At a rally on Wednesday evening April 7th the congregation of the Cathedral
of Hope challenged Texas Governor George W. Bush's brand of "compassionate
conservativism". Rev. Michael Piazza, Senior Pastor reported to the
congregation that from conversations with several state legislators he had
learned that the Governor at a closed-door Republican caucus warned them
against passing hate crimes legislation which included sexual orientation.
Currently both the Texas House and Senate are considering hate crimes
legislation named after Jasper, Texas murder victim James Byrd. The
legislation includes sexual orientation as one of the protected categories,
but the Governor and many conservative lawmakers are fighting to exclude
lesbian and gay people from that protection.
"The only reason for Governor Bush's position is that he is seek to curry
favor with the right- wing of his party. Lesbian and gay people are
taxpayers and victims of hate crimes. If the Governor succeeds in excluding
us from the protection of the law the blood of murdered lesbian and gay
Texans is on his hands," Rev. Piazza told a crowd of over 500 gathered for
the rally.
The Cathedral of Hope has recently produced the first national broadcast by
the lesbian and gay community. Aired five times during April the program
entitled "Holy Homosexuals" seeks to tell the truth about being gay and
Christian. Although the program was rejected by numerous networks after a
court battle the Cathedral succeeded in winning the right to air its special
on Chicago superstation WGN.
With over 3000 members the Cathedral of Hope is one of the fastest growing
churches in America and is the largest lesbian and gay congregation in the
world. It is currently building the first cathedral of the twenty-first
century. The unique structure designed by world renowned openly gay
architect Philip Johnson will include studio facilities capable of producing
future programming.
In taking on Governor Bush the Cathedral of Hope seeks to inform the world
that compassionate conservatives will pay a price if they seek votes from
the right through anti-gay positions. Bush has also supported legislation
which would ban lesbians and gays from adopting or from being foster
parents. In his first term he refused the request of the Cathedral to issue
a proclamation of support for World AIDS Day.