Orlando Christians urged to pray, contact City Council

Orlando City Council voted 4-3 Nov. 18 in favor of adding "sexual orientation" to the City Code. It was the first of two votes needed for passage of a gay rights amendment. Dec. 2, citizens will have one last chance to air their views before the City Council members cast their final votes.

Among those gathered to speak out at the Nov. 18 meeting was Jim Henry, pastor of the more than 10,000-member First Baptist Church in Orlando.

"I was disappointed with this initial vote," Henry told Florida Baptist Witness. "And disappointed in the representation from our Baptist leaders and laity."

Henry, said although other denominations appeared to be well represented at the meeting, there appeared to be few Baptists. He said he hopes for better attendance at the Dec. 2 meeting.

The proposed amendment, if adopted, will add the words "sexual orientation" to an existing human rights ordinance, making it illegal to discriminate against homosexuals in hiring, renting and accessing public accommodations. It would give homosexuals a protected class status similar to minorities, women and people with disabilities.

Alan Chambers, executive director of Exodus International, North America, told the Witness both sides arrived hours before the 2:00 p.m. start, where 75 citizens spoke before the Council until the meeting ended after nine. Exodus is a nonprofit, interdenominational Christian organization, which promotes the message of "freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ."

Chambers said the 20 people he lined up to speak were "clear, concise, compelling and redemptive. We had the facts and spoke lovingly."

Despite frequent comparisons of homosexuals to racial minority groups, this issue "absolutely did not mirror the fight for civil rights in the 60s," a number of African American speakers testified, according to Chambers.

In a statement to the Council, Henry said: "I have tried to stand on historic lifestyle choices that reflect our Creator, while giving room to these who do not. ... I believe there is a great middle where the average citizen stands in this community concern, where we want to have an environment fair to all, but not preferential to any."

In a separate statement to the Witness, Henry said: "I think the large percentage of Christians, Jews, Muslims and others who hold common moral grounds, believe it to be in the best interest of the neighborhood to vote 'no' on this amendment. It is a bridge too far." He urges voters to go to www.fbcorlando.org for more information.

Chambers told the Council, "I am not anti-gay or homophobic. I am opposed to special rights for homosexuals, just as I am opposed to special rights for heterosexuals, smokers, or any group of people who what protections based on their behavior. The debate today isn't over how one chooses to live their lives ... The debate is over whether behavior should be protected under the law."

The issue first surfaced in May 2001 when a citizen's group, the Orlando Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Committee (OADAC), requested a review of the human rights ordinance by the Human Relations Board. After an April 16 public hearing, the board proposed the change to the City Council.

In 2002, the City Council met several times before proposing the Ordinance. Since then, the city received a total of 8,727 letters, e-mails and faxes regarding the ordinance, according to Susan Blexrud, Orlando's director of communications. Most of those in favor of the amendment live within the city limits of Orlando.

Mathew Staver, president and general counsel of Orlando-based Liberty Counsel, urged citizens to petition Mayor Hood to exercise her veto power and Commissioner Ernest Page to reverse his vote. Staver said Commissioner Page is beginning to receive "a ground swell of opposition form the African-American community" against the amendment. Voters can send e-mails directly to Hood and Page from Liberty Counsel's website.

To contact the Orlando City Commission

Mayor Glenda Hood 407-246-2221

Phil Diamond (Dist. 1) 407-246-2001

Betty Wyman (Dist. 2) 407-246-2002

Vicki Vargo (Dist. 3) 407-246-2003

Patty Sheehan (Dist. 4) 407-246-2004

Daisy Lynum (Dist. 5) 407-246-2005

Ernest Page (Dist. 6) 407-246-2006