We've long known that some people won't let logic get in the way of a good rant. The case this time is Peter LaBarbera, an ex-gay gadfly, who I can usually ignore. If you really want to know more about him, I’m sure you can get your fill from the sidebars at Pam's House Blend or the Box Turtle Bulletin.
But to the nonsense at hand. LaBarbera is annoyed with the media attention around the Knoxville church shootings and he says that proves that hate crimes to protect gays aren't necessary. So if the media attacked gays (which would rile up more crimes against gays) then hate crime laws are necessary? Perhaps to LaBarbera's dismay the FBI is treating the case as a hate crime -- based on religion. The gunman chose that church for its liberal religious beliefs, one of which is to welcome gays. Hate crime laws still don't protect gays and if the crime had happened in a gay community center you can be sure the FBI would not be involved.
i didnt know peter L. was a n 'ex-gay" do u have any source on that? i thought he was just a crazy "straight" guy obsessed with gays. was he formerly active as a homosexual?
ReplyDeleteAlas, when I went looking for it -- though refusing to look on LaBarbera's own sites -- I couldn't find the reference that he is ex-gay. However, I'll note that the screechiness of his rants sounds like one who is claiming, "If I can overcome my gayness you can had better do the same." Then there is his insistence on doing "research" into the depravity of the Mr. Leatherman conventions every year. He says he is concerned about the state of marriage yet he never does research into adultery.
ReplyDeleteLaBarbera codes it, that is, instead of saying he was delivered from homosexuality, he says instead he was delivered or saved from sin.
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