defending the First Amendment against the Christian right ...

... because if Jews don't speak out, they'll think we don't mind

Web JewsOnFirst

Optional Member Code

Please email us
(click here)
catcher@JewsOnFirst.org

And "bookmark" us at
JewsOnFirst.org

Jews on First
P.O. Box 2283
Rockville MD 20847

310-910-9153

Conference On Homosexuality Held In Manchester

By Jeff Small, KSDK Broadcasting (St. Louis, Missouri), February 26, 2005

People from 28 states were in St. Louis Saturday as part of a conference on homosexuality. Police and protesters were outside the event. The event was at First Evangelical Free Church in Manchester.

Organizers say the conference is about helping people make a change. As many as 400 protesters said the event is misguided and hurtful.

There were many differences represented in this crowd organizers estimated at more than 1,700. Each came with at least one thing in common: a desire to learn more about homosexuality or how to remove it from their life.

Organizers say people leave the event more loving, compassionate and understanding. They also say it's an attempt to help the Christian community deal with the often avoided issue of homosexuality. Mike Haley says it is about hope and not hate.

Carol Bernier is among those attending in support of the conference. Bernier says she used to live a homosexual lifestyle.

"I came out of it years ago and even now I still struggle with some issues. I still believe in their message and am here to support it and learn some more."

Protesters say those behind the event are giving confusing and sometimes false messages. They claim people are being told they will only be loved or accepted if they turn straight. Other protesters say the bottom line is people should be accepted for who they are.

One protestor, Dr. Ken Haller, says, "As a pediatrician, what really concerns me is what they purport to do. They are talking about changing one's sexual orientation but there is no evidence to show you can actually do that."

St. Louis County Police were out in full force during the conference. A spokesperson said the event went off without any problems.

Fair Use Statement: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.