"The churches were startled and alarmed and began to get involved. . . . The target was painted on the church. Once they saw that, they began to get involved and message their people."For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
-- Calvin Morrow, of nearby Mansfield, MO and executive director of Christians Uniting for Political Action
Pastors Lead Local Battles Against 'Gay Rights'
Springfield Police Steal Preacher's Amplifier to Shut Him Up
Democrat Missouri Governor Signs Religious Liberty Law
Kansas GOP Governor Rescinds 'Gay Rights' of Dem. Governor
New Law Against 'Gay Rights' Ordinances Passes in Arkansas
Sexual Deviancy Special Class? Not in Charlotte, North Carolina
New Mississippi Religious Liberty Law Infuriates Liberals
But in Arizona, Homosexualists & Liberal Media Defeat Religious Liberty
And in Texas, Houston Lesbian Mayor Subpoenas Sermons of Pastors Who Oppose 'Gay Rights'
And read Media, Gays Shut Down Indiana Christian Pizza Restaurant
Also read how the Gay Agenda attacks Christians one town at a time across America because the homosexualists have been unable to force the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) through Congress.
-- From "Springfield, Mo., repeals discrimination protection for gays" by The Associated Press 4/9/15
Voters in Missouri’s third largest city of Springfield voted Tuesday to repeal an ordinance that provided protection against discrimination in housing and hiring based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Unofficial final results showed that repeal of the ordinance passed with 51.4 percent of the vote.
Opponents of the nondiscrimination ordinance have said it violates their freedoms by preventing them from operating a business according to their religious beliefs. Others have said that sexual predators would be allowed to use women’s restrooms and have questioned whether discrimination against gay and lesbian residents actually occurs.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Springfield, Mo., voters repeal LGBT anti-discrimination law" by Sarah Parvini, Los Angeles Times 4/8/15
"It gives anyone claiming to be transgender the right to choose which public locker room, dressing room, bathroom, or other previously gender specific area they wish to use," the Yes on Question 1 campaign wrote on its website.
The campaign insisted it was not likening transgender people to sexual predators, arguing that "sexual predators, usually heterosexual, can and will use this ordinance to pretend to be transgender in order to access women's locker rooms, dressing rooms, bathrooms, women's shelters, and other private areas."
The ACLU of Missouri said it would continue to advocate for a state law protecting the LGBT community. Marty Rouse, national field director for the Human Rights Campaign, called Tuesday’s vote "disappointing."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Emotions high as LGBT protections repealed in Springfield" by Stephen Herzog, Springfield News-Leader 4/8/15
Justin Burnett, who won a council seat Tuesday, supported the repeal of the ordinance. He said it was a win for small business and the faith community.
"The problem with the ordinance is that it had so many potential legal ramifications for businesses, for public safety, for the good of the city," he said. "There was no need for the ordinance."
Thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours were poured into both sides of this campaign — which was always passionate and sometimes ugly.
Mayor Bob Stephens, who was re-elected Tuesday, did not give his view of the issue during the campaign, but said he thought it should be decided on the federal level.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Anti-Bias Ordinance Falls in Springfield, Missouri, After Push by Christian Conservatives" by Eli Yokley, New York Times 4/9/15
The campaign pitted national gay rights groups against leaders of many of this city’s large churches. Human Rights Campaign, based in Washington, spent more than $27,260 on the “One Springfield” effort against the repeal measure. Its financial support was assisted by a $10,000 check from the Gill Action Fund to finance advertisements and organizational efforts.
But the outside money defending the ordinance motivated local and, to an extent, national efforts to support repeal. More than $37,600 was contributed late in the push by the National Black Robe Regiment, a group that describes itself as a network that helps pastors “to engage in their biblical and historical role to stand boldly for righteousness and transform society through spiritual and cultural engagement.”
“The issue was pretty simple: We had a poorly written law that exposed people to litigation that could be frivolous, No. 1,” Mr. Morrow said. “Based on a lot of other results, this type of legislation is being used to target Christians.”
Before Tuesday night, Springfield was one of 15 Missouri cities — including St. Louis, Kansas City and Columbia, a college town — that had such ordinances.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Gay rights supporters plan next steps" by Stephen Herzog, Springfield News-Leader 4/8/15
“We have seen powerful growth in Springfield through this campaign, and we are so proud of this community, regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s vote,” said Stephanie Perkins, deputy director of PROMO, a statewide gay rights advocacy group. “We will continue working to pass statewide nondiscrimination protections so all gay and transgender people — including in Springfield — will be protected at their jobs and homes.”
That statewide effort is key. The act would basically give all of Missouri the same protections that were voted down in Springfield on Tuesday.
A state Senate committee voted to move along the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act on Wednesday, and the House Criminal Proceedings Committee is expected to hear the bill next week.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Business, Pro Sports, GOP Urge Supreme Court to Go 'Gay Marriage'
And read Vice President Biden Says 'Gay Rights' Trump Religious Beliefs
