Cultures Clash Outside of Human Rights Dinner

While President Obama spoke inside, pro-life activists were one of many groups demonstrating outside.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - Randall Terry, founder of Operation Rescue and pro-life activist, stood with his bullhorn Saturday evening outside the Washington Convention Center and challenged the crowd to stop killing babies. He wasn't alone. The "God Hates Fags" people, the anti-war group Code Pink, and more than 100 LGBT activists were also competing for the attention of arriving guests.

Inside the Human Rights Campaign which bills itself as "the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization," was holding its annual awards dinner. President Obama, the keynote speaker, used the opportunity to fulfill a campaign promise that the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy would be removed, thus allowing homosexuals in the service of their country to openly affirm their orientation.

On the sidewalks of Mount Vernon Place, Code Pink let President Obama know they were not happy with his support of America's armed conflict. The LGBT presence also had a message for the president, he wasn't moving fast enough or fierce enough in support of gay rights.

In a press release last week, Terry indicated that he and others wanted to be present to remind those present that God loves them and can release them from self-destructive behavior.

The release states, ""We can - and must - meet these men and women with compassion; they are made in the image of God, and Christ died to forgive us all of our sins. We all have sin; we all need his love and forgiveness.

"But that is exactly the issue: homosexual behavior is a mortal sin. It is self-destructive. It is against nature. It needs forgiveness, not codification and normalization.

The Christian message of redemption, hope and life was obscured due to the presence of some members of Westboro Baptist Church, the proponents of the "God Hates Fags" message from Topeka, KS.

Terry also announced that he and others will have a presence along the parade route for the National Equality March on Sunday afternoon.

-----

Randy Sly is the Associate Editor of Catholic Online. He is a former Archbishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church who laid aside that ministry to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church.

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'