Gay-rights proposal splits Topeka clergy
by AP from KansasCity.com on the Web, November 13, 2004
TOPEKA -- With the Topeka City Council preparing to consider a gay-rights
ordinance, some clergy say it creates special rights for one group and "violates divine law."
But other clergy said they supported the proposal because it would protect gay men and women from discrimination in employment, housing, lending and
access to public facilities.
The nine-member council plans to vote Tuesday. The proposal would amend existing ordinances prohibiting discrimination based on race, religion or
disability to include sexual orientation "or gender identity or expression."
Existing ordinances allow people who think they are the victims of discrimination to file complaints with the city.
About 20 clergy held a news conference Friday outside City Hall to protest the proposed ordinance.
They were members of two groups, the Topeka African-American Pastors Coalition and the Evangelical Association of
Greater Topeka, which together represent more than 100 churches, they said.
"It is our belief that the proposed amendment violates divine law," said the Rev. Aletha Cushinberry, pastor of the Apostolic Church.
"Many of us in the faith community cannot support this proposed amendment, because it opposes
our Christian belief system."
However, 54 clergy members issued a statement supporting the proposed ordinance.
"We want to be a city, from my point of view, that does not discriminate against anyone for any reason," said the Rev. Kathryn Timpany, pastor at the
Central Congregational United Church of Christ. "It is a justice issue."
The City Council rejected a similar ordinance two years ago on a 5-4 vote, but advocates promised they would try again.
Since then, four new council members have been elected or appointed.
"There's a lot of support throughout the Topeka community," said Tiffany Muller, co-sponsor of the proposal and a new council member who participated
in the 2002 effort. "It allows gay and lesbian members of this community to
feel a part of this community."
Clergy who oppose the proposal said that if council members don't want to reject the measure, they should put it to a public vote.
"I feel like they're forcing this upon us, and so we have to stand up and speak," said Chris Stewart, minister at the Southwest Church of Christ.
"They want special rights for homosexuals."
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