Dallas’ First Baptist Church to be site of Sunday morning protest

Tuesday’s vote passing the anti-gay-marriage amendment in California has galvanized that state’s LGBT community. Thousands have taken to the streets over the past two nights there, and protests are already scheduled through Sunday in cities throughout the state.

That same sense of urgent militancy appears to have taken hold here in Dallas, as well, with a protest planned outside the First Baptist Church in downtown Sunday morning during sermons on the topic “Why Gay is Not OK.”

In an e-mail sent to Dallas Voice on Thursday night, Sam Fulcher said he first noticed the marquis outside the church announcing the sermons on Tuesday night as he drove home from the Democratic Party celebration in the Bishop Arts District.

The sign said that the topic for sermons at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 10:50 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9, would be “Why Gay is Not O.K.”

According to information on the church’s Web site, firstdallas.org, the sermon appears to be part of a series by the senior pastor, the Rev. Robert Jeffress, titled “Politically Incorrect,” which will focus on “the seven most ‘outrageous’ beliefs that Christians can articulate in today’s world and why we should embrace them.”

Jeffress came to First Baptist last year after 15 years as pastor of First Baptist Church of Wichita Falls. Jeffress made a name for himself there as a vocal opponent of LGBT rights and in 1998 led the crusade to have two children’s books — “Heather Has Two Mommies” and “Daddy’s Roommate” from the shelves of the Wichita Falls Public Library.

Fulcher wrote in his e-mail: “I found it ironic and sad that on a night of such history and hope I was greeted with a sign stating ‘Gay is Not O.K.’ As one barrier is being shattered homophobia is alive and well and still accepted enough to be on the side of a building. The recent passing of bans on gay marriage in many of our states make this point even more obvious.”

Several other e-mails referencing the sign soon arrived in Dallas Voice e-mail inboxes, calling for LGBT people and their allies to join the protest Sunday.

According to Laura McFerrin, protesters will be gathering across the street from the church entrance on San Jacinto Street at 10 a.m. Sunday. She encouraged those attending to bring signs.