Date: Sat, 11 Nov 1995 09:40:26 -0500
From: GLAADNATL@aol.com
Subject: GLAAD's response to homophobic letter in Gleaner

The following was a letter to the editor sent to the Gleaner, which is the
local paper in Henderson, Kentucky.  Reverend Michael Piazza, senior pastor
of the Dallas Cathedral of Hope, responded to this letter for GLAAD.  See the
letter following the reprint of Pastor Butler's letter.

TITLE:  WE NEED "STAY IN CLOSET" DAY
Editor:
Sodomy is shameful and should be kept in the closet.  As an area pastor, I
have a responsibility to warn others that sodomy, along with other sins
of fornication, should be avoided by anyone who claims to be a follower
of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What we need is a national "Stay in the Closet" Day to remind "gays," as
they're so-called, their sin of sodomy is condemned by the Bible, the
word of God.

The Bible teaches they (gays) must turn from their sin and to the Lord
Jesus Christ for forgiveness.  That's what they need!  We should all be
ashamed of ourselves when we do wrong.

The drunkard is no different.  Should be give them a comprehensive civil
rights amendment to protect drunkards and other sin-loving fold?  God
forbid!  There should be discrimination against anything that breaks
God's laws.

We as Christians are not helping people who are engaged in the sin of
sodomy by telling them to come out of the closet.  That statement alone
is hurting them, causing them to feel proud of something shameful and
sinful.  Our aim here at Bible Way Baptist Church is to tell the truth,
thereby helping those who want to know the truth.  Ephesians 5:11 states,
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather
reprove them."

By the authority of God's word, I publicly reprove anyone condoning the
act of sodomy as a lifestyle for a Christian.

Pastor Jeff Butler
Bible Way Baptist Church
214 Letcher Street
Henderson, KY 42420
(502) 826-6919

The Gleaner
455 Klutey Park Plaza
Henderson, KY 42420

And GLAAD's response is:

Dear Pastor Butler,

     It is amazing to me how obsessed heterosexual people are with sex.

     Who said anything about sodomy coming out of the closet, or even
coming out of the bedroom where it belongs?  Did you forget that
heterosexuals
can and do commit acts of sodomy?

     Being gay or lesbian is not about how you have sex or even with whom
you have sex.  A person can be gay or lesbian without having sex.  You are
reducing people to a specific sexual act.  That act may be good or bad, right
or
wrong, depending on your interpretation of scripture and theology.

     What I think is wrong is that Christians are willing to use the writings
of
Paul to justify their bigotry.  Brother Butler, why don't you give following
Jesus a try?  He said, "Judge not..." and "Love your neighbor..." and "What
you do to the least, you do to me."

     You know, I don't think Jesus said a thing about homosexuality or
sodomy.  So just to be on the safe side, I think I'll follow him.

     Faithfully,

     Rev. Michael S. Piazza