Remnants of Battles Lost

These signs, still in the hallway of a gay activist's house, were left over from the SC LGBT community's ill-fated fight against a 2006 amendment to ban same-sex marriage in the state constitution. South Carolina's voters passed it by a whopping 78% (only to be outdone by Tennessee, which approved a marriage ban with 81% of the vote). Among a handful of precincts that voted against the measure were some in Charleston, James Island and Folly Beach (which are sort of part of the greater Charleston area), and Columbia. Anyway, just a little reality check about the real bias against the gay community that still persists among all races in this state.

And while some black progressives I've spoken with here are extending a hand to gays and lesbians, a straight African-American gentleman told me he witnessed a church service today where a black minister literally railed against homosexuality. (Back to the labels again, I know... just trying give readers context for the sources and scenes.)

I personally experienced none of that preaching at the two predominately black services I attended, one of which was the highly popular MLK celebration at Morris Street Baptist Church (not to be confused with Morris Brown AME from an earlier post). But apparently, last year, one of the guest speakers at Morris Street Baptist's ceremony went on a full-fledged rant about homosexuality even as a number of out gays and lesbians watched from the pews. Following that service, gay activist Susie Prueter sent a letter to the minister there registering her disappointment at being singled out, especially at a service honoring Dr. King and his contributions. Though she never received a response, she's heard murmurs that the letter stirred conversation among leaders of the church community.