On Friday night, I responded to a tweet by
Peter LaBarbera referencing NC's Amendment 1 measure, which would add language to the NC constitution which would define marriage as between one man and one woman.
DL Foster, Patrick Wooden, Peter LaBarbera
For those of you unfamiliar with Peter LaBarbera, he is the president of
Americans For Truth About Homosexuality , an anti-LGBT organization that is classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. He's a horrible, horrible man.
As I was preparing to reply to LaBarbera's tweet, Pastor DL Foster, founder of the
ex-gay ministry organization
Witness Freedom Ministries chimed in by praising NC conservatives and people of faith for their 'passion' for fighting 'evil' homosexuality.
For those of you unfamiliar with DL (yes, that's what he goes by) Foster, he was "delivered from homosexual sin over 22 years ago," and now reveres himself as "an expert, well versed on issues in the cross section of sexuality and theology." His
Website states that he's been "quoted, cited and interviewed extensively in such media venues as CNN, Newsweek, Charisma, WorldNetDaily, 700 Club Newswatch, AOL Black Voices, Faith Under Fire, ABC News, Jewish World Review, TV One Network and numerous other print and broadcast mediums."
It was an ugly and disjointed discussion, if you can even call it a discussion. As these things go, it was sloppy, rapid-fire torrent of off-the-cuff remarks, retorts, overlapping threads and nothing even resembling a conclusion.
If anything useful came out of it, hopefully the below
Storify -zation of the melee will show you what we're up against on May 8, and just how important it is that people get out and vote.
We won't change the minds of folks like Pete and DL. We're better off using that time and energy making sure that people know the harms of the amendment, and that they actually go to the polls to vote.
Anyway, here goes...
[<a href="http://storify.com/eshep/my-twitter-fight-with-two-anti-lgbt-religious-bigo" target="_blank">View the story "My Twitter Fight With Two Anti-LGBT Religious Bigots" on Storify</a>]<h1>My Twitter Fight With Two Anti-LGBT Religious Bigots</h1><h2>Friday evening, Mar. 30, I responded to Peter LaBarbera's tweet about Amendment 1. </h2><p>Storified by Eric L Shepherd · Mon, Apr 02 2012 13:12:34</p><div>There's LOTS of energy among conservatives + churchgoers for Marriage Protection Amendment in N. Carolina. Vote is May 8. It will pass.Peter LaBarbera</div><div>@PeterLaBarbera Im def proud of how ppl in NorthCarolina are stepping up w/ such passion. They realize if they do nothing, evil will triumphPastor DL</div><div>@witnessfreedom @PeterLaBarbera Remember when NC added that amendment that made it illegal for blacks to use the white water fountain?Eric L Shepherd</div><div>.@eshep @witnessfreedom Nice try, U elitist snob. NC Blacks are leading the way in support of the Marriage Amendment (May 8). #tcotPeter LaBarbera</div><div>@PeterLaBarbera @witnessfreedom ...leading the way to enshrine discrimination in the constitution. Must feel great. Christian love work.Eric L Shepherd</div><div><i>Typo: I had meant to write 'Christian love at work.'</i></div><div>@eshep @PeterLaBarbera I feel VERY good about voting against homosexual marriage. It brings me great joy. #noshamePastor DL</div><div>@eshep @PeterLaBarbera No I dont. Why should I? Are you trying to stir up some red neck style racism?Pastor DL</div><div>@witnessfreedom @PeterLaBarbera Your Christianity is awesome! And super theocratic, also!Eric L Shepherd</div><div>@eshep @PeterLaBarbera I follow God, not Christianity. Quote me on that. you have a problem with God and project it on "christianity"Pastor DL</div><div>@witnessfreedom @PeterLaBarbera I am the furthest from racist. Point is, we don't use the constitution to deny rights.Eric L Shepherd</div><div>@witnessfreedom @PeterLaBarbera I have a problem w/people like you & Porno Pete legislating your Bronze Age mentality on to the rest of us.Eric L Shepherd</div><div>@witnessfreedom @PeterLaBarbera FACT: same sex marriage existed before the Abrahamic God came on the scene.Eric L Shepherd</div><div>@eshep @PeterLaBarbera and I have a problem with closet racists. That would be you.Pastor DL</div><div>@eshep @PeterLaBarbera SIN existed before the Abrahamic covenant. So what else is new?Pastor DL</div><div>@witnessfreedom @PeterLaBarbera You don't fucking know me, Rev. I have fought for equality most of my adult life (incl. racial equality).Eric L Shepherd</div><div>@eshep @PeterLaBarbera oh little timmy know how to cuss. VERY Impressive. Keep UR racist lectures in the closet where they belong, hypocritePastor DL</div><div>@PeterLaBarbera @witnessfreedom Read your history, Pete. Monotheism is younger than marriage. It is also younger than same sex marriage.Eric L Shepherd</div><div>@PeterLaBarbera @eshep he acts like black ppl ought to be bowing before him because he has "fought for racial equality" #geethanksmassahPastor DL</div><div>@witnessfreedom @PeterLaBarbera DL, please, please explain where I have exhibited racism. Ever. You're making things up.Eric L Shepherd</div><div>@witnessfreedom @PeterLaBarbera I don't subscribe to the concept of 'sin.' Why should taxpaying NCians be forced to do so?Eric L Shepherd</div><div>@witnessfreedom @PeterLaBarbera when did each of you make the decision to be straight?Eric L Shepherd</div><div>@PeterLaBarbera @eshep he acts like black ppl ought to be bowing before him because he has "fought for racial equality" #geethanksmassahPastor DL</div><div>@eshep @PeterLaBarbera I get very concerned when whites like U start trying 2 lecture blacks abt racism and oppression as if we dont knowPastor DL</div><div>@eshep @PeterLaBarbera now we are descending into stupid question hour. I dont do strawmenPastor DL</div><div>@witnessfreedom @PeterLaBarbera you are seriously delusional. How does refuting my alleged 'closet racism' indicate I want u to bow?Eric L Shepherd</div><div>@eshep @PeterLaBarbera but you want me to subscribe to the concept of homosexual equality? I pay taxes too so whats your point?Pastor DL</div><div>@witnessfreedom @PeterLaBarbera I didn't lecture you. I asked a Q alluding to the legislation of discrimination, which should be appalling.Eric L Shepherd</div><div>@witnessfreedom @PeterLaBarbera how is equality denying you rights?Eric L Shepherd</div><div>@eshep @PeterLaBarbera I guess you brought up your alleged racial equality fighting expecting me 2 B grateful. Im not interestedPastor DL</div><div>@witnessfreedom @PeterLaBarbera because you don't have an answer.Eric L Shepherd</div><div>@eshep @PeterLaBarbera you assume that I think its "discrimination" to vote against gay marriage. I dont.Pastor DL</div><div>@witnessfreedom @PeterLaBarbera I wasn't asking u to be grateful. I asked if it made sense to codify discrimination based on natural traits.Eric L Shepherd</div><div>@witnessfreedom @PeterLaBarbera it is discrimination to deny rights based on a person's natural traits.Eric L Shepherd</div><div>.@eshep @witnessfreedom Liberal racism: accusing blacks who stand for traditional sexual mores of being the moral equiv. of the KKK. #tcotPeter LaBarbera</div><div>@eshep @PeterLaBarbera ...and why is it a problem for U that I vote based on what I believe? Americans are NOT monolithic in beliefPastor DL</div><div>@eshep @PeterLaBarbera more ASSUMPTIONS about immutabilityPastor DL</div><div>@PeterLaBarbera @eshep exactly he doesnt realize his own latent racism. He brought that up to put me in my place I guess.Pastor DL</div><div>@eshep @PeterLaBarbera good cause I can tell U I dont need a racial history lesson or reminder from you. I vote my belief. Thats my rightPastor DL</div><div>@witnessfreedom @PeterLaBarbera the problem lies in the constitutional codification of discrimination. That is not what const. it is for.Eric L Shepherd</div><div>@PeterLaBarbera @witnessfreedom 'traditional' is relative to time and place and belief. It was once traditional for women not to vote.Eric L Shepherd</div><div>@witnessfreedom @PeterLaBarbera wow. You're a real piece of work, Rev. I am so glad you've made me aware of how discriminatory I am. Thx!Eric L Shepherd</div><div>@eshep @PeterLaBarbera youre welcome. Is this Xchange over?Pastor DL</div><div>@witnessfreedom @PeterLaBarbera Good luck with your insecurities.Eric L Shepherd</div><div>Its sad that we cant express our opinions without a bunch of hateful #Godbashers running up in your face.Pastor DL</div><div>@PeterLaBarbera he and his retweet lemmings immediately start the bullying, name calling and stupid garden variety lib fibsPastor DL</div>
It's probably worth noting that DL Foster blocked me immediately after this 'conversation.' I've only been blocked (that I'm aware of) by two other accounts: Governor Rick Perry and the Pro-Amendment organization NC 4 Marriage.
He's in good company.
