I just received via e-mail the above photo taken by a resident of Gatesville, Texas (outside Waco), who says she’s deeply offended by the message that’s been on the town’s only billboard for the last few days. As you can see, the billboard is known in Gatesville as “The Sign.” The resident who e-mailed the photo, who asked not to identified for obvious reasons, said “The Sign” is owned by the same person who owns Miller’s Sno-Biz, the snow cone shop which can be seen below it in the photo. I tried calling the phone number on the sign, but there was no answer and it wouldn’t allow me leave a message. (In case you’re wondering, the area code for Gatesville is 254). The owner rents out the sign for about $75 per day, and it’s possible that one of the local churches paid for this message, the resident said.
“Ignorance is absolutely appalling!” she said. “I hope this photo can be used to raise awareness that hate is alive and well deep in the heart of Texas.”
39 Comments
“Ignorance?” Try RELIGION.
Of course a Church, or some local Jesus nut-job bought the Ad. Or a Muslim. Or Methodist. Or Episcopalian. Or Mormon. Or Baptist. Or Jew. Or Catholic. Definitely one of those groups.
I would like to ask a philosophical question:
Why are we suddenly hearing so much about LGBT rights issues?
The Rainbow Lounge Raid, the kiss in El Paso, the kiss in Salt Lake, and now this sign (did I leave anything else out – I can’t keep up?)
I’m trying to figure out:
1) if these types of events have always been going on and are just now being reported?
2) if they have been going on and are just now being reported, why?
2A) Was it the Rainbow Lounge Raid that spurred all the national and international attention on LGBT discrimination outside of the big cities.
2B) Or are LGBT feeling empowered now that the media (“non LGBT media”) has shown recent interest in LGBT discrimination and just now more likely to report such items.
3) Another post mentioned that 4 people were still afraid to talk to police about the Rainbow Lounge Raid, so I’m wondering there are a lot of anti-LGBT events going on all over the place and people are just too afraid to speak up or report them.
Mark G: Wonders if there “are a lot of anti-LGBT events going on all over the place and people are just too afraid to speak up or report them.”
Every Sunday morning and for some, Wednesday evenings.
I tried to call but was unsuccessful as well.. I think this sounds like the perfect time for a road trip — demonstration under the sign. Invite the media and show them we won’t stand for it.
So we can rent the sign?
My $75 would say — We’re Queer, We’re Here, Get Used to It!.
Do you think he would post it, or is only negative ads allowed?
Perfect event for Queer Liberaction. Protest under the sign. Don’t forget to call the media or media whore Blake Wilkenson won’t show up.
“We’re Queer, We’re Here, Get used to it!” was the slogan of direction action group Queer Nation / ACT – UP.
Too bad ACT-UP would be vilivied if they were in Fort Worth today.
Carl, although I can smell the sarcasm coming from your statement, I think you’re on to something. Speaking of smelling, I think I smell a protest!
Marlin,
Just saw your post…I’ll put money in to buy that billboard. I wondering if it’s just business or personal for the snow cone shop owner?
Mark,
ACT UP was vilified by the gay and straight community of its day. While I think some remarks on both sides are over the top, I think that QL needs to understand that if they are going to use “in your face” tactics, they can’t complain when people “fight back.” If they really believe in what they are doing go for it. Just don’t expect everyone to support you.
A real life example. A conservative Christian church arrives at a gayborhood. They stand on the street corner screaming — you are all going to hell repent. Now this is direct action. Do you support their direct action activity based solely on the idea that you support direct action? Is their direct action wrong because it is abhorrent to you? Does a liberal church have the right to condemn these activists because they don’t agree with their whole doctrine? Does a conservative church, who believes the way to save the gays is to pray it away and not direct action have the right to criticize this direct action group because they don’t agree with their methodology? Or as you seem to argue does NO ONE have the right to condemn these people because based on what they sincerely believe (as I believe QL and their supporters sincerely believe in their cause and actions) they are acting in accordance with their righteous duty to save you from the hell fires of eternal damnation?
@Marlin: I think all those situations can coexist because just like I have the RIGHT to express my opinion, you have the right to agree or disagree. As long as I don’t FORCE my opinion on you then there is nothing wrong with my expression. The act of “in your face” activism is to take the cause out into the street. While I think we need the dipomatic PC way of creating change, we also need this type of activism. The Yin and the Yang if you may. However, when violence enters the picture or other forms of personal attacks whether phsysical or verbal attacks, then a line must be drawn. One thing I would like to point out is the phrase “Gay Rights.” I think we seriously need to separate ourselves from this wording because it evokes such strong emotional reactions from people. I think the sign is correct in stating Gay Rights are not Civil Rights. We are not fighting for Gay Rights, we are fighting for EQUAL RIGHTS. The sooner we distance ourselves from immflamatory wording, the sooner we can achieve our goals. Anyway, that’s how I see it. As far as these events coming to light now versus earlier, I think it is a hot button topic right now. I think we are a lot more connected now. Ten years ago we would not of had photographic eveidence like we have now. Evidence at the tip of our fingers on our phones. Also, I think the “movement” is gaining momentum now and people are not willing to just sit down and take it any longer. People are getting pissed off and we are wanting to expose those who hide behind their hatred and bigotry. It’s time we get really pissed of and show just how pissed off we are. I am struggling right now with paying my bills and keeping afloat, but I would sure as hell donate whatever I could to rent that damn billboard for a month. A protest is definitely called for. And as far as the comment about the media whore Blake Wilkinson, well thank god for the media whore. Do you think our fight would be getting half the amount of coverage if it weren’t for Blakes efforts? Sounds to me like a little petty background drama there.
The entire sign looks like someone made it in Vacation Bible School.
Tisha, I was quite serious. I think this is the perfect place for QL to do a protest. I also agree that renting the sign would be a good idea. I would suggest “Civil Rights Are Everyone’s Right, Courtesy of your GLBT brothers and sisters”. Of course the owner probably would not rent it being afaid that vandals would destroy it if it had a positive GLBT message.
On a serious note:
I would not recommend that anyone go down there.
People who are not familiar to with small town Texas may not understand the extreme amount of danger that would be involved with going down there.
It would be significant risk to personal safety from passerbys and from the police themselves. Plus the Nazi’s and/or the Klan might come like they did in Paris, Texas. The KKK’s head guy for Texas is in Waco which is nearby.
Chatter , chatter , chatter. So who is going to go down to this hick town and pony up the money to change the sign? Trish and Marlin, you can count me in.
And Brian, please seek counseling and stop blaming everything in the world on what you call “religion”.
If it isn’t “religion” that makes homosexuality “wrong,” Hardy – then what does?
I’ll seek counseling when you seek schooling.
Whoever goes down there needs to be prepared for the worst. Small town Texas is dangerous. Don’t do anything to get yourself arrested, hurt or killed… Not even the law is on your side…
When it comes to the Klan… Bring them on… I had a few run ins with the KKK, Neo-Nazi’s etc… Esp… down by Waco…
@ the first comment
As a jew, i would like to say most Jews are Pro gay rights. My synogouge performs gay marriages and guess where it is, Deep in the Heart of Texas!!!. I have been to many Temples and they all do this.
Way to be informed, Jackass.
@Hardy Haberman – So who is going to go down to this hick town and pony up the money to change the sign?
I won’t be able to make a trip myself, but I will GLADLY make a donation to changing the sign.
Jess:
The “official” belief of your religion is still “homosexuality is wrong.” Just because they perform gay marriages doesn’t mean they have altered their beliefs. Look it up. Jews still make it “wrong.”
So, then you belong to an organization that makes you wrong? Judaism has spent 4,000 years making homosexuality “wrong.” For marketing purposes (only) they are “accepting” and/or “tolerating” gays and lesbians.
I’m not sure about you, but there is nothing wrong with me that I need to be “accepted” or “tolerated.” Do they lovingly “tolerate” those straights at Synagogue?
Google it.
Jess,
Read this:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/06/AR2006120601247.html
“After years of discussion and two days of intense debate behind closed doors at a synagogue on Park Avenue, the law committee accepted three teshuvot, or answers, to the question of whether Jewish law allows homosexual sex. Two answers uphold the status quo, forbidding homosexuality.
But a third answer allows same-sex ceremonies and ordination of gay men and lesbians, while maintaining a ban on anal sex.”
Brian, do you have any idea of the irony of your apparent hatred of religion?
If you want people to accept you, you have to work at changing their perception of you. If they’re religious, help them to see that you’re not a threat to that. If you do nothing but mock their beliefs, how can you expect them to listen when you ask them to?
Well, it’s quite obvious that something has to be done. Whether it’s a protest or gathering funds to get that sign changed, I’m down with whatever. I think it’s time to start a new facebook page and get the ball rolling…hmmm.
Hey guys! For the Facebookers, I’ve just created a group in order to begin raising funds or organizing a protest to bring this sign down. Please join us!
https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=146994370032
@Brian
Clearly, you have written this from outside the perspective of Judaisim, because if you were Jewish, you would understand that Rabbis fight, bicker, and dissagree, finally settle on something, and it still isnt a consensus. And that is fine. The only things Jews agree on are the commandments, and event some of those are debatable, i mean, with six hundred and something of them (some of them having to do with homosexuality, others having to do with shellfish– oddly enough we take the shellfish one pretty seriously, and ignore the homosexuality one usually, the beastiality one seems like common sense now though).
What im trying to say is, Jews argue, we even have a book on Jews arguing, its called the Talmud. Read it if you like, theres some interesting stuff in it. Its essentially pages and pages of rabbis bickering over laws in the torah. There are few resolutions, and the resolutions there are, are bickered over later. We answer questions with questions. Its how we roll.
I am sure there are synogogues that are less accepting, that follow every torah word to the letter, (ie, not being accepting of homosexuality, condoms, and goodness knows what else) but the greater majority of them are. They also perform gay marriages.
TO MARK:
I do not have a hatred of Religion – I just know the truth is “nobody knows.” With 34,000 different religions/sects it’s really kinda hard to pick one. That’s why 99% of the so-called “religious” NEVER actually choose their religion – they inherit it… before they can think. So, while I am not an Atheist – because I believe everything is possible, including a God, my objection to religion i s simple:
RELIGION IS THE ONLY THING THAT MAKES HOMOSEXUALITY WRONG.
Therefore, it is odd that GAY people would associate with the institution that has caused ALL their pain and suffering. Yes, it is ALL religions – Jess can rationalize that Jews “accept” gays and they argue, but if you read the official doctrine of Judaism Homosexuality is Wrong. It is the same for all the other religions – even the UCC-Cathedral of Hope.
So, the con job here is this “welcoming and affirming” crap to get you and your money, but you’re still “wrong.”
This is important because it is religion that has defined homosecuality and gays for thousands of years – until we reject that and re-define our selves we will NEVER have equality. People hate gays because of what they were taught by their religion. If religion was making any progress, they wouldn’t still be teaching that. Ask your Church or Synagogue to sign a formal statement that Homosexuality isn’t a sin or wrong. They won’t. Not even for extra cash.
There is a “perfect storm” brewing in the GLBT community and I’m praying for rain.
Bil Nickols said: “I think all those situations can coexist because just like I have the RIGHT to express my opinion, you have the right to agree or disagree. As long as I don’t FORCE my opinion on you then there is nothing wrong with my expression.”
I hope you don’t misunderstand. I have supported and attended some of QL’s activities. All I am asking is for QL to a) Think about the consequences of direct action — that is it not always appropriate, and b) work alongside of other organizations that use different types of methods.
As you enter this discussion, please review comments made on the DV article about Blake’s actions at the Fort Worth City Council and what has been said, as well as several articles about this “direct action” in Instant Tea Blog following the events at the council meeting. Also, please look as the videos that can be found on You Tub, as well as queer liberaction’s website.
It is not a disagreement of their right and ability to do this. It is not a question of do I support QL. It is a question of time and place. I personally believe there is a time for direct action. I also believe there is a time for sitting down at the table.
As I said in another place. There is a time for the Boston Tea Party. But there comes a time when you have to sit down and write the constitution because you destroyed your previous government. We have pressured the city of Fort Worth to talk about the issue. Now lets use the forums that we need to to bring about change in policy and practice within the city government.
David McFatridge said, “There is a “perfect storm” brewing in the GLBT community and I’m praying for rain.”
Is that the gay storm predicted by the National Organization of Marriage. LOL
As far as the “sitting down” at a proverbial table to hash out new details on how things will be run is a ludicrous statement at this stage of the fight. Were it not for the forcing of whites to accept blacks into public schools or to freely mingle with them in social settings, we would still be “at the table.” Half hearted gestures and back handed compliments may placate you, but I am tired of dancing around the heart of this matter. While QL might appear to be doing damage they serve a purpose. That purpose is to give a face and voice to our refusing to sit at the back of the bus. It will be the quieter calmer group to swoop in and hash out the details after our point is made. Sure there will be a backlash initially, but this has to happen in order to move forward. AGAIN, I don’t condone physical violence but when presented with it, a reasonable amount of return force is expected. While I am hanging by my fingernails on the cliff of the Obama fans, I want to make sure we exhaust all our avenues before engaging in any drastic actions. That may sound contradictory, but a small burst of passion along with a physical and vocal presence is needed. You can argue religion is not to blame all you want, but in the end, it will come to pass that organized religion as we knew it is dead. People are waking up and smelling the phonies. While it may seem their desparate attempts are working, be assured they are not.
John,
thank you for calling this morning. I was in the process of entering a comment on this Dallas voice page when you called . John, I hope that you will not change any of what I am writing, I would appreciate having the opportunity to actually not have my words extracted from the context. I would also appreciate your allowing me to present the facts of this Billboard incident as they occurred from this perspective. I know that it is probably boring to most people and it may even sound long winded; sometimes a question cannot be answered in one short sentence. I do thank each and everyone of you who give your valuable time in reading this. Sometimes the plain truth is boring but it is still the truth. I believe that the world we live in does care about the truth and it is for this reason that I am writing this piece. I promise every reader that the following statements are ABSOLUTE TRUTH to the very best of my ability and recall.
1 John, you said that I defended the paid message on the billboard (“gay rights are not civil rights“). THE ABSOLUTE AND MORE COMPLETE TRUTH IS: I told you that Virginia Miller always disliked both History and Government classes, I said I was not even aware of what “Civil Rights” actually were until the last 24 hours. (It appears there were quite a few of us who did not like government/history or we were sleeping in those classes). I told you how much I hate Prejudice and that I hate it because I grew up victim to it. As a 1/2 Mexican 1/2 white child in the 50’s and 60’s, I was called “Pepperbelly, Wetback” and any and every other name that white people could trash my mother for. White children would say things to me that they were hearing at home (that would be learned later), I was never invited to sleepover at anyone’s home. This is how one teaches their children to take on their personal prejudices, the tool of exclusion. But here comes a twist, I was also excluded by MANY Mexicans . I was told that they wanted to hurt me physically, one day a Mexican girl 3 years older than myself wanted to beat me up because she believed that I thought I was better than them because I was half white. My white grandmother did not speak to me until I was about 11 years old.
2 TRUTH THRU THE EYES OF A CHILD By age 9, 3rd grade, I was made fully aware that both sides were guilty of prejudices. Both sides were guilty of prejudice actions, prejudice words, and prejudice behaviors and even prejudice “looks” (only a person who has endured discrimination knows what “looks“ I talk about). I do know prejudice — I know the pain of unacceptance, the pain of being told my life has less value than anothers life. My local High school would not allow me to participate in one of our programs because of my color, and so I went to another High school to graduate. One has to live these things to know them – you can not learn them in a book, in a seminar, classroom, etc… John, I know that I told you —- I, Virginia Miller, would NEVER intentionally hurt another human being the way that I have been hurt.
3 TRUTH IS – I WAS FURIOUS WHEN I READ THAT MESSAGE. i first reacted to the sign the way others have — I was appalled ! I demanded to know who its author was, I wanted that person’s phone number and his logic/reason to say such a thing. As I researched every article on civil Rights –I learned that my anger was misdirected because of my lack of knowledge in the “civil rights” subject area. Civil rights in these United States began in 1948, they have commonly been referred to as the African American Civil Rights because they were constructed to address the injustices black Americans were enduring. The word “civil” was used because the people were not being treated in a civil manner. Nearly every year since its creation adjustments have been made to make it both more meaningful and enforceable. Bo Miller loves the History/Government of this country and when he read this man’s message — He understood what it said. To those who have lived during the birth of civil rights and watched it endure the growing pains of change — those people hold the words “Civil Rights” in a manner which is different from those too young to have lived it. This knowledge caused their message interpretation to be as follows: “GAY RIGHTS WERE NOT PART OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT” (begun in 1948). Bo Miller happens to have this understanding of civil rights and this was what compelled him to allow the message. I t appears that the article, “Gay Rights Are Not Civil Rights” published in Charisma Magazine (July 2009) was written in some part to make the African American population aware of how their racial discrimination is now being used by another group to further their own agenda. There may be those who want to speak with the author and or publisher of this article.
3 TRUTH THROUGH A REPORTER’S EYES: I believe that the reporter would not have received all this attention had they reported both sides of this issue. I ask each of you to think about this …. What would have happened had they reported that Mr. Miller’s Interpretation of that message was “GAY RIGHTS WERE NOT PART OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT “(begun in 1948)? I believe this reporter intentionally misdirected the facts of this story in an effort to further their personal career and draw attention to the news story they were reporting on. When I spoke with Dollin’s, he regretted meeting with the reporter for the interview. Dollins spoke with her of many things he wanted the public to know. After catching the news report airing, he could see that those ideas were not ‘NEWS THAT SALES’ . The reporter had only interviewed him in the hopes of gleaning information that would further her personal discovery of Hate and Discrimination in a rural backward town.
4 HAVE YOU AND I BEEN DECEIVED ? You, the reader, were intentionally deprived knowledge of the facts on both sides of this issue. I believe You and I have both been used to further this reporter’s personal ambitions of recognition in the public’s eyes. Consider this …. What if the reporter would have informed the public that the message on the billboard was actually the title of an article in the July 2009 issue of Charisma? Would you have been stirred to the same degree had this TRUTH been reported to you? My final request is this — please consider — Would this reporter have received the same publicity had she reported either one of these truths (that she knew) about the people who were used in her report ?
I am Virginia Miller and I do love you, I H A T E that you were hurt by this. This entire horrible ordeal has caused my heart to weep, sometimes I am sitting, just sitting there, and out of no where water just drops from my eyes. I feel helpless in genuinely conveying to you my heart’s passion that you and I would both be loved and accepted by others as we fight to love and accept others even when they fail us.
This is the article that stirred a 75+ year old man to invest $300 so that others could share in the information he had been made aware of. Here is the web site to the article at Charisma. You are capable of making your own decisions, this is where it started. https://www.charismamag.com/index.php/features/2009/july/22272-gay-rights-are-not-civil-rights
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/title_vi.htm
Virginia,
I wanted to reply to your article. I would recommend that you continue your education. Civil Rights merely refer to legal rights. Legal rights conferred on any minority group. The civil rights movement didn’t begin in 1948. It began when the first human told another human that they will be treated equally.
In these United States, because of racism, religious bigotry, sexism, heterosexism, and homophobia. We have been and are still in a struggle for civil rights.
Since you are a woman I will use that as an example. When this country was formed it was hoped by some women, and probably some men that women would receive the civil right to vote and participate as full citizens in this country. They were not accorded that civil right. Even as women became lawyers and doctors they were denied positions and jobs. Sandra Day O’Connor, even with a law degree, and who would go on to become a Supreme Court Judge, was denied an equal position with her male colleagues in a law office. Women were, until the great work of many women who suffered imprisonment and abuse for standing up for their rights. Much of this was because women, until very recent times were merely slave labor for their male spouses. I could name a great number of civil rights that women didn’t have in this country until recent times. The womens’ rights movement was a civil rights movement. It has achieve some success, but women are still paid less for equal work. Women still don’t have equal representation in jobs, especially higher level jobs. Why does the Supreme Court have only one woman, hopefully soon two, when women make up better than 50% of our population. It is because women have been held back and don’t have civil rights.
On to the Charisma article. I read that article. It is based on a religious argument that gay men and lesbians can’t function sexually. He actually references the Bible a couple of times. This is not an argument for or against civil rights. This is religion used to reinforce a person’s personal bigotry. As others have written on this site, even Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Corretta Scott King, who are premier leaders of the black civil rights movement believed in equal rights for their fellow GLBT citizens. The Charisma article’s point is that since GLBT people can’t “reproduce” then they marriages aren’t valid. As long as this nation accords certain LEGAL RIGHTS (1138 at last count) to people who are married, then it is a CIVIL RIGHT. If the federal and state governments want to stop according heterosexual marriage special rights (inheritance, protection from testifying against spouse, special tax incentives, visitation rights, to name a few) then I will agree that it is not a civil right. But until that happens then we have a right to demand marriage as a CIVIL RIGHT.
Please note these Civil Rights that I am not accorded because of my sexual orientation. 1) Can be fired for being gay. 2) in some places can either be kicked out of home or refused rental rights because of my sexual orientation 3) Can be fired from the military simply for having a partner or dating someone of the same sex. This is not equal protection under the law. This is a call for civil rights.
As long as any group based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, religion, or any reason is not accorded full equal protection then we need to call for their CIVIL RIGHTS. We need fight for them. Demand them. Argue for them. Because when even one person doesn’t have equality it damages all or our equality. (paraphrase of Corretta Scott KIng)
Virginia,
A simple apology and a commitment to avoid advertisements like tihs in the future would probably do for most people. Or perhaps you’d be willing to put up a message for free for a few days with something like a number to a gay teen suicide hotline.
Virginia, I understand that your comment left here was an apology. I accept and believe you are sincere in that apology. I do believe you still misunderstand civil rights. There have been many civil rights movements over many, many years, all different races and ethnic group civil rights, women’s civil rights, gay civil rights, etc. Unfortunately, while most have gotten their civil rights, gay people continue to fight for their civil rights. There is much disagreement in the black community as to whether gay rights are civil rights. Here is a link to a good article and video of Black American Hero Julian Bond on the issue of gay rights vs black rights : https://blog.beliefnet.com/progressiverevival/2009/03/julian-bond-black-rights-and-g.html . It would be worthwhile. Race separation is a sad, sad and shameful chapter of our history. The modern persecution of sexual orientation is also sad and shameful. I believe that John Wright makes a good suggestion, a number to a gay teen suicide hotline for a few days would go a long way in healing yourself and the gay commuinty.
Equal rights for ALL persons are HUMAN RIGHTS. … does not matter who you are. Neither a person’s race nor orientation is a choice. Religion, or lack of, IS a choice, however.
Funny, that black Americans forget how whites (still to this day) use the Bible as justification for slavery.
Seriously, does it not occur to anyone that there are actually African American Gay Christians around who could speak to the truth on both sides or are we still walking around stereotyping all Christians and all gays as mutually exclusive? This sign is the epitome of stereotypical stupidity or does anyone in Texas even remember the name Baynard Rustin?
Gatesville full of HATE.
This is a town who was built on the blood of orphans. This is the town who is responsible for a 120 year old state agency that abuses orphans and widows. Gatesville should be a center of satanic hate, it’s part of its roots, its ancestor. This is a dark satanic city who made Kitchens its Sharif. Bible scholars know the fate of a people whose profits are from the abuse of orphans’ and widows.
Ok wait a second I’m from Gatesville I am only finding out about the sign today. While I do believe that glbt is wrong, I don’t believe there anything wrong with the people that practice. I do pray for their salavation but I won’t condemned. That sign only represents a small percentage in Gatesville. I don’t think it is everyone that believes that gay rights is not civil rights. I definitely don’t. of course I don’t live there any more but I would like to go back one these years. Another thing Gatesville is not satanic. It is beautiful town with a few bad people in it as for the kkk I wouldn’t know.
Hate? Where’s the hate? Just because someone doesn’t agree with you, that doesn’t mean hate is involved. Why are people on your side of the aisle (by that I mean liberal) quick to assume that someone hates something just because they don’t fall in line with your way of thinking. It’s obvious that you can’t pull the race card in this situation, so instead you played the hate card? How dumb is that?
If you disagree with the sign, put up your own. It’s that simple.