Gay rights opponent in Arlington Heights Saturday
An outspoken opponent of gay rights will be both honored and picketed Saturday in Arlington Heights.
The Naperville-based Americans for Truth about Homosexuality will honor the Rev. Scott Lively at a dinner at Christian Liberty Academy.
Lively is founder of Abiding Truth Ministries and president of Defend the Family International. His books excoriate the “gay agenda,” and he was among religious leaders invited to address the Ugandan parliament in 2009 as that nation was considering powerful laws against homosexuality.
Outside the Saturday dinner the Gay Liberation Network will protest, as it does annually, said Roger Fraser of Rolling Meadows, a network member.
Fraser said the Network calls the event the “bigot banquet” and pickets will carry signs and protest loudly.
“In past years the protest has been very well attended by concerned people in the suburbs who don't want these hate groups representing or coming into their neighborhoods,” he said.
Peter LaBarbera, president of Americans for Truth about Homosexuality, said organizations that oppose groups like his are the real hate groups, describing them as “Marxist, radical and deceitful.”
Americans for Truth does not oppose gay people, but “the gay agenda,” he said. “We believe homosexuality is sinful.”
The Rev. Erwin Lutzer, senior pastor of Moody Church in Chicago, will be the main speaker at the dinner.
Fraser, a retired Palatine Township Elementary District 15 teacher, said he saw how students who were different were bullied, and that a lot of times people looked away.
“One thing I was determined to do when I retired was to protest and fight on behalf of minority rights,” he said. He and his wife, Pat, are both members of the Network.
The Rev. Calvin Lindstrom issued a statement explaining Christian Liberty Academy's support for LaBarbera and his organization, asking that it be printed in whole. It is on the Daily Herald website.
Lively is also speaking at a free event at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at Grace Gospel Fellowship, 4N220 Route 83, Bensenville.