‘Palatine is better than that’: Pride advocates plan protest against church sign messages

Pro-LGBTQ+ groups plan to protest a Palatine church they say has been spreading messages of hate on its electronic message sign during Pride month.

The hourlong protest is set to begin at 6:15 p.m. Friday on the sidewalk by New Hope Community Church at 1023 E. Palatine Road.

One sign, with a rainbow background, reads, “Ditch Pride. Embrace Humility.”

Another read, “God invented marriage. It wasn’t up to us to reinvent it.”

Palatine resident Paul Dombrowski, founder of the Northwest Suburban Pride & Action Network pointed out the sign is across from a school and a Little League Baseball field.

“If one person sees that and understands it, and decides to (harm themself) or to not come out, that’s too much,” he said. “And a church shouldn’t be doing that.”

Dombrowski emphasized this is not a protest against religion or against faith, just the message of the church leaders.

“Palatine is better than that,” he said. “Palatine doesn’t need to have a church that’s spewing hate or veiled hate, especially during the month of Pride.”

The church came under fire last year for a reference to immigration on a sign that read, “Heaven has strict immigration laws, hell has open borders.”

Palatine this month has been the focus of controversy surrounding attempts to convince the village to fly the Pride flag at village hall. Although the attempts did not succeed, the village did issue a proclamation in honor of Pride Month.

NSPAN is sponsoring the event, along with Glen’s Friends, Suburban Singing Resistance, Liberal Moms of the Northwest Suburbs, Buffalo Grove Pride and Progressive Palatine.

Chelsea Laliberte Barnes, co-founder of Liberal Moms of the Northwest Suburbs, said protesters will bring their own signs carrying family-friendly messages supporting the LGBTQ+ community

“We are trying to let the community know that they are loved, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” she said.

Church officials say they won’t be swayed.

“We are simply putting up what we believe the Bible says, and to them that’s hate speech,” the Rev. James Pittman Jr., pastor of New Hope Community Church.

Pittman, who plans to meet with the group Friday, said people have different views and beliefs.

“We believe that Western civilization, particularly in the United States of America, was founded on Judeo-Christian values.”

He said it is not like he is singling out the LGBTQ+ community.

“We believe that sex outside of marriage is a sin, and I say that every Sunday,” he said.