Sunday, September 26 - Protest against "ex-gay" charlatan Stephen Bennett in Oak Park. 5 pm, in front of Calvary Memorial Church, 931 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL.

Stephan Bennett's "ministry" is part of a national effort to fan the flames of bigotry and codify a second class citizenship for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Taking advantage of bigotry inflamed by the "gay marriage" debate, Bennett preaches not only a "conversion" for gays, but is against our equal civil rights including protection from discrimination in housing and employment as well as access to the civil contract of marriage.

The Church has taken the extraordinary step of sending a mailing to every single household in Oak Park and Forest Park to promote their hate-gays events. Believing that "no one is born gay", Stephen Bennett preaches that his interpretation of the Bible can get others to "overcome" their gay sexuality. Claiming to be an "ex-gay" himself, Bennett is a man who is lying to both himself and to others. In so doing, he promotes hatred and discrimination against the entire gay community. He compares homosexuality to alcoholism and drug addiction. Whether you are straight or gay, we invite you to join us in protesting against Bennett and making it clear to him and his followers that their hatred is NOT welcome in Oak Park. With the President using anti-gay hate to promote his election hopes, he helps promote a political environment in which more forthright bigots like Bennett can flourish.

We ignore hate promoters like him at our peril. Protest cosponsored by the Chicago Anti-Bashing Network (www.CABN.org) and Equal Marriage NOW! (www.EqualMarriageNOW.org).

Taking public transportation, go west by Green Line to Oak Park Avenue stop. Go north to Lake Street, then west to the church. By car take the Eisenhower Expressway west to the Austin exit, go north to Lake Street, then west to the church. If you need a ride from the city, email Bob at rufnel (at) aol.com or call him at 773.878.3697.

The Metropolitan Community Church of Oak Park is going to be joining us for the 5 pm protest, and they have invited us to participate in some activities of theirs earlier in the day celebrating their 10th anniversary in Oak Park, and also a rally at their church against Bennett, followed by a march through Oak Park to the Calvary Memorial Church, where Bennett will be speaking.

New Spirit Metropolitan Community Church Statement:

Happily, this weekend marks the 10th anniversary of the New Spirit Metropolitan Community Church, 542 S. Scoville in Oak Park.Over the past 10 years the gay, lesbian,bisexual, transgender and heterosexual members of New Spirit MCC have lived the joy, reverence and excitement of our fellowship and faith in God.

Whether you are straight or gay, we invite you to join us in celebrating our anniversary, in sharing fellowship with our community and in peaceful protest against Bennett and the hatred and ignorance that he and those like him espouse.We all need to come together to make it clear to Bennett and his followers that their hatred is NOT welcome in Oak Park or anywhere.

Schedule of activities:

11:00 Celebratory Service and Concert featuring Prism, a gay trio from California who spread a message of hope to the LGBT community through Christian Gospel.

12:30 Dinner in our fellowship hall. [FREE!]

1:30 - 4:30 Rally featuring speakers from local LGBT organizations, snacks, music and entertainment.

4:30 March to Calvary Church/Peaceful showing of unity.

5:00 Peaceful protest.


Please forward this mail to everyone on your address list !

Protest cosponsored by the Chicago Anti-Bashing Network (www.cabn.org/) ,Equal Marriage NOW!(www.equalmarriagenow.org/) and New Spirit Metropolitan Community Church (www.newspiritmcc.org/)

Taking public transportation:
Go west by Green Line to Ridgeland stop. Go south on Ridgeland to Madison Street, then west to Scoville. Then 1 block South to New Spirit MCC 542 S. Scoville.

By car:
Take the Eisenhower Expressway west to the Austin exit, go north to Jackson Street, then west to Scoville. Go one block north on Scoville to New Spirit.