KXL News reports tonight that two men holding hands were attacked and beaten on Sunday night in Portland - apparently because of their sexual orientation. The assault is being investigated as a hate crime.
KXL is the home of The Lars Larson Show. Larson, who once called a gay congressman a "fag" on-air, is a strong opponent of civil rights for gay and lesbian Americans. Hateful rhetoric like Larson's helps to set an atmosphere where violence against gays and lesbians is permissible.
We are called to see within one another the face of God. When we follow this commandment we stop being simply gay or straight, black or white, male or female, Christian, Jew or Muslim. We simply become the children of God.
Larson, who claims to be a Christian, could live out his faith in new and faithful ways by using this occasion to apologize for his anti-civil rights work, much as George Wallace and other opponents of racial integration finally did, and seek God's forgiveness by engaging in reconciliation work that advances the common good of our community by promoting equality and justice.
Related Link: It Is Good: Family & Community In The Tradition Of Jesus (A Sermon For Pride Sunday)
