Baptist-run homeless shelter receives no government funds

I’ve had several e-mails already this morning concerning my story in Friday’s edition about the young man who was allegedly kicked out of a Baptist-run homeless shelter in downtown Dallas for attending the Cathedral of Hope. I would guess that people find this story alarming for two main reasons.

First, Bradley Duke was homeless and was kicked out onto the street by the shelter. I mean, it’s one thing to say you don’t think same-sex couples should be allowed to marry, but to deny gay people basic human needs based on their sexual orientation seems unconscionable, especially from a religious organization.

Second, Duke alleges that he wasn’t kicked out of the shelter for being gay. He says he was kicked out merely for attending a predominantly LGBT church. This would be discrimination based on religion, in addition to sexual orientation.

A few of the e-mails have asked about whether the homeless shelter, Dallas Life Foundation, receives any goverment funds. According to DLF’s executive director, the answer is no. I’m not an attorney, but I assume that means they aren’t bound by certain requirements. Duke said he contacted Lambda Legal about the incident but was told he didn’t have a case. Gee, I suppose I should have included that in the story. Oops.