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Heinbaugh calls Leppert’s choice of anti-gay church ‘a highly personal decision’
November 3rd, 2009I finally received a response from Chris Heinbaugh, Mayor Tom Leppert’s openly gay chief of staff, about the mayor’s recent decision to join First Baptist Church of Dallas, which is led by famed homophobe Robert Jeffress, whom Leppert calls a “good guy.” In fairness to Heinbaugh, he was out of town yesterday and unable to get back to me until now. Here’s his response thus far:
“Choosing a place of worship is a highly personal decision and I am not about to comment on where the Mayor goes to church.”
You call it highly personal. I call it highly political. I also call it a slap in the face to not only the LGBT community, but also to Hindus, Muslims and Mormons, whom Jeffress has accused of worshipping “a false God.” For more on Jeffress’ virulently anti-gay record, including his campaign to ban books at the Wichita Falls library in 1998, go here. Above is our report from last year’s protests outside First Baptist in response to Jeffress’ sermon, “Why Gay is Not O.K.”
For an update, go here.
Tags: Chris Heinbaugh, First Baptist Church of Dallas, Robert Jeffress, Tom Leppert
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
cop out………
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:13 pm
It’s too bad the mayor has to put his chief of staff in this position. On the other hand, I’m sure that the people at First Baptist think Mayor Leppert is going to hell for walking in the gay pride parade and for hiring an openly gay man.
Choosing where to go to church is a personal decision, but going to a church that judges you is a really dumb personal decision.
November 4th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
I wonder if we’re not over-reacting? Perhaps the Mayor will continue to ‘reach out’ to GLBT community as always, and just perhaps, his doing so will have some impact among the parishners there? Aren’t we, by passing judgement on him, name-calling and such, doing exactly what it is we dont like about the Mr Jeffress? Just a thought…
November 4th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
This is absurd. He could have shunned you guys all together and not participated in the parade or be open to hiring gays. Get over it…geez. Over reaction!
November 5th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Choosing where to go to church IS a personal decision. So much so that you shouldn’t even be talking about it here. If you have an opinion against it, that is fine but his relationship with his God is only HIS business. Nuff said.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:30 am
I’m a gay man and I agree, this is absurd. The Voice thinks Leppert needed to consider the LGBT community when deciding where to worship? Honestly it’s none of my or your business. This embarrassing whining by the voice only gives Jeffress more publicity, so congrats for that. Go back to your weekly porn star coverage, the Voice treats porn stars like they’re upstanding members of the community, but get angry when a man joins a church.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:54 am
The Lord came to me last night and told me that Mayor Tom should go where he leads him.
He said that Mayor Tom should follow the good Rev. Jeffress, except when he goes to the glory holes on Harry Hines. He also told me that he watches alll the gay people masturbate.
He said that Lindsey Lohan will make a big comeback in 2011. He told me that John Wright will accept the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior and then buy a Harley Davidson and date Jenna Jameson. He thinks that we do not give the credit to Carrott Top he deserves and that the new Joy Behar show is FAB. He told me in private that the other half of Star Jones is being as pool covers for the wealthy.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:27 am
What a bunch of whiners. You remind me of a bunch of little kids fighting over who got the bigger cookie.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:07 am
[...] getting crucified in the comments below and also over at The Dallas Morning News’ City Hall blog for comments I made concerning Mayor [...]
November 5th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
This is why I do not buy your paper. Who cares.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Why am I getting the vibe that the people on this thread are not part of the GLBTQ community?
I am never going to buy the Dallas Voice either. It is far too expensive so please cancel my subscription immediately. I do plan on keeping my rainbow tote bag that came with my subscription.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
@ Dan Giagalas
@ Jack E Jett
da paper is FREE just like the observer, quick, papercity, greensheets
its even free and i dont read it
November 5th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
TxStoney….
I was just joking Dan about it costing. I was wondering if someone who thinks the Dallas Voice charges must not have been to a gay bar recently.
Dan….said….that is why I don’t buy your paper……..
I was just making a bad pun…….