Now they're burning the gay churches!

Holy shit is all I have to say:


EQUALITY VIRGINIA CONDEMNS ATTACK ON UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST IN MIDDLEBROOK



Equality Virginia today joined with all fair-minded people of faith in condemning an anti-gay hate crime against a UCC church in Middlebrook, Virginia.



“Our hearts go out to the people of St. John's Reformed UCC. No one should fear discrimination or hate violence because of religious beliefs or association with a particular faith,” said John Humphrey, co-convener of the People of Faith for Equality in Virginia. “The First Amendment and the Virginia Constitution guarantee religious freedom and a respect for a diversity of religious viewpoints. We urge support for the church and encourage all people of faith to join in dialogue about the effects hate violence can have on any affected community.”



On the morning of Saturday, July 9th, the church was vandalized with anti-gay graffiti and parts of the church were burned. According to the United Church of Christ web site, the fire did not burn the church building down, but the attack on the church has been traumatic to that congregation and the larger UCC community.



In addition, the side of the church was spray-painted with graffiti stating: “UCC Sinners” and “Gays Lovers”. UCC representatives believe that the graffiti could have been a result of the recent UCC Synod decision to support marriage equality.



“Hate violence is a form of domestic terrorism that leaves entire communities feeling victimized and vulnerable,” said Dyana Mason, Equality Virginia Executive Director. “It is critical that law enforcement agencies use whatever tools are available to them in investigating and prosecuting this crime.”



Equality Virginia has reached out to the church and UCC leadership offering support, and will be communicating with the local police department, the Attorney General and Commonwealth Attorney’s offices and the Federal Bureau of Investigation urging swift and appropriate action.



Currently, neither state nor federal hate crimes laws include real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, although the Federal Bureau of Investigation is currently looking into this crime as a civil rights violation.



Equality Virginia strongly supports passing legislation that will add sexual orientation and gender identity to all existing hate crimes laws. “This devastating attack on a community of faith within our Commonwealth demonstrates yet again the very real need for hate crimes legislation in Virginia,” said Joseph R. Price, an attorney and Chair of Equality Virginia.



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Equality Virginia(www.EqualityVirginia.org) is a statewide non-partisan lobbying,

education and support network for the GLBT community in Virginia.