Pro-gay Christians to bear witness to Falwell - Nation - pro-gay movement to attend services at Rev. Jerry Falwell's church - Brief Article

National Catholic Reporter, Sept 27, 2002 by Gill Donovan

The Rev. Mel White, a former ghostwriter for the Rev. Jerry Falwell who now leads an interdenominational pro-gay movement called Soulforce, has leased a cottage across the street from Falwell's church in Lynchburg, Va. White, who co-founded Soulforce with Gary Nixon, his partner of more than 20 years, had a meeting with Falwell in 1999 in which 200 members of Soulforce shared tables with 200 supporters of Falwell to debate whether gays were sinful or not.

"He promised us that he would tone down his rhetoric against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people," said White, in a statement. "We have been carefully monitoring his untruths, and it has only gotten worse."

White sent a dinner invitation to Falwell Sept. 12 but said he has not yet received a response. In the letter, White said that he and Nixon intend to attend services at Falwell's Thomas Road Baptist Church to bear witness that they love God as much as Falwell does. The campaign is to culminate Oct. 25-27 when hundreds of Soulforce members plan to respond to Falwell's viewpoints on homosexuality with door-to-door visits in Lynchburg, attend Falwell's church and hold a picnic in a local park.