Please note the chalk protest has since been cancelled. Peaceful community action is being planned over the extremist leader of a small home-based Auckland church espousing the view that gay people should be put to death, and that he prays they will commit suicide. The email tirade of Pastor Logan Robertson from Westcity Bible Baptist Church to writer Jim Marjoram, praying that he would commit suicide and calling him a "filthy child molesting fag" has made headlines worldwide since it was first reported by GayNZ.com on Sunday. The pastor, who won’t say how many followers his small sect has, has since stood by his comments and added his belief the New Zealand government should be stoning gay people to death. On Sunday morning, a “love thy neighbour” rally against homophobia will be held at a park by the house, to coincide with church services. Organiser Karis Vesey says it’s a call to action for anyone who believes in the equality of all human beings, regardless of religion, sexuality, gender, race, and colour. Her own parents are pastors, and she says while they aren’t completely accepting “they would never ever wish for me to kill myself over it.” Vesey feels like the whole situation needs to be flipped. “It’s such a negative situation, I feel like I need to do my part in helping to reverse that.” People are welcome to bring banners and placards. A number of speakers have been lined up, but anyone who would like to speak or sing is welcome to contact Vesey either through the Facebook event page, or by contacting GayNZ.com via news@gaynz.com – and we will put you in touch. Love Thy Neighbour (Rally Against Homophobia) Fitzherbert Avenue side of Saint Margarets Park, West Harbour, Auckland. Sunday 14 December, from 10AM. All welcome. Facebook event page here
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 9th December 2014 - 3:24pm