PA Activist Condemns New 'Homosexual History' Marker at Indy Hall
by Jenni Parker
March 31, 2005
(AgapePress) - A new historical marker has been approved for the area around Philadelphia's Independence Hall, describing it as the site of the "first organized and annual gay and lesbian civil rights demonstration" in the United States.
According to the "Queer Heritage" website, this historic pro-homosexual protest took place on July 4, 1965, when a small group of conservatively dressed homosexuals picketed Independence Hall. Reportedly, the demonstration became a yearly event during the 1960s.
A group called Equality Forum applied to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, seeking approval for the commemorative marker. Nomination's for such historical markers can be submitted by any individual or group and are then reviewed by a panel of independent experts across the state and finally approved in March by the Commission.
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission approved the Equality Forum's request and PHMC Chairman Wayne Spilgrove praised the pro-homosexual group for what he called a "well presented historical marker nomination form." He was quoted in a press release issued by the Forum as saying that Pennsylvania is proud to be both the birthplace of the nation and the birthplace of "so many historic events that have advanced civil rights in America."
Pro-Family Leader Upset Over Homosexual Marker
However, some pro-family activists in the state are letting the PHMC know that they are not proud at all, but are in fact outraged over the Commission's choice to approve a marker commemorating a homosexual protest as a sort of heroic moment in the civil rights struggle.
Diane Gramley of the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA) is calling the decision "a slap in the faces of our Founding Fathers," and she says the marker is nothing more than a homosexual activist attempt to rewrite U.S. history.
Spilgrove is apparently confused, Gramley says, to suggest that homosexual protest has advanced civil rights in America, since "the debate on homosexuality has nothing to do with civil rights, but rather [to do with] forcing the acceptance of abhorrent sexual behavior on all America." She points out that homosexuals as a group have never been denied suffrage or been required to attend segregated schools, and they have never been forced to sit at the back of the bus or drink from "Gay Only" water fountains.
The AFA of PA spokeswoman says homosexual activists are trying to revise history and "hijack the civil rights movement." She feels the decision to approve the Independence Hall marker is being driven by current events, not a truly historic occurrence.
Gramley points out that two of the organizers of the 1965 homosexual demonstration helped fill out the application for the marker. "Obviously they are still alive," she says, "and it is doubtful that the place of their accomplishments in history has been established to qualify for a historical marker."
On the other hand, the pro-family advocate contends that it is fairly easy to establish where the Founding Fathers stood on the issue of homosexuality. She notes that Pennsylvania law dictated that persons found guilty of homosexual offenses be punished as felons, and Thomas Jefferson himself authored legislation penalizing perpetrators of sodomy with castration.
The AFA of PA is demanding that the PHMC's reverse it decision to approve the Equality Forum's pro-homosexual marker. Gramley says the marker would be not only an affront to the Founding Fathers and the sacrifices they made, but also an assault on all citizens who hold their nation's genuine history dear. "To take one of our most cherished historical buildings and desecrate it in such a manner is unthinkable," she asserts, "and not just Pennsylvanians, but all Americans should be outraged."
An Equality Forum spokesman says Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell is expected to unveil the new historical marker at an upcoming event honoring the 40th anniversary of the "Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Civil Rights Movement." The celebration is planned for Sunday, May 1, at Independence Hall.
Plans for a 16-hour "national celebration" on May Day include a tribute to homosexual "pioneers"; a "Gay Icons Pavilion" at the Independence Visitors Center; conversations with so-called "gay leaders"; an interfaith service at historic Christ Church with the openly homosexual Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire, Vicki Gene Robinson, officiating; and a "SundayOUT" homosexual street festival and parties.
