Florida Church Cancels Gay Man's Funeral

"The Bible Belt Is It's Own Worst Enemy"

http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2012/10/why-bible-belt-is-christianitys-enemy.html

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Julion Evans passed away on July 26, 2014, after a battle with a rare disease called Amyloidosis. He had a large family and an even larger group of friends who wanted to come together to remember his life. His family booked a large church in Tampa, Florida. One day before the service, they were shocked to receive a call from the pastor, telling them the church was canceling after finding out Julion was gay and married to Kendall Caper, his partner of 17 years:

The night before his husband's funeral, Kendall Capers was told the service was cancelled.

The pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Tampa learned the pair was gay and the congregation was livid.

"Regardless of our background, our sexual orientation, how can you wait that long and put someone in a bind when they're going through a loss?" Capers asked.

It's so sad that bigotry like this still exists:

T.W. Jenkins, pastor at New Hope says was not aware of that Evans had a husband or was gay until members of his congregation saw the obit and called to complain. They did not think it was right to have the funeral at their church.

Jenkins said his church preaches against gay marriage.

"Based on our preaching of the scripture, we would have been in error to allow the service in our church," Jenkins said. "I'm not trying to condemn anyone's lifestyle, but at the same time, I am a man of God, and I have to stand up for my principles."

See the local news report here.