Queersetti
Bastardo Suave
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2003
- Posts
- 37,288
Homophobia Suspected In Church Fire
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
(Honolulu, Hawaii)_ The FBI has entered the investigation into an arson fire at a gay-welcoming church in Makiki._ The blaze at the First Christian Church this week could be linked to the church's opposition to last month's Family Day (story) which excluded gays fire department officials say.
Rev. Vaughn Beckman, the church's openly gay pastor, has been highly critical of the event which was sponsored by the city.
The early morning fire did about $150,000 damage to the church. The blaze was reported at 4:39 a.m. and confined to the bottom-floor fellowship hall._ Fire officials say the fire appeared suspicious and believe it may have been a hate-crime.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is involved in the investigation.
Both the ATF and the FBI are notified when local investigators believe a church is targeted as a result of hate._ Neither agency would comment on their role in the case at this point_ Tracy Elder, a spokesperson for the ATF in Honolulu said that involvement in an investigation does not necessarily mean federal charges will be pursued.
Rev Beckman said he could not believe the fire was a hate crime at first. But he said that after talking to authorities, " they know this was arson and they feel that there's a real strong indication that this was a hate crime."
"There might be people that disagree with my views and my ideas, but I don't consider that to be justification for burning a church," he told the Honolulu Advertiser.
A man who lives next to the church, said loud voices woke him up. He then heard a "loud boom" and saw an orange glow in the fellowship hall.
Beckman said he had not received any threats prior to the fire.
He also said the fire will not deter him from continuing to pursue legal actions against the city of Honolulu over Family Day. The event was put on by the Hawaii Christian Coalition._ Mayor Jeremy Harris and other city officials participated in the parade that included official city vehicles.
PFLAG and other LGBT groups were not permitted to take part.
Beckman and several people filed a lawsuit in state Circuit Court, saying the July 5 Family Day was essentially a Christian religious service paid for with taxpayers' money
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
(Honolulu, Hawaii)_ The FBI has entered the investigation into an arson fire at a gay-welcoming church in Makiki._ The blaze at the First Christian Church this week could be linked to the church's opposition to last month's Family Day (story) which excluded gays fire department officials say.
Rev. Vaughn Beckman, the church's openly gay pastor, has been highly critical of the event which was sponsored by the city.
The early morning fire did about $150,000 damage to the church. The blaze was reported at 4:39 a.m. and confined to the bottom-floor fellowship hall._ Fire officials say the fire appeared suspicious and believe it may have been a hate-crime.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is involved in the investigation.
Both the ATF and the FBI are notified when local investigators believe a church is targeted as a result of hate._ Neither agency would comment on their role in the case at this point_ Tracy Elder, a spokesperson for the ATF in Honolulu said that involvement in an investigation does not necessarily mean federal charges will be pursued.
Rev Beckman said he could not believe the fire was a hate crime at first. But he said that after talking to authorities, " they know this was arson and they feel that there's a real strong indication that this was a hate crime."
"There might be people that disagree with my views and my ideas, but I don't consider that to be justification for burning a church," he told the Honolulu Advertiser.
A man who lives next to the church, said loud voices woke him up. He then heard a "loud boom" and saw an orange glow in the fellowship hall.
Beckman said he had not received any threats prior to the fire.
He also said the fire will not deter him from continuing to pursue legal actions against the city of Honolulu over Family Day. The event was put on by the Hawaii Christian Coalition._ Mayor Jeremy Harris and other city officials participated in the parade that included official city vehicles.
PFLAG and other LGBT groups were not permitted to take part.
Beckman and several people filed a lawsuit in state Circuit Court, saying the July 5 Family Day was essentially a Christian religious service paid for with taxpayers' money
to people who do foul things and then blame it on God*
