NP Rank:
Gay blog reported to FBI for terrorist threats
When a gay blogger from New York City posted a criticism of a well-known Christian opponent of gay rights, some of his readers expressed their empathy and anger. But in the wake of the Fort Hood shootings, it seems that this was viewed as a precursor to terrorist action and was reported to FBI officials.
Joe Jervis (Joe.My.God blog) posted remarks critical of Peter LaBarbera, of Americans for Truth about Homosexuality.
LaBarbera who presides over the website informed his readers that domestic partnerships and civil unions are a Trojan horse for gay marriage and the destruction of Christian America.
When Jervis attacked LaBarbera's argument on his blog, one commentator was concerned that radicals could take over the currently peaceful gay rights movement.The reader wrote: "What I fear is that once gay and lesbian people give up hope of achieving equality through nonviolent means, there will be radicals who will begin to hunt down haters like LaBarbera and Gallagher."
Others wrote: “Maybe a bit of well-organised terrorism is just what we need” and “Will someone please give me a gun?”
The anti-gay group Liberty Counsel then contacted the FBI to complain, citing the recent shootings at Fort Hood. The alleged perpetrator had apparently been writing messages on internet boards.
Matt Barber, of Liberty Counsel, told conservative website World Net Daily: "Anybody who is willing to make these types of comments, and suggest it is time for acts of terrorism against Christians because they have a disagreement with the homosexual lifestyle, we have to take it seriously, in the wake of what we saw at Fort Hood, Texas."
In an email to US LGBT site Advocate.com, Jervis responded: "Even a casual reading of the comments in question will show that no direct threats of 'terrorism' were made towards anyone.
"In fact, the comment that LaBarbera has fed to every right wing news site in the country actually expresses concern that an unbalanced person might do something violent and hurt the LGBT cause in doing so.
"But that doesn't matter to the Christian right, who in an internet game of 'Telephone' have ratcheted up the story to the point where it looks like I, myself, have made terrorist threats."
Jervis has removed the post and comments from his website.
Crowd Power
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smkovalinsky
New York, New York, United States
Recommendations (14)
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Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States -
Hugh Askew
Omaha, Nebraska, United States -
YankeeJim
Arlington, Virginia, United States




Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (3)
at 05:57 on November 15th, 2009
LaBarbera's comment might insight religious right to perform a terrorist act. RR, watch out for the Trojan horse and please use trojan's to prevent unwanted pregnancy as you will surely not want an abortion.
at 07:21 on November 15th, 2009
Wonder if MSNBC will cover this the same way they did with the mean Tea Bagging straight peoples?
at 07:40 on November 15th, 2009
smk, thanks for this. I would appreciate it if you would add the tag 'sexuality'. Thanks:)!