Live Blog: HRO Meeting at Ed Waters. Dec. 3 2015

[TheCat]

I'm here at Ed Waters College. Easily, 200 people in the gymnasium. There are two distinct groups tonight.

One group wears a sticker  of a rising sun icon and reads "Jacksonville Coalition of Equality". The other group, wears a very police-esque blue sticker with bold white lettering that reads "protect first liberites."

I asked one person what the sticker meant. It made her nervous. She told me that they (points to the front) will explain later. So, I asked the lady behiind me and she explained for 15 minutes how HRO can lead to potential violations of the first amendment.

She also mentioned to her seat partner how in the middle east they do terrible things like throw people from roofs. Later, her seat parter said he almost didn't come tonight, not because of the matter at hand but because he can't legally carry his gun into the space...and we are a target.

[TheCat]

I see the former head pastor of new life christian church Pastor Paul Zinc.

[TheCat]

[TheCat]

[TheCat]

Meeting has started. Curry is opening the "honest and civil discussion". I don't know who the panelist are. There are two tables at the font of the room. One seats 4 men with name placards. The other seats three women, with no name placards. I'm assuming the table of older men are the panelist...?

Curry gives a good talk reminds us that we are good people BUT makes a nod to christians by saying something like "my faith like yours is very important to me."


Also, Curry is wearing Rick Perry glasses.


Michael Boylan, WJCT head guy, is moderating.

[TheCat]

blue question/statement cards mean opposition to HRO. Green cards mean support. Yellow cards mean neutral, question.

The cards are dropped in to a larger clear plastic box, think square aquarium.

I guess, the purpose is to be able to pull out questions at random...

[TheCat]

A person, who seems to be an objective attorney speaks. He provides a macro and macro breakdown of anti-discrimination laws. his breakdown ranges from From the 13th amendment to lgbt laws throughout the country and finally "Lenny curry promised we would meet to discuss these issues."

[TheCat]

The first panelist has spoken from the Jewish perspective...he said something along the lines if we are not all free none of us are free and those of us with protected liberties are at equal risk of losing our rights.

The second speaker said something like... we have "standards". Everyone "protect first liberties" people clapped.

Boylan says - hold the applause.

The third speaker... jokes, "don't tell them to hold the applause just before I speak" . HRO does not intrude into church rights and freedoms. It is a false argument (he is a pastor). Brings up "love your neighbor as yourself." Then says " i should be the last person who gets to decide how a person is treated based on that persons choices."

The only choice I don't have is the one where I have to love everyone I come across"

The fourth speaker...it is false to say that church's will not be violated as a result of lgbt anti-discrimination laws. For example, boys club. Religious exemptions are precarious. All churches are subject to "public accommodation" Churches will face defunding of public dollars if they don't conform to these laws. Example, pre-k dollars going to churches.

[TheCat]

First speaker (rabbi joshua lief) says, BS. I don't have to do anything that my faith says not to do.

Second Speaker (Pastor Edwards): don't get it twisted. We love everyone. Love you enough to tell you that you is in sin. Don't get married. First liberties people applause.

Where are the economists...? I'm a bit annoyed that only male "theologians" are on this panel. Unless, each meeting is dealing with a specific aspect of this conversation.

[Tacachale]

Thanks for doing this. I'm unable to make it.

[TheCat]

Rabbi Lief discusses that homosexuality as an abomination not a sin. He then says, if you have had a ham sandwich you have committed the same level of abomination as someone who has had gay sex.

Man, the two guys who are in support of HRO are using scriptures to make their points while the other two are more like "i don't care. I don't like it.

Those scriptures are dismissed in the same way that Jesus drank wine is dismissed by a pastor who says christians shouldn't drink wine.

[TheCat]

Thanks for doing this. I'm unable to make it.

Sadly, I'll have to leave in 15 minutes. I have a hard exit time. Thankfully, Kelsi is here and she's planning on writing an op-ed breakdown of tonights meeting.

[TheCat]

It looks like I'll be missing public comments...and I was really looking forward to the shock value of the comments.

[TheCat]

Pastor Edwards doubles down with I love you enough to tell you you are in sin...which is not the conversation.

[TheCat]

At least everyone agrees that everyone should be allowed to go to the same restaurants.