Imagine my laughter when I opened up this email today, yet another AFA Action Alert, this one entitled, "They're Coming To Your Town."
Basically they are trying to sell (that's all they seem to do) a DVD documenting how "The Homosexual Activists and their Agenda" took over the town of Eureka Springs, AR.
Observe this quote regarding the DVD: "Residents of the small Arkansas town of Eureka Springs noticed the homosexual community was growing. But they felt no threat. They went about their business as usual. Then, one day, they woke up to discover that their beloved Eureka Springs, a community which was known far and wide as a center for Christian entertainment--had changed. The City Council had been taken over by a small group of homosexual activists."
This video will supposedly help "Christians" find and stop The Homosexual Activists from taking over their own towns. Buy one for yourself, and 5 more for all your friends at Church!
Hmmm, maybe the AFA is concerned with this statement, posted on the Eureka Springs website under "Alternative:"
"Eureka Springs is known by many names: Haven for the State's Eccentrics. The place where misfits fit. The hole in the Bible Belt where the buckle goes through. And then there's our personal favorite: America's Largest Open Air Asylum.
Sometimes people ask us, "Is it true that Eureka Springs is a haven for gays & lesbians?" Well, yes. Eureka Springs is also a haven for families, church groups, astrologers, lawyers, artists, musicians, accountants ... we're a diverse community in every sense of the word.
Businesses listed in this section include our favorite resources for alternative healing, alternative spirituality, gay friendly lodging, commitment ceremony & Holy Union providers, plus businesses who specifically asked to be in this section because they want you to know they are committed to treating ALL people with dignity and respect."
Again, furthering the evidence that when the AFA/Opine Editorials and other anti-gay activists mean "treating people with dignity and respect" it only applies to heterosexuals and/or Christians.
Further, Eureka Springs is home to many faiths, as evidenced by this passage on their website's section titled "Faith," "Come celebrate your faith with us. Eureka Springs is home to many demoninations, and you're sure to find the one that calls to you.
Over 100 years ago, visitors came to Eureka to seek healing of body, mind, and soul. Today, Eureka Springs is still a place of spiritual renewal.
All are welcome! Along with the mainstream churches, you'll find a Buddist Monastery and an MCC church too. While you're here, please visit our many Faith-ful attractions as listed below."
More information on the town is listed on Wikipedia. Per Wikipedia and the town's website, Eureka Springs is the first town in Arkansas to create a domestic partnership registery, on June 22, 2007 (and one of the few in the South). I don't know about anyone else, but I kinda want to check this place out.
Road trip, anyone?
I also emailed the town's Chamber of Commerce with a link to the AFA Action Alert. I am eagerly awaiting their response, and if I hear back from them, I will post it here.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
The Faggots are Coming, the Faggots are Coming!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
17 comments:
Hahahahahahahhahaha!
I'm in for the road trip!
While we're out there we should hit up the Creation Museum. Although I think that's in Kansas....
I wanna go!!!
Jane, you're awesome.
LOL! No way, I'm all about the secret little gay meccas right now. Eureka Springs, per Wikipedia, only has like 2,000 residents...I'm so there.
Let's go!
Definitely... let's do it! And by tour bus, I suppose you mean "VW bus" that I am definitely going to buy.
Eureka Springs is the best kept gay secret in America. More than 50 gay-owned businesses--shops, restaurants, b & b's; G/L building inspector, transit director, city clerk, chairman of historic district commission; four Diversity Weekends a year and the only Domestic Partnership Registry in Arkansas. This is the gay buckle on the bible belt, a GLBT travel destination and is attracting more GLBT residents (already 20-30 percent of the population). American Airlines will bring you in from most major cities--just in case you can't find that bus. For more info on our "mecca" check out www.gaynewsbureau.com
Arkansas Traveler-wow, thanks for the information on your town! I am definitely interested in a trip down South.
Jane, I moved here from Chicago a year and a half ago and felt at home from the minute I arrived. Aided and abetted by an amazing lesbian couple, I wrote the Domestic Partnership Registry ordinance that is the current burr under the AFA's saddle. Though smack in the middle of the bible belt, Eureka Springs has a cosmopolitan character. Much of its citizenry hails from major cities, here for the laid-back lifestyle, the diversity, the climate and the mountain views. I looked for years for small-town gay America and found it here. I know: ARKANSAS? Who woulda thunk it? Actually, the AFA's not far off in calling our offbeat village the San Fracisco of Arkansas. It's also the Provincetown, Key West, Saugatuck and Russian River of the Mid-South. So pack your bags. We'll send the gay-owned limo service to pick you up at the airport.
In addition to www.gaynewsbureau.com, you can find more Eureka Springs travel info at www.eurekapride.com
Michael,
Congrats on writing that domestic partnership ordinance. It's a major step for GLBT rights, not just for the the South, and for Arkansas, but for the entire country. What an example you have set for everyone else!
I would LOVE to visit. I will be in touch.
Jane.
i am picturing...a vw bus...painted in rainbow colors...with peace symbols, flowers, the works...rollin' through lil 'ol arkansas, pack full o queers...and we really give eureka somethin' to scream about...; )
Christina, no one in Eureka Springs would bat an eye at your rainbow bus. Hippies flocked here in the 60s and 70s--more than a few of them gay--so VW buses abound here. Along with pickups, jeeps and Beemers. Not to mention the occasional Tyson chicken truck.
Just be prepared to get out and push now and then because another thing we share with San Francisco is steep, narrow, winding cobblestone streets. The town straddles an eroded mountain top.On the other hand, there is nary a traffic light in town.
If your VW bus sports an HRC Equality sign or a rainbow bumper sticker, be prepared for locals to wave you down for a curbside conversation and an invitation to a party later.
I know I sound like the Chamber of Commerce, but that's because, like the AFA, the Chamber of Commerce doesn't want you to know this stuff. The good ol' boys are askeered of scarin' away the church buses they've depended upon for so long.
Seriously, ladies...
Let's go! Um.. I mean, can I go, too?
Of course you can come, Grace!
i'm not going if grace doesn't go.
Post a Comment