A group that describes itself as a “network of friends” that seeks justice for “God’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender children” is recruiting activists for a May 1 rally it plans to stage outside the Colorado Springs headquarters of Focus on the Family.

Soulforce, led by Rev. Mel White, who helped conservative religious leaders write their autobiographies before he came out as a gay man, is planning for as many as 1,000 people to participate in the rally.

Contacted by the voice, a spokesperson for Focus on the Family said the organization declined to comment on the rally.

Focus on the Family, founded by Rev. James Dobson, brought its “Love Won Out” conference to Houston in February. The group claims it can teach homosexuals how to be straight.

White said Soulforce is staging the rally outside the world headquarters of Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs because, “For more than ten years, Dobson has broadcast lies about homosexuality and homosexuals to millions of Americans everyday.”

White said Soulforce has archived Dobson’s radio broadcasts along with his books and pamphlets on homosexuality and fundraising letters.
He said Soulforce has repeatedly sought out and been denied a meeting with Dobson.

“We have no option but to take the Truth to Dobson and on May 1 we’re going to do just that,” he said.

Focus on the family maintains that homosexuality is behavior that can be changed. Gay rights organizations disagree.

More than 50 groups will participate in the event
Laura Montgomery Rutt, the spokesperson for Soulforce, said more than 50 organizations have signed on to participate in the event, including churches, gay rights groups and several chapters of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

“I know a lot of people from Texas are coming,” she said. “We expect droves of people from Denver and Colorado Springs.”

Rutt said some nationally prominent gay activists have said they will participate, including Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, lesbians who have been together for more than 50 years and were the first same-sex couple to wed in San Francisco.

Rather than bill the event as something that conservatives might view negatively, she said, “It’s a joyous celebration. We want James Dobson to come out and visit with the people who have been hurt by his rhetoric.”

Organizers plan to convene attendees at 9 a.m. on May 1 at Pikes Peak Metropolitan Community Church in Colorado Springs for an interfaith service.

White will conduct training in nonviolent resistance at 10:30 a.m. At 12:30 p.m. the picnic and rally will take place in the street that is adjacent to the entrance of the Focus on the Family campus.

A vigil and family march around the Focus on the Family campus is planned at 2:30 p.m. A concert by Jason & DeMarco is planned back at the church at 8 p.m.

White said Soulforce was led to stage the event because beliefs like those expressed by Focus on the Family lead to gay bashing and self-hate.

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