What is Dallas Mayor Johnson's agenda regarding Gays? Still having invocators from anti-Gay groups.
Different actions or lack of actions are adding up to a picture of a mayor who at best doesn't give a damn about Gay rights or worse is under the table assisting the agenda of anti-Gay Christians.
To bypass the local media please share Dallas Gay Liberation posts.
Earlier I had reported on Dallas Mayor Johnson selecting a pastor to give an invocation at a Dallas City Council meeting. This was that report.
Letter to Mayor Johnson making inquiry about his agenda towards the Gay community.
This letter is being mailed tomorrow, Feb. 5, 2023, since things have been delayed due to snow.
February 1, 2023
Edward H. Sebesta
Hon. Eric Johnson
Mayor of the City of Dallas
Dear Hon. Johnson:
Please find enclosed a printout of this report on the Dallas City Council invocators from 12/7/2022 to 1/18/2023. It is online at:
In the Dallas Observer article, “Author Claims City Hall Hosts Homophobic Invocation Speakers,” Dec. 9, 2022, by Jacob Vaughn, the article reports on statements made by your chief of staff, Tristan Hallman as follows:
Hallman added that the mayor took Sebesta’s words and research to heart, and the city is looking into how it can do things differently. One thing being considered, he said, is to use fire and police chaplains for the invocation speeches. “We’re talking about it,” he said.
Three of the four invocation speakers in the time period of 12/7/2022 to 1/18/2023 are chaplains for the fire and police department as Hallman was interviewed as saying was being considered. However, I bring your attention to the invocator of 12/14/2023, Pastor Christopher Hughes of City on a Hill International Church which appears to be also the Influence International Church on its webpages.
Pastor Hughes is embedded in the anti-Gay religious right of Dallas. He is part of the Dallas Baptist Association which kicked out the Royal Lane Baptist Church from its association for not being anti-Gay and has condemned same-sex marriage. Other details of the anti-Gay institutions Hughes is involved with is detailed on this webpage, a copy of which is enclosed with this letter.
At some point the question needs to be raised as to what your agenda is regarding Gays and the LGBT+ in general. Besides the issue with the invocators, there is your lack of support for a human rights commission for Dallas, your lack of response or comment regarding the anti-drag protest at BuzzBrew Jan. 14, 2023, and your lack of comment or support for a Hate Crimes Unit in the Dallas City Police department. All these issues are important in the protection of the human rights of Gays and the LGBT+ in general as well as their physical security.
However, out of all the issues, your continuing to promote members of organizations with an anti-Gay agenda in selecting them to give invocations is especially concerning despite it being raised by myself with detailed documentation and reported on in the Dallas Observer. Again, it raises questions as to what your agenda is and what your commitment is to the rights and security of Gays and the LGBT+ in general.
I ask again that persons who are homophobic or with homophobic organizations not give invocations for Dallas City Hall. I think in a city of over one million people there should be an adequate supply of clergy and other religious that aren’t members of groups and churches going after Gays or anyone else with a meat axe.
Sincerely Yours,
Edward H. Sebesta
Original to Mayor Eric Johnson; CC: City Council members Chad West, Jesse Moreno, Casey Thomas II, Carolyn King Arnold, Jaime Resendez, Omar Narvaez, Adam Bazaldua, Tennell Atkins, Paula Blackmon, Adam McGough, Jaynie Schultz, Cara Mendelsohn, Gay Donnell Willis, Paul E. Ridley.
Commentary
We should have expectations of our elected officials. We should critically review their actions regarding the Gay community. This newsletter intends to do just that.
For too long in Dallas trivial things have been held up as substantial or significant things to obscure the the fact that in reality the Gay community isn’t getting support and basic needs are unmet.
For too long there has been an attitude that nothing can be done.
For too long there has been a fear of speaking truth to power.
This newsletter expects to put an end to these things.
Subscriptions are free.
Relevant online posts:
Letter to Mayor Johnson regarding the lack of a human rights commission.
About the Dallas Observer article on homophobic invocators.
In reference to a request for a statement or representative at BuzzBrew.
