RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO ANNOUNCE AMERICAN PRAYER HOUR

Multi-City Prayer Hour Offers Alternative to the National Prayer Breakfast Whose Leaders Have Apparent Ties to Uganda’s Draconian Anti-Homosexuality Bill

What:  On Tuesday, February 2, 2010, key religious leaders will hold a press conference to announce the formation of The American Prayer Hour, a multi-city event on February 4, 2010, with key events in Washington, DC, Dallas, Chicago and Berkeley.  The American Prayer Hour events will affirm inclusive values and call on all nations, including Uganda, to decriminalize homosexuality. We also want to spotlight the National Prayer Breakfast, which is sponsored by The Family (aka The Fellowship), a group with disturbing ties to those spearheading Uganda’s oppressive Anti-Homosexuality Bill. 

When: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 – 10:30 a.m. (EST)

Where:                The National Press Club (Washington, DC) Murrow Room

529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor - Washington, DC 20045

Who:   Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church

Frank Schaeffer, author, “Crazy For God: How I Grew Up As One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right and Lived to Take All Back.”

             Harry Knox, The Human Rights Campaign, Director of Religion and Faith

Moses, A gay Ugandan man seeking asylum in The United States

Rev. Elder Darlene Garner, Metropolitan Community Church, Board of Elder

Bishop Carlton Pearson, Senior Interim Minister at Chicago, Illinois’s

Christ Universal Temple

Background: Uganda is considering the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009, put forth by parliamentarian David Bahati and initially backed by President Yoweri Museveni. If passed, the new law would unleash a vicious campaign of persecution against LGBT citizens. Bahati and President Museveni are members of The Family and are among their “key men” in Africa. The Family hosts the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington.  The American Prayer Hour will show that such cruelty and extremism does not represent most people of faith.