GLAAD DISPLAYS PRO-EQUALITY MESSAGE ON DIGITAL TRUCK AT GEORGIA CHURCH RESPONSIBLE FOR ANTI-LGBTQ BILLBOARDS

MORE THAN TWO DOZEN FAITH LEADERS, ADVOCATES, AND ARTISTS SIGN STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ PEOPLE: “Perpetuating hatred toward the LGBTQ community under the guise of Christian love is disingenuous, out of touch, and a contributing factor to declining church attendance, especially among young people nationwide.”

  “Your Anti-LGBTQ Rhetoric Is Not An Example of Christ’s Love.” 

GLAAD:  A supermajority (91%) of Americans support LGBTQ equality, and dangerous rhetoric not only repels those seeking connection but fails the most basic Christian principle—love thy neighbor. To assume that LGBTQ people need to be saved and are not already people of faith is inaccurate and harmful. LGBTQ people are your neighbors, your family, friends, colleagues, and fellow worshippers, and always worthy of dignity, acceptance and equality.”- Sarah Kate Ellis, President & CEO of GLAAD

(Tuesday, June 20, 2023) On Sunday, June 18, GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, continued its response to several “Proud To Be Delivered” anti-LGBTQ billboards erected by Worship With Wonders Church across the Metro Atlanta area. Through a digital billboard truck, GLAAD descended upon the Marietta, GA, church to provide a counter-message affirming the humanity of LGBTQ people in the South and nationwide. 

The digital truck was stationed at the church for eight hours. The action follows an op-ed published by Atlanta-based LGBTQ outlet Georgia Voice and co-authored by Darian Aaron, Director of Local News: US South at GLAAD, and Ross Murray, Vice President of the GLAAD Media Institute and a Deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Over two dozen clergy, politicians, artists, and advocates signed on to support GLAAD’s denouncement of the billboards as a weaponization of faith. 

Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, called out church leaders’ dangerous anti-LGBTQ rhetoric in a statement: 

“It is apparent the anti-LGBTQ extremists responsible for orchestrating this billboard are lashing out in a desperate attempt to claim moral superiority. With GLAAD finding a supermajority (91%) of Americans in support of LGBTQ equality, this dangerous rhetoric not only repels those seeking connection to a higher power but fails to adhere to the most basic Christian principle—love thy neighbor. To assume that LGBTQ people need to be saved and are not already people of faith is the epitome of spiritual arrogance. LGBTQ people are your neighbors: we are your family, friends, colleagues, and fellow worshippers.”

Director of Local News: US South at GLAAD, Darian Aaron, leads the response to the “Proud To Be Delivered” billboards. 

“With anti-LGBTQ legislation at an all-time high and aimed at erasing the existence of LGBTQ people, there is a refusal by this ministry to address real problems facing us as a nation: sensible gun reform — the real threat to American children. LGBTQ people do not require deliverance. Those choosing to inflict harm on others through religious bigotry require an examination of the heart and soul.”

Media can access photos of the digital billboard truck via Dropbox.

The following individuals and organizations have offered their support of GLAAD’s denouncement of the “Proud To Be Delivered” billboard:

Bishop O.C. Allen III
The Vision Cathedral of Atlanta

Mary Anne Adams
Zami Nobla—National Organization of Black Lesbians on Aging

Tracee McDaniel
Juxtaposed Center for Transformation, Inc.

Jeff Graham
Georgia Equality

Congregation Bet Haverim
Atlanta, GA

Rabbi Michael Rothbaum

Jim Swilley
Metron Community

Deondray Gossfield
The Russelli & Hall Co.

Darlene Hudson
Southern Unity Movement

Toni-Michelle Williams
Solutions Not Punishment Collaborative, Inc.

Victor Jackson
Glam Rock Soul Entertainment Group

Jim Farmer
Out On Film

Lynn Green
Rome Georgia Pride

Hayden Walter
Rome Georgia Pride

Matthew Manley
Rome Georgia Pride

Damion Parks-Weekly
Parks-Weekly Ministries

Quincy James Rineheart
Associate Campus Minister, Morehouse College

Patrik-Ian Polk
Filmmaker and Producer

Eric F. Rangel
Latino LinQ (LGBTQ+ nonprofit organization)

Leanne Rubenstein
Compassionate Atlanta

Bishop Kevin Strickland
Southeastern Synod ELCA

Rep. Park Cannon
House District 58

Erick Allen
Cobb County Democratic Committee

Chris McCain
Atlanta Pride Committee

Lee Jones

Mashaun Simon