BATTLE OVER ANTI-GAY BILLBOARDS CONTINUES IN NEW YORK

illboards that quote from the Bible and carry an anti-homosexual message are at the center of a Staten Island, N.Y. controversy involving religious belief, free expression and "hate speech" that many find distasteful and offensive.

   Earlier this month, Rev. Kristopher Okwedy of KeyWord Ministries contracted with a local sign company and paid $2,000 for two billboards promoting the church's anti-gay teachings. The displays includes quotes from Leviticus that describe homosexual behavior as sinful and an abomination to God. Civic, gay rights and other religious leaders quickly spoke out against the billboards, though, warning that the message could provoke violence against gays. Within days, the signs were covered with new ads for Smoky the Bear and McGruff the Crime Dog.

   Rev. Okwedy says that his right to free expression has been violated. The advertising firm which rents the billboard space, PNE Media, told the Staten Island Advance newspaper that the anti-gay messages were covered up because Okwedy's name does not appear on the signs as company policy requires.

   "They designed the signs, they knew my name was not there," Okwedy told a press conference.

   Demonstrations have been held by different groups opposing or supporting Okwedy and his church. One Sunday morning, about 90 people including prominent local civic leaders huddled in front of one of the billboards and denounced the anti-gay message.

   "His $2,000 would have been better spent by a donation to Project Hospitality or the AIDS task force," declared James Smith, president of the Staten Island Lambda Association, a group of gay men and lesbians. City Councilman Jerome X. O'Donovan told the gathering, "I know the Bible, too, and there's a message in it called the Golden Rule that says 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' "

   "This is exactly the opposite of the Golden Rule," O'Donovan added. "This should never happen again."

   Disputes like the one in Long Island have occasionally appeared throughout the country, often when local churches or religious groups use billboards to advertise an anti-gay message like the Leviticus quotes. In 1998, a dispute in Madison Wisconsin led to a city resolution declaring the town a "City of Tolerance."

   While an investigation by AANEWS showed no cases where local governments directly intervened to remove billboards, communities have become proactive in what critics describe as "content-based censorship." Cities like Chicago and Baltimore, for instance, have introduced tough codes attempting to regulate alcohol and tobacco advertising. The Chicago ordinance was supported by Rev. Michael Pfleger, a local Catholic priest, who has also protested the raucous behavior on the popular Jerry Springer Show.

   In April, 1997, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review a lower court ruling which held that a Baltimore ban on alcohol and tobacco billboards in certain locations did not violate the First Amendment.

   The Staten Island case involves the related question of whether communities should, or could, regulate billboards or other public advertisements that groups may find to be "hateful" or objectionable. Some in Staten Island have rallied to Rev. Okwedy's side placing less emphasis on his message than his right to deliver it.

   Okwedy told reporters that the billboards' message was supporting God's law.

   "The love of God put that sign up; it wasn't us. We're not attacking anybody. We want to deal with the issue of sex and its abuse. We're tired of our children dying of STD's (sexually transmitted diseases)," he declared.

   One supporter is Louis Wein, who used a rally in support of Rev. Okwedy to announce his candidacy for the U.S. Senate.

   "The issue transcends homosexuality. It's about the constitutional right to free expression," Wein declared. He labeled those who rallied against the anti-gay signs as "the thought police."

   Wein still endorsed a Christian view of morality, though, and said "America is a Christian nation. We recognize that our values stem from that. We're opposed to being forced to embrace a lifestyle that threatens our values..."

   Several religious groups have flocked to defend Okwedy, including the local chapter of Morality in Media, and the pastor of the Shekinah Glory Christian Church, who also heads the Daughters of Thunder, an antiabortion organization.

   So far, gay organizations and others opposing the billboards have stopped short of demanding legislation to outlaw the messages. Charlie Keeler, head of a gay Episcopalian group suggested a boycott of other advertisers who do business with the sign firm. "If that sign goes up again, other advertisers may get boycotted. You have to edit hate messages with responsibility..."

   Okwedy describes himself as a "Bible-believing Christian" who immigrated to New York from Nigeria. "I have a newfound tradition and culture and it's based on the word of God," the minister told the Advance. "It is my standard. It is my measuring stick. My acts, what I do or don't do. I measure against the word of God..."

   Okwedy's KeyWord Ministries is based in Mariners Harbor. The group's website has links to several evangelical groups and Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network.

   Last week, the ministry received a $2,000 donation from a local man during a prayer vigil and rally in support of Okwedy.

   "I'm going to give him the $2,000 for that sign because he's absolutely right in what he is doing," said the contributor. "We're not against gay people. We're against sin."

   Rev. Okwedy said that he hopes to replace the billboards shortly.

   Meanwhile, The Atheist Viewpoint television show will feature a live call-in segment this Friday beginning at 8 p.m. to discuss the anti-gay billboard flap. The program will air on Staten Island Community Television, channel 35 and then be distributed across the country to outlets which carry the Viewpoint.

   Ron Barrier, program host and national Spokesperson for American Atheists, said that the segment will be titled "State, Church and Billboards: What's Wrong With This Picture?"

   "It's important that the community examine the complexity surrounding this situation," said Mr. Barrier. "It's more than just about free speech or gay rights. It's about religion's role in society vs. the obligation of the state to protect its citizens from bigotry and prejudice. It's about competing prayer rallies over what the various Bibles clearly say about homosexuality. It's about who speaks for God, if there is one."

   Barrier noted that some religious writing are promoted as trendy and acceptable, while others are banned.

   "This is especially important since it's become fashionable in many states, including New York, to entertain the idea of hanging some version of the Ten Commandments in public schools and government buildings."