by Leon G. Russ
HOMETOWN NEWS

Mayor Junie White
Spartanburg Mayor Junie White suffered slings and arrows, and occasional words of praise, during the citizen’s comments portion of Monday’s city council meeting at city hall.
White received both criticism and praise for his proclamation last month in support of gay rights and declaring this Saturday, LBGT (Lesbian, Bi, Gay, Transgender) Pride Day.
Although the proclamation is nearly a month old the divisiveness it sowed still lingered.
At the time of the proclamation council members Linda Dogan, Joe Spigner, Robert Reeder and Jerome Rice voiced their objections to it while fellow council members Cate Brandt Ryba and Renee Cariveau stood with the mayor.
The mayor bowed to council members against the declaration by eliminating seven words but remained steadfast in his support of equal rights for all Spartanburg’s citizens.
At Monday’s meeting White listened to those opposed to Saturday’s March and the proclamation rail against both the proclamation and the mayor.
Bishop Walker, pastor of the True Light Pentecostal Church at 121 Old Converse Road, Spartanburg told council “homosexual behavior destroys family values (and) the homosexual lesbian behavior is taking over America. They are trying to destroy our youth.”
Lansing Smith, elder of True Light Pentecostal Church, said, “We’re here in protest. The city shouldn’t promote the Sodomite lifestyle. They want to destroy our country and destroy our world.”
While Elder Willis of True Light Pentecostal Church told council, “It’s about what’s right. Homosexuality is an abomination to God.”
White did also hear from supporters such as Joey Geier, president of Upstate Pride. He commended White for his support of the event in the face of remained steadfast in his support of equal rights for all Spartanburg’s citizens.
At Monday’s meeting White listened to those opposed to Saturday’s March and the proclamation rail against both the proclamation and the mayor.
Bishop Walker, pastor of the True Light Pentecostal Church at 121 Old Converse Road, Spartanburg told council “homosexual behavior destroys family values (and) the homosexual lesbian behavior is taking over America. They are trying to destroy our youth.”
Lansing Smith, elder of True Light Pentecostal Church, said, “We’re here in protest. The city shouldn’t promote the Sodomite lifestyle. They want to destroy our country and destroy our world.”
While Elder Willis of True Light Pentecostal Church told council, “It’s about what’s right. Homosexuality is an abomination to God.”
White did also hear from supporters such as Joey Geier, president of Upstate Pride. He commended White for his support of the event in the face of stout opposition.
Also praising White were Phyllis White (no relation to the mayor) who told the mayor the proclamation is “a positive affirming statement that shows equality for all (and represents) dignity, respect and peace.”
She added, “I’m pleased to see the city of Spartanburg supporting the efforts to provide people with dignity, respect and equality.”
Riley Lanier of Spartanburg said the proclamation and gay pride march “is not about special rights, it’s about dignity and civil rights.”
He ended, “When I see lesbian, gay, bi and transgender people, I see people, not Sodomites, not the negative connotations I’ve heard here.”
For more local news and events, see this week’s Chesnee Tribune.