James Hartline, Again

Nutjob "ex-gay" activist James Hartline spoke at yesterday's meeting of the San Diego City Council, issuing his annual complaint that the city was recognizing gay Pride.

A group led by James Hartline denounced the celebration and has asked the city council to oppose San Diego Pride, saying it promotes pornography and sin. "I have pictures that I'll be glad to provide for you where we have pictures of women showing completely their breasts," said Hartline. Catcalls came from the council audience, apparently from members of the gay community. A Pride organizer said they are tired of the same old rhetoric. "We see this every year. As a matter of fact, this was less heated than usual," said Phil Princetta of San Diego LGBT Pride. San Diego police had to escort one man out after he yelled at the council for supporting Pride. He was allowed back in and sat silently in prayer as the council unanimously supported the proclamation.

Pride organizers said they try to make sure all participants follow the city's policies on public behavior. "We ourselves make sure that every single contingent in the parade has a copy of that policy and understands that it is not acceptable," said Princetta. Hartline said he doubts it, and said San Diego Pride would die if it wasn't for people behaving badly. "If they took all the pornography out of it, all the loose nudity and all those things, they wouldn't have too many people even showing up to the event," said Hartline. Hartline said the council is entirely too gay-friendly. He also called councilwoman Sherri Lightner a hypocrite because she used to be a Sunday school teacher. If you're not proud of telling them that in your Sunday school class, why are you so glad to do it here?" said Hartline.

You may recall that last year Hartline claimed that the wildfires that devastated the San Diego area were God's punishment for the region having voted against Prop 8.