Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 14, 1995 TAG: 9510170020
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Stymied in an attempt to put the slogan "Diversity Enriches" on local billboards, a gay anti-bigotry group has asked Roanoke City Council to endorse that message and take a stand against the company that won't allow the slogan on its signs.
The Committee on Gay and Lesbian Concerns on Monday will present a petition to council requesting members publicly affirm the idea that "diversity enriches" life in Roanoke.
The petition also requests that council take up the "monopolistic control" exercised by Lamar Advertising over local billboards and the company's "ability to unduly and negatively impact the civility of our city."
But council members reached Friday - most of whom said they hadn't read the petition - seem unlikely to reach a consensus on it.
Diversity is "like apple pie. It doesn't mean anything," said Councilman Jack Parrott. "But in the context they're asking, I would vote against it."
The issue first arose in September, when Lamar's Roanoke office refused to rent billboard space to the committee.
The group, which includes gay and straight residents, meets monthly and offers support to the gay and lesbian community. Bishop Heath Light of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia is the chairman.
The committee last year rented space from Lamar with a similar message, "Celebrate Diversity."
Keith Austin, Lamar's Roanoke manager, said last month that the company's recent decision was based on anti-gay criticism the company received after last year's ads ran.
The petition made its way onto council's agenda at the request of Gene Edmunds, a committee member who serves as associate pastor at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church.
Edmunds - who is married and has four adult sons (they're "straight," she said) - stressed she is not speaking on behalf of her congregation, which has taken no position on the issue.
But she was thrilled to see the "Celebrate Diversity" message on billboards last year, which, she said, made her take pride in Roanoke.
"This year, I was ashamed that Lamar denied us," Edmunds said. "I think it's a prejudice against a group of people that they perceive to be not only different, but I think it's passing judgment on a whole group of people that they disapprove of. And they're denying other people who may not feel that way the right to speak."
She noted that Lamar does not deny advertising to politicians it may not agree with, or to tobacco companies, whether or not it approves of smoking.
From a religious perspective, "I just think God loves all his children. I think the question is not how we can reconcile the gay lifestyle with a few obscure passages of Scripture, but how we can reconcile our prejudice with the love of Christ," Edmunds said. "And I don't think we can do that. Jesus didn't say anything about homosexuality. He said a lot about self-righteous and judgmental people."
Five council members reached Friday were split on the issue of endorsing the diversity message.
"In the broad context, I would agree that diversity does enhance the community," Councilman William White said. "But my comment does not apply only to the gay and lesbian lifestyle. It applies to all groups in the community."
Councilman Mac McCadden said: "I support everyone's right to be treated fairly, to be free and equal and live the American dream. But for me to judge without qualification what diversity does to our civic life, I can't answer that."
Councilwoman Elizabeth Bowles said she'd have to give some thought as to whether she can support the group's message.
Councilwoman Linda Wyatt said she supports diversity and called Lamar's decision to reject the ad "real unfortunate."
"I see diversity in a larger perspective," she said. "You include in that race, creed, religious belief and sexual orientation. When we start to abridge the rights of one group, it's not long before you can turn it around and say, `Well, I don't like this other group, either.'''
None of the five, however, would criticize Lamar for refusing the ad.
"I don't think that's any of council's business," Parrott said. "I don't see any reason why they should carry ads they don't want to. If somebody wanted to put up an ad saying, 'Homosexuals are ruining our city,' [Lamar] probably wouldn't carry that either. And I don't think anyone should force them to."
Vice Mayor John Edwards could not be reached for comment.
Mayor David Bowers was too busy Friday to review the petition and return a phone call on the matter, his law office secretary said.
Lamar Advertising's Austin declined Friday to comment on the petition but said he'll probably attend Monday's council meeting.
PETITION TO ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL
"In response to Lamar Advertising's decision to prevent the placement of billboards by citizens seeking to reduce prejudice and hatred in our midst, we ask City Council to:
1) Individually and collectively issue public statements forcefully reaffirming that the city's diversity does indeed enrich our civic life.
2) Consider the monopolistic control of Lamar Advertising over political and civic billboard campaigns in the area and its ability to unduly and negatively impact the civility of our city."
- Committee on Gay and Lesbian Concerns
by CNB