JONI B. HANNIGAN & JAMES A. SMITH SR., Florida Baptist Witness
- Filling the pulpit before a backdrop of about 40 Tampa Bay area pastors, a coalition of African-American pastors Sept. 24 announced their support of a state constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage.
Urging support of Amendment 2, the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment, pastor of the host church, Beulah Baptist Institutional, W. James Favorite told reporters he believes the comparison of gay marriage to the fight for equality by black men and women in America is wrong.
A “life-long” member of the National Association of Colored Persons (NAACP), Favorite reacted with surprise when he learned after the news conference the Florida NAACP is opposed to the amendment which puts him and potentially many of its members at odds with the organization.
