LGBT groups raise funds to buy anti-gay Harlem church facing foreclosure
Source: The Guardian
LGBT groups raise funds to buy anti-gay Harlem church facing foreclosure
Amanda Holpuch in New York
Monday 1 February 2016 19.44 GMT
LGBT rights groups have raised more than $118,000 to purchase a New York City church led by a pastor known for his anti-gay rhetoric.
A state judge ordered Atlah Worldwide church to be sold in public auction this month because the Harlem church owes more than $1m to creditors for unpaid bills and tax liens.
LGBT advocacy groups quickly mobilized to raise funds to purchase the space after years of participating in demonstrations against Atlah, which posted anti-gay messages on its sign, including: Harlem is a sodomite free zone and Jesus would stone homos.
More than $118,000 had been raised by Monday afternoon for the two Harlem-based LGBT groups hoping to purchase the church building.
The LGBT-friendly Rivers of Living Water church hopes it can turn the building into a permanent site for the parish and the Ali Forney Center is hoping to use the space to expand housing for homeless LGBT youth.
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http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/feb/01/lgbt-groups-raise-funds-buy-anti-gay-harlem-church-facing-foreclosure