Pickets Protest Pastor’s ‘War on Homosexuality’

About 50 gay and lesbian rights activists peacefully picketed the Rev. Louis P. Sheldon’s Anaheim home Saturday to protest his self-declared “war on homosexuality” and efforts to block Orange County’s first gay pride festival, which is to be held next month at a Santa Ana park.

“We are for the first time being the aggressor here instead of just responding to what he does,” said Craig A. Martens, a spokesman for the Orange County Visibility League, which organized the picket. “We’re here to let him know we’re willing to fight.”

Sheldon, chairman of the Anaheim-based Traditional Values Coalition, did not emerge from the two-story stucco house as the sign-carrying protesters marched and chanted slogans for about 45 minutes starting at noon. Martens said he doubted anybody was home.

Leads Recall Effort Against Council Members

Sheldon is leading an effort to recall six of the seven Santa Ana City Council members for their refusal to sign a statement promising to ban the gay pride festival scheduled for Sept. 9 and 10 at Centennial Regional Park. He was not available for comment on Saturday.

“He’s got to be one of the worst bigots in the country,” said Mark Martin, a protester from Hacienda Heights in Los Angeles County. “We want to show him that we’re here, that we’re not going to back down.”

The protest was not supported by Orange County Cultural Pride, the organizer of the gay pride festival, said John Duran, a lawyer for the group.

“Both sides seem to be portraying the other side as evil incarnates,” Duran said.

Although Duran said he is personally opposed to the picketing of anyone’s private residence, he said that the demonstrators went to Sheldon’s home because he does not have a church.

Bill Hein of Anaheim said he took part in the demonstration because he opposes the effort to recall all of Santa Ana’s City Council members except John Acosta, who signed the anti-homosexual statement drafted by Sheldon.

“We want to show support for the fair-minded individuals who acted responsibly” in granting permission for the gay pride festival, Hein said.

Sheldon’s group has already served recall notices on Mayor Daniel H. Young and council members Patricia E. McGuigan and Daniel E. Griset, and Sheldon announced plans last week to also target council members Ron May, Miguel A. Pulido and Richards L. Norton for recall.