The Republican fought marriage equality and questioned if women in the workplace went against God's plan.

A group of LGBTQ-affirming clergy held a press conference in Charlotte today to denounce the homophobic and sexist rhetoric of Rev. Mark Harris, a Republican candidate for the North Carolina House of Representatives.

Harris, who beat Rep. Robert Pittenger in the primary is running against Democratic candidate Dan McCready, a Marine Corps veteran and business owner. While the district went for Trump, and was considered solidly Republican before Pittenger’s loss, the race is now considered competitive. This is especially true as it gains national attention, helping McCready raise funds as Democrats hope for the materialization of the much-talked-about blue wave in November.

Harris has long been an opponent of marriage equality, playing a key role in fighting for Amendment 1, which defined marriage as between one man and one woman in the state constitution. He also once delivered a sermon questioning if women in the workplace fit into God’s biblical plan. Additionally, he backed HB2, which restricted bathroom and locker room use to the gender matching one’s birth certificate and invalidated local nondiscrimination ordinances.

Jeff Taylor/NewNowNext

“I am here to unapologetically state that my faith does not discriminate,” said Rev. Melissa McQueen-Simmons (above), of Many Voices, A Black Church Movement for Gay & Transgender Justice.

“As a proud same-gender loving woman, a mother, a spouse, and a veteran, the God that I know, the God that I love, and the God that loves me, is a God that loves everyone. Rev. Mark Harris’s statements are deeply problematic for women, and the LGBT community particularly. And all North Carolinians, because we deserve to raise our children in a space that is judgment free, in a community that reflects acceptance of all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or class.”

She added that Harris’s statements amounted to bullying, which can have devastating consequences. McQueen-Simmons cited the example of 9 year-old Jamel Myles, who recently died by suicide shortly after he came out as gay and experienced bullying as a result.

Jeff Taylor/NewNowNext

“As clergy and faith leaders, there are times when we must hold accountable the words and teachings of our colleagues and ministers—especially when those words and teachings serve to demean, devalue, and dismiss the worth and dignity of other human beings,” added Rev. Bruce Baker-Rooks (above), a pastor at SouthPark Christian Church.

“Today I stand before you to stand up and speak out against the words and teachings of Rev. Mark Harris, especially when it comes to the worth and value of women and every member of the LGBTQ movement.”

Jeff Taylor/NewNowNext

“To speak against someone’s gender, to speak against someone’s sexuality is judgment, and it says very clearly over and over again that thou shalt not judge,” said Rev. Amantha Barbee (above), of Statesville Christian Church. “And it also says that we shall treat our neighbor as ourselves… Every single person that God created is our neighbor.”

“The church in general, the church universal, has been responsible for the subjugation of women, of minorities of all kinds—especially the LGBT community, and the trans community especially,” Baker-Rooks told NewNowNext.

“There’s been a lot of fear-mongering from religious clergy and faith leaders, saying we must stand against these people because they’re going to bring down society, and bring down the family life… People take that seriously, and the more people take it seriously, the higher the risk of violence,” he added.

“So when we see somebody like Mark Harris, who has used his pulpit at the church right behind us here to subjugate women, and to speak out and spread lies and misinformation about the LGBT community… and pervert and use the word of God to justify his stand, we have a moral obligation to stand against that. And then when he wants to take that from his pulpit to [elected office], and try to effect civil law based off of his exclusive religious beliefs, those of us in good faith must stand up and speak out against that.”

Jeff Taylor/NewNowNext

President Trump is heading to Charlotte tomorrow to headline a fundraiser for Harris and Rep. Ted Budd.

Watch the press conference in full below.



