Florida MLK Event Taps Baltimore Pastor Jamal Bryant To Speak, Draws Gay Rights Protesters

Gay rights groups in Florida are protesting the choice of a prominent Baltimore pastor to speak at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event there.

The Tampa Bay Times reports the Rev. Jamal Bryant, pastor of the Empowerment Temple, was also denied the key to the city by the St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman. He's set to speak at an annual awards breakfast.

Bryant's church claims thousands of members. What activists take issue with is his opinion on homosexuality, which he has called a sin on par with drug addiction and gambling. He has called "cowards" those in his church who accept homosexuality.

Susan McGrath, chairwoman of the Pinellas County Democratic Party and president of the Stonewall Democrats, told the Times his words go against King's message.

"The city has made a lot of progress," McGrath said. "It casts an unfair shadow on St. Petersburg."

Bryant rose to local prominence during the civil unrest that followed Freddie Gray's death. He briefly flirted with a campaign for the House seat held by Rep. Elijah Cummings.

Florida state Rep. Darryl Rouson (D) stands by the choice for the event organized by wife Rouson's wife Angela.

"I'm certainly not going to jump on the bandwagon," he told the Times, suggesting it could be an opportunity for Bryant's views to be challenged and changed.

Rouson said he thought the event could be used as an opportunity for Bryant to change his views on gay marriage.