Amos Brown says foes boycott his fundraiser SAN FRANCISCO Pastor says some people are mad at him for opposing Prop. 8

The Rev. Amos Brown ignited a crowd of thousands with a fiery speech at a City Hall rally denouncing the passage of Prop. 8 in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008. "I am a Baptist but I am not a bigot," the former San Francisco supervisor proclaimed. less The Rev. Amos Brown ignited a crowd of thousands with a fiery speech at a City Hall rally denouncing the passage of Prop. 8 in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008. "I am a Baptist but I am not a ... more Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 4 Caption Close Amos Brown says foes boycott his fundraiser 1 / 4 Back to Gallery

Tension is growing in the African American community over Proposition 8, with the leader of the San Francisco branch of the NAACP saying he expects some black ministers to boycott the group's annual fundraiser tonight because he supports same-sex marriage.

The Rev. Amos Brown, a pastor at Third Baptist Church and president of the local branch of the civil rights organization, and Alice Huffman, president of the California State Conference of the NAACP, have faced criticism from some members since they decided to oppose Prop. 8.

"It's no secret that there has been debating and arguing within the organization over this issue," Brown said. "Now the ministers are boycotting our fundraising dinner."

The annual dinner is the local group's largest fundraiser and is expected to draw as many as 500 people.

Brown said Thursday that he spoke to the national organization's new president, Ben Jealous, who decided at the last minute to fly out to attend the dinner.

"He said he will call on his friends to support the event," Brown said. While the national organization does not take positions on state propositions, Hilary Shelton, vice president of advocacy and director of the Washington bureau, said the organization opposes enshrining discrimination into the constitution. "Prop. 8 is discriminatory," Shelton said.

African American ministers contacted by The Chronicle said there is no organized boycott of the dinner.

Bishop Donald Green, senior pastor at the San Francisco Christian Center, said he supported Prop. 8 because he believes marriage should be between a man and a woman.

"That's my opinion and (Brown) has a right to his opinion," Green said. "I haven't heard of a boycott. I am not going to his dinner, and I wouldn't normally go to his dinner."

Rochelle Metcalfe, a former writer for a local African American newspaper who now writes a community column on the Internet, said some black ministers are upset with Brown.

"I've been hearing about people who are upset that he supported the No on 8 campaign," she said. "He knows some people don't agree with him so I don't think the boycott is a surprise.

"But it is a hurtful issue because it is splitting our community."

Brown is convinced that some NAACP members are not attending the dinner because of his politics. He recently had a Sunday sermon interrupted by another minister who was upset that he was using the pulpit to show his support for gay marriage.

He also said Lynette White, who writes a popular Listserv of African American events, refused to advertise the dinner. White, who sends out the daily list to about 1,000 people, said it was a personal choice not to post the listing until Wednesday.

"I sent out a message about it yesterday, it wasn't at the top of my list of things to do," said White, who declined to state her position on Prop. 8. "I didn't want to send it out before the election, and that's my prerogative."

Brown said some people who had supported the dinner are now choosing not to attend.

"I would say about 25 percent of the people made it known they are not coming because of our position," Brown said. "We will go ahead with our friends who have the sense to know the issues well, that it is equal protection under the law and not a religious issue.

"The Yes on 8 position does not represent the spirit of Jesus."

J. Edgar Boyd, pastor of Bethel AME Church in the Western Addition, said he is a member of the NAACP but will not attend the dinner because of a scheduling conflict.

"I did not take a position on this issue in front of my congregation but our general assembly agreed that marriage was between a man and a woman," said Boyd. "We follow that direction.

"The people have spoken on this issue. It became law and everyone should abide by that. The tension is mostly coming from people who disagree with that, but they had their opportunity and the yes campaign won."