Special Report: The Worst Homophobic Churches in America
Salem Baptist Church
Chicago, IL
James Meeks, senior pastor
James Meeks, an elected Illinois senator and a listed Democrat, has been touted as one of the “leading black religious voices in the anti-gay movement” by the Southern Poverty Law Center. In 2006, he called homosexuality “an evil sickness.” While trying to run for mayor in Chicago, many of his fellow constituents expressed heavy concern. “He opposes even the most basic forms of equality and civil rights,” Rep. Greg Harris told FOX Chicago. “We would be very alarmed if he were to become mayor.” Making matters worse, Rick Garcia, Equality Illinois public policy director, expressed his disdain over Meek’s run for mayor, citing that of all the possible candidates, Meeks is “the most troubling.” Things got really nasty in 2006 when he lambasted former Chicago mayor and pro-gay supporter, Richard Daley, by comparing him to a “slave master” and black politicians who supported the mayor as “house niggers.” Meeks withdrew his bid for mayor after realizing he was not getting the popular black vote, even with two other black candidates on the ballot. Obama chief of staff Rahm Emmanuel eventually became the front runner in the race for mayor, winning by a landslide.
