Posted on 06/20/2006 1:55:47 PM PDT by DBeers
Former hostage James Loney is accusing an Ontario Catholic camp he once worked for of closing its doors because of his homosexuality.
James Loney alleged that a youth camp closed its doors in an act of discrimination.
The closure of the Ontario Catholic Youth Leadership Camp by the Knights of Columbus Ontario State Council, which finances the camp, was an act of discrimination, Loney told a news conference Tuesday.
Loney said he and his supporters struggled with the decision to go public with the allegations, but finally decided to come forward.
"We are doing this because we care about the church, we care about young people and we care about the kind of church they are coming into," he said.
But he added, "We can't prove this. This is a concern that we have based on the sequence of events."
Loney claims the council's chairman said during a phone call on March 31, 2006, that concerns had been raised that the camp was promoting a homosexual lifestyle, and made specific reference to Loney. Shortly after, the camp closed.
The phone call apparently happened a week after Loney made national headlines when he revealed his sexual orientation and introduced his partner, Dan Hunt, on television.
Family kept ex-hostage's sexual orientation secret
Loney's family and Hunt had decided against publicizing the couple's relationship while Loney was being held hostage in Iraq, fearing it could jeopardize his life.
In a written statement, the Knights of Columbus denied Loney's sexual orientation was a factor in their decision to pull funding.
The organization said the camp closed for a review of its mission, vision and administration, and it may reopen next summer.
About 2,200 children typically attend the one-week camp every summer. It began in 1991.
Loney, partner to be honoured
Loney's allegations come the same day he and his partner are to receive the "Fearless" award during a gala ceremony marking Pride Week 2006 in Toronto.
The award, which is also the theme of this year's pride festivities, is for their perseverance during the four-month hostage ordeal.
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty will present the award.
James Loney alleged that a youth camp closed its doors in an act of discrimination.
Nothing wrong with legitimate discrimination.
Hostage where?
I like the church. You want to force them to honor perverts or clsoe the camp? Close the camp every time.
In Iraq? I remember them now..maybe the Islamists would treat a sodomite differently.
Former hostage James Loney is accusing an Ontario Catholic camp he once worked for of closing its doors because of his homosexuality.
James Loney alleged that a youth camp closed its doors in an act of discrimination.
The closure of the Ontario Catholic Youth Leadership Camp by the Knights of Columbus Ontario State Council, which finances the camp, was an act of discrimination, Loney told a news conference Tuesday.
OK, we get it! Sheesh! Don't they have copy editors in Canada?!
So what does he want? Money or that the camp is specially open for him?
Per the article..."Loney's family and Hunt had decided against publicizing the couple's relationship while Loney was being held hostage in Iraq, fearing it could jeopardize his life. "
Remember, the initial press statement said they were "released." If left up to them, they wouldn't have acknowledged they were actually rescued.
"James Loney in downtown Baghdad advocating for detainees"
He doesn't look at all annoying, does he? Not someone you would ever want to tell 'shut the hell up, you attention-seeking loser' for any reason whatsoever.
So what's fearless about being held hostage? I mean, what options do you have?
This is vomit-inducing. The most obnoxious aspect of this story is that the camp is closing, apparently, because it's become a hot-bed of homosexual promotion under the guise of a Catholic organization--and yet somehow it's the closing that's wrong, not the homo-promo!
"He doesn't look at all annoying, does he? Not someone you would ever want to tell 'shut the hell up, you attention-seeking loser' for any reason whatsoever."
Actually, he does
...but they'll shout it from the rooftops as long as it fits their agenda.
Loney's allegations come the same day he and his partner are to receive the "Fearless" award
They are getting a "Fearless" Award.....and their ONLY accomplishment is to hide their status out of "fear".
Canada ping!
Please FReepmail me to get on or off this Canada ping list.
Is it really discrimination to not fund something you dont believe in?
*reads title*
Is this a sting operation? ;)
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