Is there religious bigotry in Ocean City, Maryland?  That’s the question that the Baltimore Sun asked its readers this morning on in its editorial pages.

Several national organizations, including the UUA’s Standing on the Side of Love Campaign, have brought attention to Ocean City over the last few days as a result of today’s annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast where the notorious retired Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin will speak.  Boykin has been an outspoken anti-Muslim and anti-gay activist, and has claimed that:

Muslims didn't deserve protection under the First Amendment's freedom of religion clause because "those following the dictates of the Koran have an obligation to destroy our constitution and replace it with Sharia law." He once even accused President Obama of setting up a "Hitler-style" militia to force socialism on America, whatever that means.

In addition, People for the American Way has uncovered anti-LGBT statements by retired Lt. Gen. Boykin.  Boykin spoke out against DADT repeal, saying "aberrant behavior can really tear up the integrity of the organization.” He serves on the board of the Oak Initiative & appears often w/ Pres. Rick Joyner, who claimed that Hurricane Katrina was God’s judgment for homosexuality. Boykin has also stated, "I do not believe that [being gay] is in any way or form sanctioned by God or by the Bible.”

Standing on the Side of Love has sent more than 900 letters to the Ocean City Mayor and City Council through a Change.org petition, asking Mayor Meehan to not attend, have his name removed from the annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, and publicly oppose the bigoted views of Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin.  The Baltimore Sun has come out with a similar statement from their editorial board stating that Ocean City "Mayor Meehan and council members can't remain silent about controversial prayer breakfast speaker."  

In addition, Standing on the Side of Love has spearheaded an effort to post messages to Mayor Meehan’s Facebook Page asking him not to attend using a new Facebook application developed in partnership with Fission Strategy. Messages continue to pour from supporters using this innovative app. Fission is proud to stand on the side of love!