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Dozens protest against Colorado pastor's refusal to hold gay woman's funeral Dozens protest against Colorado pastor's refusal to hold gay woman's funeral
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Dozens of protesters gathered to express outrage on Tuesday at a Colorado pastor who refused to preside a gay woman’s funeral over the weekend, reportedly for what he described to the mourning family as her “alternative lifestyle”.Dozens of protesters gathered to express outrage on Tuesday at a Colorado pastor who refused to preside a gay woman’s funeral over the weekend, reportedly for what he described to the mourning family as her “alternative lifestyle”.
According to media reports, pastor Ray Chavez put a stop to 33-year-old Vanessa Collier’s funeral at New Hope Ministries outside Denver on Saturday when he refused to allow a video that showed photos of Collier kissing and proposing to her fiancee. Chavez reportedly told the family that New Hope’s policy was that he would perform the service only if it omitted any suggestion or indication that Collier was gay.According to media reports, pastor Ray Chavez put a stop to 33-year-old Vanessa Collier’s funeral at New Hope Ministries outside Denver on Saturday when he refused to allow a video that showed photos of Collier kissing and proposing to her fiancee. Chavez reportedly told the family that New Hope’s policy was that he would perform the service only if it omitted any suggestion or indication that Collier was gay.
Jose Silva, a friend of Collier’s, told the Associated Press that 200 of Collier’s friends and family members were asked to leave the church, and the funeral was quickly moved to a nearby funeral home where the video was played.Jose Silva, a friend of Collier’s, told the Associated Press that 200 of Collier’s friends and family members were asked to leave the church, and the funeral was quickly moved to a nearby funeral home where the video was played.
Protesters marched Tuesday outside the Christian church, chanting: “Dignity in death” and “Shame on Pastor Ray”, while private security guards stood nearby on church property. Demonstrators held rainbow flags and handmade signs that read “Standing on the side of love” and “You will not find Jesus at New Hope but you will find hypocrisy.”Protesters marched Tuesday outside the Christian church, chanting: “Dignity in death” and “Shame on Pastor Ray”, while private security guards stood nearby on church property. Demonstrators held rainbow flags and handmade signs that read “Standing on the side of love” and “You will not find Jesus at New Hope but you will find hypocrisy.”
“They asked the family to edit the video, and that was like editing Vanessa’s life. It was demeaning,” Silva, a high school friend of Collier’s, told the AP. “I thought it was a joke,” he told local ABC affiliate 7News.“They asked the family to edit the video, and that was like editing Vanessa’s life. It was demeaning,” Silva, a high school friend of Collier’s, told the AP. “I thought it was a joke,” he told local ABC affiliate 7News.
“It was disgusting. I couldn’t believe it,” Collier’s cousin Jessica Maestas told 7News. Victoria Quintana, a friend of Collier’s, told the Denver Post. “It was humiliating.”“It was disgusting. I couldn’t believe it,” Collier’s cousin Jessica Maestas told 7News. Victoria Quintana, a friend of Collier’s, told the Denver Post. “It was humiliating.”
Protest beginning for lesbian woman denied funeral at New Hope Ministries in Lakewood. #9NEWS pic.twitter.com/8FFzsywdPIProtest beginning for lesbian woman denied funeral at New Hope Ministries in Lakewood. #9NEWS pic.twitter.com/8FFzsywdPI
Another friend, Jeanette Arguello, told the Post that Chavez had shocked her: “A church turning away a funeral – who has ever heard of anything like that happening?”Another friend, Jeanette Arguello, told the Post that Chavez had shocked her: “A church turning away a funeral – who has ever heard of anything like that happening?”
Silva described the moment he the pallbearers moved to take up Collier’s coffin again: “It felt like I had been hit with a bat across the chest.”Silva described the moment he the pallbearers moved to take up Collier’s coffin again: “It felt like I had been hit with a bat across the chest.”
“Every person who dies should have an opportunity to be buried with dignity,” he said.“Every person who dies should have an opportunity to be buried with dignity,” he said.
Silva posted a disheartened and angry message on Facebook: “As a Christian I am ashamed of what I witnessed today and disgusted in a pastor I once had respect for. We are all God’s children and will be judged upon the golden gates.”Silva posted a disheartened and angry message on Facebook: “As a Christian I am ashamed of what I witnessed today and disgusted in a pastor I once had respect for. We are all God’s children and will be judged upon the golden gates.”
Collier’s family seeks an apology and refund from Chavez, which has not yet been paid, according to the protest’s organizers.Collier’s family seeks an apology and refund from Chavez, which has not yet been paid, according to the protest’s organizers.
Gary Rolando, a chaplain unaffiliated with New Hope, was called in by Collier’s family to conduct the memorial at a mortuary across the street. Rolando told the Associated Press that Chavez and New Hope officials canceled the original ceremony because they did not want images of two women kissing in the church.Gary Rolando, a chaplain unaffiliated with New Hope, was called in by Collier’s family to conduct the memorial at a mortuary across the street. Rolando told the Associated Press that Chavez and New Hope officials canceled the original ceremony because they did not want images of two women kissing in the church.
Rolando told 7News that Chavez and church officials reviewed the memorial video only minutes before the service, although they had received it days before. He said he was a friend of Collier’s father, and that the full video was shown at the second service.Rolando told 7News that Chavez and church officials reviewed the memorial video only minutes before the service, although they had received it days before. He said he was a friend of Collier’s father, and that the full video was shown at the second service.
Rolando told NBC affiliate 9News that he hopes the Collier family “will be able to move forward from here in healing and peace”.Rolando told NBC affiliate 9News that he hopes the Collier family “will be able to move forward from here in healing and peace”.
New Hope Ministries referred a call on Wednesday to Rolando, who was not immediately available. Subsequent calls to the church ended in a disconnected tone.New Hope Ministries referred a call on Wednesday to Rolando, who was not immediately available. Subsequent calls to the church ended in a disconnected tone.
“The church policy is that people with alternate lifestyles can have services, but there can be no pictures or videos of overt kissing or hugging,” Rolando told the AP. “I understand both sides. The family wanted to honor Vanessa, and the church has to answer to its board and the members who pay their bills.”“The church policy is that people with alternate lifestyles can have services, but there can be no pictures or videos of overt kissing or hugging,” Rolando told the AP. “I understand both sides. The family wanted to honor Vanessa, and the church has to answer to its board and the members who pay their bills.”
New Hope Ministries does not list a Christian denomination on its website, saying only that Chavez and his wife founded the church in 1981, in part as a rehab for adults and “troubled youth”. A statement from Chavez says New Hope’s mission is “to reach the lost”. “We’re a center of hope,” he writes, “with hands of mercy.”New Hope Ministries does not list a Christian denomination on its website, saying only that Chavez and his wife founded the church in 1981, in part as a rehab for adults and “troubled youth”. A statement from Chavez says New Hope’s mission is “to reach the lost”. “We’re a center of hope,” he writes, “with hands of mercy.”
Collier, who died 30 December from a gunshot wound she suffered while cleaning her weapon, is survived by her fiancee, Christina, and two children.Collier, who died 30 December from a gunshot wound she suffered while cleaning her weapon, is survived by her fiancee, Christina, and two children.