In the latter vein, he supported the SBC's adoption of a policy encouraging Baptists to befriend gays and lesbians and to help them "reject their sinful, destructive lifestyle.
[4] On Tuesday, October 26, 2004, one week before the 2004 General Election, Latham addressed the subject of State Question 712, a referendum on the expansion of tribal gaming and installation of gambling machines at three local racetracks.
“.... We’re hoping that we can gather not only 51,000 names but also many more who will see this as the moral issue that it is.” Latham also said the social costs of gaming outweigh its benefits, and he opposed efforts to establish a state lottery.
According to police officials, Latham made no mention of prayer, told the officer his name was "Luke," and said he was from Dallas and worked frequently in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
"[10] South Tulsa Baptist Church issued the following statement:[11] "We are deeply grieved to hear the news about our pastor, Lonnie Latham.
Lonnie Latham notified The Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma that he was resigning from the BGCO Board of Directors effective immediately.
Morris Chapman, CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention, says of Latham - "In spite of his denials soon after his arrest, he now acknowledges the incident did happen and that he needs help.
"[14] Dr. Charles A. Cruce, Director of Missions for The Tulsa Metro Association of Baptist Churches posted the following message: Jamie McDaniel, a spokesperson for Soulforce who works to change the antigay policies of the SBC, said: "It’s tragic that so many, like Rev.
Latham, have never been told the truth that they can live with dignity and express their God-given sexuality in ways that are open, honest, loving and life-affirming.
"[citation needed] Writes Leslie Robinson of the gay newspaper, The Dallas Voice, "Whew, good thing I’m not required to take such a high-minded approach.
"[15] In a January 6 press release, The National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce commented: "This isn't the first time he's been in the area, having received a traffic violation there a few years back.
And, of course, in recent years the Southern Baptist Convention - the nation's largest Protestant denomination - has become increasingly homophobic and aligned itself with the worst elements of the far right in working to stop Marriage Equality for gay people... "These kinds of situations involving anti-gay political and religious leaders being caught, literally, with their pants down are hardly uncommon.
Dr. Mel White, founder of Soulforce, an organization which works on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to oppose religious and political oppression, commented about Rev.
[18] On March 7, 2007, Latham was found to be not guilty by Special Judge Roma McElwee, who said her ruling was based on the evidence and not on the issue of the constitutionality of the law in question.
But Oklahoma City District Attorney Wes Lane says, “The law in Oklahoma prohibits an individual from soliciting another to engage in what is considered a lewd act regardless of whether money is sought for or exchanged.” The American Civil Liberties Union filed a brief for Latham,[22] stating that the law is unconstitutional because it makes it a crime for an adult to ask another adult to engage in legal conduct.