Jerry Falwell has died at 73.
For some he’ll be remembered as the founder of the Moral Majority. For me, Falwell will be remembered for two things:
1. Outing Tinky Winky (of the Teletubbies).
“He is purple — the gay pride color; and his antenna is shaped like a triangle — the gay-pride symbol.”
“As a Christian I feel that role modelling the gay lifestyle is damaging to the moral lives of children.”
Purple is not the gay pride color (well, not the only gay pride color) and, ironically, the triangle was a symbol of oppression of gays before it became a symbol of pride. Because of Jerry’s rant, I fondly remember a Columbia gay bar that had proudly placed a Tinky Winky doll behind the bar for years.
2. DC Talk concert at Liberty University
Years and years ago, I traveled from nearby Roanoke, Va., to catch DC Talk, a Christian hip-hop group, preform at Falwell’s Liberty University. The group performed “It’s the End of the World as We Know It,” (originally performed by gay R.E.M. vocalist Michael Stipe). That alone would be shocking enough, but Falwell even came out during the show and moshed (well faux-moshed) with the group. If only YouTube had been around.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.
