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Bell Shoals Baptist Church Targeted By Protest

JASON BEHNKEN / The Tampa Tribune

Bell Shoals Baptist Church senior pastor Forrest Pollock listens during a press conference and protest outside his church Thursday evening. Protestors expressed outrage over an anti-gay summit being hosted by Bell Shoals. Pollock later spoke to the protestors.

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By CHRIS ECHEGARAY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 21, 2007

Updated: 09/21/2007 09:30 am

Photos From The Protest

BRANDON - Protesters on Thursday afternoon accused the Bell Shoals Baptist Church of discriminating against gay men and lesbians.

The church's pastor, Forrest Pollock, denied that claim, inviting the 75 protesters to Sunday service.

Protesters supporting the rights of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people railed against the church's Family Impact Summit that focuses on moral issues, including the 'homosexual agenda.' The conference concludes today.

Equality Florida, which bills itself as a human rights group dedicated to the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, spearheaded the protest.

Nadine Smith of Equality Florida challenged Pollock to give gay activists access to the summit. He declined.

The protesters stood on the sidewalk of the 7,500-member Bell Shoals Baptist Church for about 1 1/2 hours.

On the church steps, 70 parishioners sat, prayed and watched protesters criticize their church. Parishioners approached for interviews deferred to their minister.

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