In October 2002, Christian women working for the Oakland City government created the Good News Employee Association, which they described as ?a forum for people of Faith to express their views ... with respect for the Natural Family, marriage and family values.?

That group was created after homosexual activists used an official bulletin board and the city government's e-mail system to pressure employees to participate in ?National Coming Out Day.? Denied access to the e-mail system, the Christian employees displayed a flier advertising their group on the office bulletin board. A lesbian employee complained about the flier, causing administrators to remove it and declare its content to be ?homophobic.?

The Christian employees were warned that termination could result if they were caught making positive references to marriage and the family as defined in the Bible. That policy has been ratified by two federal courts. And Congress is considering a proposed ?hate crime? law that would have a similar impact on free speech nation-wide.

Let us stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.