Defaced Billboard Drives Response

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - More energized than ever before, that's the message from the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center, days after a billboard was vandalized. Now, a rally is in the works to channel those feelings of outrage.

Resentment, disappointment, shock, and anger are all safe ways to describe how Will Bates feels. But it won't get the best of him, at least, not in the form of revenge. He has a more peaceful plan of attack that will unfold this weekend.

"We are more interested, we are more committed to speaking out than ever before in reaction to this, this will not keep us quiet," says Bates, Executive Director.

Bates is still in shock.

"I felt sick to my stomach, I was angry, I'm still a little angry about it, I can't say I'm completely surprised by it, but it is a little shocking that it would happen so quickly cause the billboard had just been up a week or 10 days."

The targeted billboard, one of 5 purchased around the city, featured Memphian Tim Smith.

"This particular content is a former Marine who was removed from the service under the don't ask, don't tell.

After serving in uniform for four years, and being 20 days from an Iraqi deployment, he was ousted in 2005, because of his sexuality. Now, another black eye for Smith, and the gay and lesbian organization that secured private donors that paid $3500 for the billboard series. But the group says this won't stop their efforts.

"This has really energized our community to say we're tired of being quiet about it, we have just as much right to talk about our partners, our families, as anyone else does, and so we're tired of being quiet about it."

A rally is planned for this weekend to channel emotions in a positive way.

"Protest in anger really just kind of stir up the anger, but protest with a purpose, which is what ours is going to be, is to use that feeling to do things in the community, to speak out, to encourage other people to come out in the community who may not have been comfortable up until this point."

He says, taking advantage of someone tearing down their message is only making them speak up, even louder to be heard.

Memphis police are still investigating the incident.

The rally is planned for 1pm Sunday at First Congregational Church on Cooper.