New York church hit with violations for installing anti-gay sign without permission
A notoriously homophobic church in New York has been hit with a number of violations – for erecting an anti-gay sign without a permit.
ATLAH Worldwide Missionary Church in Harlem, NYC is well-known for its eccentric pastor James David Manning, as well as signs which often proclaim homophobic messages.
The sign previously proclaimed “Jesus would stone homos – stoning is still the law” – while Manning famously alleged that Starbucks flavours lattes with the “semen of Sodomites”.
However, the Church was this week charged with five violations for altering its landmarked premises on 123rd Street and Lenox Avenue without permission.
Damaris Olivo of the Landmarks Preservation Commission said the sign had been installed without approval – clarifying the content of the messages was not the reason for the decision.
She told DNA Info: “Please keep in mind that the Commission cannot legally regulate the content of a sign, however, permits must be obtained for the installation of signage on landmark properties.”
“The commission’s first priority is to work with property owners to adjust violations.
“Usually the property owner works with staff to resolve the violations. In this instance unfortunately we have to issue a Notice of Violation because the property owner has not been cooperative.”
“If the sign is not removed, the building’s owners could face increasing levels of fines.”
Pastor Manning previously claimed: “Starbucks is a place where these types frequent and a lot of body fluids are exchanged there.
“The thing that I was not aware of is that… what Starbucks was doing, is they were taking specimens of male semen, and they were putting it in the blends of their lattes.
“It’s the absolute truth. They’re using male semen, and putting it into the blends of coffees that they sell.
“My suspicion is that they’re getting their semen from sodomites. Semen flavours up the coffee, and makes you thinks you’re having a good time.”
