Two LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgendered) supporters will debate about the role Christianity should play in the movement for the organization at 7 tonight in Phipps Lecture Hall of the Physical Science Building.

Rev. Seth Ethan Carey, of United Church of Christ, and Greg Spahn, of the American Humanist Association, will focus on how to go about involving organized religion in the LGBT movement in order to make progress.

The LGBT movement helps to maintain equal rights for all Americans regardless of sexual orientation or gender preference.

Pride President Dan Koteski said LGBT rights organizations have sponsored talks about a pro-gay interpretation of scriptures that can have a recruiting affect for supporters within various religious denominations.

Spahn feels that the organization should be selective about who the organization takes into the movement because one does not know if they are willing to become supporters.

Carey on the other hand will argue that the organization should open up the movement to various religious denominations and spread the need for supporters.

Koteski said neither are absolute in the sides they are taking in this debate.

“Neither are black and white on any of these issues,” he said.

Koteski said Spahn is taking a more radical approach, while Carey is willing to open up a little bit more.

“(I) expect one is going toward recruitment and the other de-emphasizes it,” he said.

Koteski said he is torn when it comes to this issue.

“I am looking forward to this debate because I am torn,” he said.

Koteski said Pride has hosted debates that mainly focused on pro-gay versus anti-gay issues.

“These events were well attended and we had dynamic speakers with good insights, but I wanted to do something new,” he said.

Koteski said the argument whether being gay is wrong or right is not debatable anymore.

“I’m passed the question if it’s OK to be gay including Pride members,” he said. “We know it’s OK. Now, we just need to know where we go on from here.”

Koteski said the debate is tailored toward LGBT affirming individuals who should come and learn about this issue within the movement.

“People who are in the dark about LGBT can gain from this because it reveals diversity of opinion in the LGBT and ally community,” he said.

Koteski said when it comes to LGBT issues, there is always an assumption that LGBT and allies agree on everything.

“There is a widespread stereotype that people believe that LGBT and allies are locked step on every issue,” he said. “This debate shows otherwise.”

Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7944 or at jmleggin@eiu.edu.