Lesbian pastor scolds House

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RICHMOND -- A lesbian pastor from Northern Virginia yesterday accused delegates of discriminating against homosexuals during her prayer to open the House session.

"Holy One, convict those who are using their power not to lead or to guide but to harm gay and lesbian citizens, a small minority within this commonwealth," said the Rev. Debra Peevey, pastor of the Journey of the Heart Ministries in Reston.

"We need to be reminded of what unites us, not pitted against one another. A house divided, you have warned us, cannot stand," she said.

Delegate Brian J. Moran, Alexandria Democrat, had invited Miss Peevey to deliver the opening prayer, which is a daily tradition performed by leaders of different faiths from across the state. Mr. Moran said he did not know she would be making such remarks.

Delegates bowed their heads as she began her prayer, but once she began calling them "partisans" and "ideologues," many lawmakers in the Republican-controlled chamber looked up in surprise.

Some said they could not recall such a prayer ever being given in the chamber.

Mr. Moran described her prayer as "thought-provoking," but several of his colleagues said they did not appreciate Miss Peevey's remarks.

Delegate Christopher B. Saxman said Miss Peevey's "lecture" was "unfortunate," noting that it was the first time in his three-year legislative career that he stopped praying during the opening prayer.

"It's supposed to be a time when we don't have politics on the floor," Mr. Saxman, Staunton Republican, said. "This is not the time and place for it. It's the one time of the day that you can stop and reflect without partisanship and the bickering."

Miss Peevey said she opposes some of the measures the House has approved, such as a state constitutional amendment that would define marriage as the union of a man and a woman, a bill that would require officials to ask persons seeking to adopt if they are homosexual and a proposal for a license plate advocating traditional marriage.

"I have just been so angered by their complete lack of regard for the dignity of all of the citizens of the commonwealth," Miss Peevey told The Washington Times after the prayer. "It has been so hard watching them and it's just been so hateful. I just wanted to step up in love and show them they have no justification to be hateful."