Author, radio show host, lecturer and senior contributor to The Stream Dr. Michael Brown will be speaking tonight on homosexuality and the Bible at Appalachian State University in North Carolina. That is, if protesters don’t shut him down first.

‘Christian Mistreatment of Homosexuality’

Dr. Brown accepted the request from the organizer, Ratio Christi, to speak on “Christian Mistreatment of Homosexuality.” However, Dr. Brown’s intent to rebuke such mistreatment means nothing to activists. One protest group is putting false information online about the event, stirring up anger among the LGBT community. The social media campaign urges activists to “Rally against this hate, because hate happens here.”

According to one student, activists are “ready and willing to make a statement on Tuesday,” against Dr. Brown’s speech. “As a black, queer and genderqueer person, it really would be a disservice to myself and to my community to stand by silently as this man comes to campus and says very violent language,” the student said. “We’re not going to tolerate it. It’s just as simple as that. This is our campus.”

One student took to Twitter to express his opinion. “You’re not welcome. You’re misleading students of a fragile community. You need to be stopped. We’re not lying about you, everything you’ve ever said is a google search away. They’re (sic) are videos. Your’re (sic) hate is not welcomed to a place I, a gay men, pays tuition. Expect a protest.”

As for lying about me, oh, I'm afraid you are, blatantly and plainly. For example, one "quote" from me is NOT from me at all. Just search for it. It's from someone attacking me. Do you care about the truth? More info here: https://t.co/wHHW4Ru5eC

— Dr. Michael L. Brown (@DrMichaelLBrown) February 13, 2018

Another Twitter user had this to say, “He may claim he is a sheep in God’s flock. But I know what he really is: a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

Zach, thanks for your eloquent posts. I would say it's about time to find out who I really am and what I really believe. Do you have the courage for that, or will you hide behind myths, lies, and misperceptions? There will be a live stream of my talk at App State. Will you watch?

— Dr. Michael L. Brown (@DrMichaelLBrown) February 13, 2018

However, at least one quote from the online article was a complete falsehood. According to the article, Dr. Brown said, “[LGBT] people are inherently unhappy, unhealthy, sexually immoral or rebellious to the will of God.”

“The problem is that I never said those words, despite the quotation marks,” said Dr. Brown. “It was a critic of mine who said this, yet the protest organizers cite it as my words.”

The article also stated that Dr. Brown was listed by the Southern Poverty Law Center as one of “30 new activists heading up the radical right.” That, too, is incorrect. The SPLC removed the link to Dr. Brown’s name years ago.

At this point, it’s not known if the campus will block Dr. Brown and Ratio Christi from using the booked room or if they will have to move to another venue. Either way, Dr. Brown said he will make the two-hour drive to the campus and speak with protesters and audience members.

Update: The protesters have begun to gather at the university. One protester said the best way they know how to support their families is to come and “chant and yell and fight and cheer.” Please pray for Dr. Brown as he speaks truth in love to students at the university.

The Stream will continue to update this story throughout the day.