Pulpit bullies.

Recently a group of black pastors held a press conference in Los Angeles to kick off their "Black Contract With America on Moral Values." Topping the list on this new moral agenda was, of course, the protection of marriage from the evil homosexuals. Never one to pass up an opportunity to meet the enemy head-on, I decided to attend the press conference to hear and see for myself this new group and their moral agenda for black America.

As I expected, standing before us was a group of black pastors inspired, misguided, and led by one wealthy old crone, Reverend Lou Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition. Sheldon, who's white, dominated the press conference with his antigay agenda and showed no support for the other causes the black pastors deemed important in the plight of African-Americans, such as better access to health care and education.

Traditionally, black churches do not hold press conferences in this manner. I've seen black churches speak out publicly against police brutality, discrimination, and poor access to health care and education, but never gay marriage. No, this was all the handiwork and money of the TVC in an effort to enlist conservative African-Americans in Sheldon's antigay crusade.

This alliance brings new meaning to the phrase "sleeping with the enemy." Sheldon and these black pastors are in cahoots to lobby African-American legislators, many of whom are, in their eyes, on the wrong side of the marriage equality issue. The event in Los Angeles attracted about 100 black pastors. Several more like this one are taking place in cities around the country including Atlanta, New York, and Washington, D.C.

A recent Los Angeles Times article titled "GOP Sees a Future in Black Churches" explained how un likely alliances are being forged between conservative blacks and Republicans on issues like marriage equality and abortion. We saw this played out during the 2004 presidential election, and it isn't over yet.

African-American gays and lesbians know the power that the black church has on public opinion about social issues. A coordinated religious campaign has begun to get ministers across the nation to speak out against gays. But the de bate is not about religion; it's about politics and power.

Sheldon is to gays what Strom Thurmond was to blacks--a pain in the ass with an agenda and the dollars to back up his bigotry. So far, Sheldon's shady history isn't well-known among blacks, so he hasn't met much resistance from pastors looking for their 15 minutes of fame and a cut of President Bush's faith-based initiative.

If Sheldon and the GOP can work together with the black community, it should be no problem for gays and lesbians to break the racial divide. Imagine what we could do if we pooled our resources, leaders, and networks to counter their bigotry in the name of love, fairness for our families, and the separation of church and state.

At a GLBT strategy meeting held in Los Angeles to talk about Sheldon and the black pastors, activists from both West Hollywood and East Los Angeles showed up, including WeHo mayor John Duran. It was a perfect example of how gays and lesbians can and should work together with our allies. Some of the Latinos there said the same type of antigay movement was taking place in the Roman Catholic Church, and they shared what they were doing to fight back.

No one is safe in this crusade against gays. Regardless of your color, sex, or spiritual beliefs, they are coming for you. Now is the time for us to take it to the next level and stand in commonality against the enemy.

Los Angeles-based Cannick is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, a board member of the National Black Justice Coalition, and director of public relations for the Black AIDS Institute.