TULSA, Okla. - An outspoken opponent of gay marriage who serves on the executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention was arrested last week allegedly propositioning a plainclothes male police officer, according to news reports.
Pastor Lonnie Latham [pictured] faces a misdemeanor charge for allegedly offering to engage in an act of lewdness, according to police Capt. Jeffrey Becker. Latham is known for speaking out against gay marriage and urging gays to turn away from their "sinful, destructive lifestyle."
He is senior pastor at South Tulsa Baptist Church. Latham allegedly asked the officer to join him in his hotel room for oral sex, prompting his arrest. Latham was arrested in the parking lot of the Habana Inn, where police were investigating public complaints about male prostitutes flagging down cars. Latham faces up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine on the lewdness charge.
He told KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City that he was set up, and that he was in the area to minister to people. The Southern Baptist Convention said it did not plan to remove Latham from his leadership position, AP reported. "Typically, when there is a moral failure of this sort, there's a voluntary resignation," said Kenyn Cureton, vice president for convention relations.
