Non-Gay Africans
Idea: Sam West Script: Dan Mirk
5-01-07 (CLK)
INT. ONION NEWS STUDIO
ANCHOR
In an areas wracked with drought
and famine, American charitable aid
groups can mean the difference
between life and death. One such
organization is the Colorado-based
evangelical Covenant Church's God's
Hands program. It has so far
donated over $900,000 dollars to
help non-gay sub-Saharan Africans.
Joining us now via satellite is the
group's spokesperson and co
founder, Josephine Bates.
SPLIT SCREEN: Josephine Bates appears in a window.
ANCHOR (CONT'D)
Ms. Bates, how did you and your
church come to start "God's Hands"?
BATES
As a Christian organization, we're
charged with spreading Christ's
love, therefore we just couldn't
sit by while non-gay Africans are
dying of hunger. Millions of
people are suffering, roughly 90%
of whom have done nothing to
deserve it.
ANCHOR
How is your organization different
than other African aid groups?
BATES
There's one major difference. All
of the money we collect goes
directly to help feed, clothe, and
provide medical care for needy
Africans who don't have sex with
members of their own gender. The
church pays for all organizational
fees.
ANCHOR
I know that's a big concern of
people who donate money to
charities. They want to know their
money isn't being wasted.
BATES
We're one group that's not misusing
funds. We need all the help we can
get. In the country of Zambia alone
- one nation-- there are 5 million
people who don't have enough to
eat. That means we're trying raise
resources to feed about 4.6 million
of them.
ANCHOR
That's a big job.
BATES
Yes, but nothing is impossible with
God's help. I am proud to say we
have already provided over 150
shipments of food for the
heterosexuals in the region.
ANCHOR
Is there any litmus test for who is
entitled to receive aide?
BATES
None at all. As long as you are not
gay, we welcome you with open arms.
ANCHOR
That's wonderful.
PHOTO: Billboard: A map highlights areas in Lesotho, Malawi,
Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe in Africa. "EVERY
SINGLE DAY non-gays are DYING. Stop hunger."
PHOTO: Newspaper ad:
"What can I do to help starving non-gay Africans?"
ANCHOR (CONT'D)
Is part of your goal is to simply
raise awareness of your group's
message?
BATES
Absolutely. We're called by Christ
to lend a helping hand.A
heterosexual may live 10,000 miles
away, but he's still a person.
ANCHOR
Yes, n this nation of plenty, we
tend to forget there are people out
there in need. I understand this
isn't the first time your church
has become involved in
international charity work.
BATES
Not at all. Last year we helped non-
Muslims in Indonesia rebuild their
homes after the devastating
Earthquake there. In 2005 we sent
aid to pro-life victims of the
Guatemalan Floods.
BATES (CONT'D)
Well, it's all worth it as long as
that every little child we help
grows up healthy and not gay. And
who knows? Maybe one day he'll
help his heterosexual neighbors the
same way we helped him.
ANCHOR
It's all about spreading the good
will. I wish you the best of luck
with your work. It is commendable.
BATES
Well, Christians like myself see it
as a God-given duty to help our
fellow man-- black or white,
straight or heterosexual.
ANCHOR
If viewers out there are inspired
by this and want to help out, what
can they do?
BATES
Go to our web site and click
through to confirm you are not gay.
ANCHOR
Thank you for joining us today,
Reverend. Next up...
*VISUALS TO
SPRINKLE
THROUGHOUT:
B-ROLL: White volunteers in "Darfur Peace Through Jesus" t
shirts sit at a booth with a sign reading, "Free Water, Food,
Medicine For Heterosexual Refugees." The same thing is
written in Arabic beneath that.
PHOTO: Volunteers hand out water and food to refugees. The
volunteer wears a "Stop the death of non-gays" T-shirt.
B-ROLL: Donation boxes filled with canned food marked, "Help
the Save the Straight in Darfur."
B-ROLL: Donation boxes filled with used sweaters and coats
marked, "Your Donations Keep Non-Gay Victims Warm"
B-ROLL: A volunteer stands on a street corner holding out a
petition to passersby. Close on petition's title: "Do You
Want to Save a Non-Gay Human Life?"
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