How do you best diffuse negative publicity? Well, according to Rev. Willie F. Wilson of the District’s Union Temple Baptist Church, you do so by identifying a problem so grave that it necessitates being labeled a “national emergency.” And what emergency is that? Young, African-American lesbians.

Wilson, a firebrand preacher, community activist, former mayoral candidate, and executive director of the Millions More Movement, first stepped into hot water when in a July 3 sermon he accused lesbianism of being behind the downfall of traditional African-American families and communities. Facing reams of negative publicity and criticism from prominent homosexual, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender advocacy groups, Wilson, pictured above, recently issued a written apology — sort of.

Stating early on that “I am not homophobic, nor am I an antifeminist” and recognizing his earlier sermon as being “intemperate,” Wilson quickly moved into crisis mode, describing a “severe crisis in the Black community concerning our young girls”:

…our girls, some as young as 10 and 11 years of age are engaging in same sex relations. This is occurring at an alarming rate all over the nation. At a recent local school, I am told that girls were asked to report to the gymnasium. A survey was conducted to decipher how many girls were involved in same sex relations, the number indicating that they were outnumbered those [sic] who had not by a 10 to 1 count. Teachers and school administrators indicate that a serious problem at general assemblies is preventing girls from openly displaying deep affection for each other when they gather.

Wilson pointed blame at “same sex girls’ gangs,” though failed to offer any evidence for that claim, identify the school he referred to, or define the term “deep affection.”

DCist, always alert to threats and security breaches, will keep readers up-to-date as to the presence of young African-American lesbians in the District, their aliases and affiliations, their modus operandi, and who best to call if they are spotted. Be aware — there seem to be many of them.

Image above taken from the Union Temple Baptist Church website. Wilson’s full statement can be viewed here (.pdf).