Gay rights group no longer invited to Rapid City charity event

Talk about it

RAPID CITY (AP) — A South Dakota gay rights group has been told it's no longer welcome at an event sponsored by a national faith-based ministry.

According to media reports, the Black Hills Center for Equality was initially told by a local National Convoy of Hope volunteer it could have an HIV prevention and education booth Saturday at a community event for low-income residents. It would have included the distribution of free condoms.

Convoy of Hope officials say the local organizer made a mistake in accepting the application and cited "divergent core values" between the two organizations.

Center of Equality spokeswoman Patti Martinson calls the decision unfortunate and disappointing. She says she doesn't know what Convoy of Hope's core values are, but says her group is about helping people.

Tags: news, updates, state, gay, charity