Pastor George C. Gilbert Sr. of Holy Trinity United Baptist Church in Northeast said the time has come to respond to the ''precious heterosexual ethic in our religion, society and culture'' that gay people have placed under attack. He told the crowd that ''homosexual activists'' are working to tear down ''biblical values and moral standards.''

''We know that one's race, religion and national origin are all protected under the Constitution," Gilbert said, "but homosexuals want their sexual choices protected too, as if being gay were the same as being black. That is untrue, and it is very offensive.''