Pastor of Ames church targeted with hate crime says Christians have a duty to fight bigotry

The Ames man who stole and burnt a church's LGBTQ banner could face up to 15 years in prison after a jury found him guilty Wednesday.

Story County Attorney Jessica Reynolds said a jury found Adolfo Martinez, 30, of Ames, guilty of a hate crime — a class "D" felony — third-degree harassment and reckless use of fire. Police said he stole a pride banner hanging at Ames United Church of Christ, 217 6th St, and burned it early June 11 outside Dangerous Curves Gentleman’s Club, 111 5th St. 

The church's pastor, Eileen Gebbie, a member of the LGBTQ community herself, said the experience changed her opinion of Ames for the better — although the church received hate mail the day of the verdict.

"I often experienced Ames as not being as progressive as many people believe it is, and there still is a very large closeted queer community here," Gebbie said. "But 12 people that I don't know, who have no investment in me or this congregation, said this man committed a crime, and it was crime borne of bigotry and hatred."

She said Wednesday's verdict affirmed to her how Ames and Story County view the harmful potential of hate speech. 

Ames police responded to a call early June 11 to find Martinez yelling in the street while lighting the banner on fire, according to court records.

Martinez pled not guilty to the charges in July, despite telling KCCI in June he was "guilty as charged."

Gebbie said a few days after the initial news, she wanted to give Martinez the benefit of the doubt considering the time it occurred and a bar was involved, but his actions and words "reveal the depth of homo-, trans-, and queerphobia in our 'Iowa nice' community.”

Reynolds said Story County will recommend the maximum sentence of 15 years. The Story County jury also found Martinez guilty of being a habitual offender for two prior felonies, Reynolds said. 

A sentencing hearing is pending arrangements.

Martinez's public defender, Alessandra Marcucci, said she and her client won't be commenting on the verdict. 

Three weeks after Martinez tore the flag from the church, another pride flag took its place. Gebbie said she purposely avoided a spectacle.

Instead, Gebbie said she simply announced the new flag's arrival at sermon and welcomed anyone who wishes to join in putting it up. She described the moments following as "very joyous."

"Everyone was just so happy and glad to do it and so really proud to stand next to it (the flag) and say, 'Yes, this is what we believe about God and God's adoration of all people,'" Gebbie said. 

The United Church of Christ is seen in Ames, Iowa. The banner above the doorway reads "God is still speaking." The banner was stolen and lit on fire in June. (Photo: Special to the Register)

Gebbie said Christians have a special duty to counter hate speech as churches have allowed their "theology to be used to insight bigotry and segregation and death." 

"I think churches, Christian churches have a very specific duty to combat and make up for the depths of spiritual and actual violence that Christian churches have done to the LGBTQIA people," Gebbie said. "Just as Christian churches have done to significant damage to communities of color."

Danielle Gehr is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. She can be reached by email at dgehr@dmreg.com, by phone at 515-284-8367 or on Twitter at @Dani_Gehr.