During the event, a bow-fishing trip in Ohio was offered as one of the raffle prizes. The guest pastor, however, made it clear that this opportunity was intended for men only, jokingly advising attendees to “leave their wives at home.” Lisa, surprised but undeterred, saw another woman enter the raffle and decided to do the same. Unfortunately, when the pastor drew names, he selected the other woman first, only to inform her that she could not claim the prize because it was restricted to men. When Lisa’s name was drawn next, she was met with the same rejection, stating, “It was disappointing to learn that my gender disqualified me from participating.”
Lisa expressed her astonishment at this treatment, especially in a church setting where all should be considered equal. “I have always been respected in hunting and fishing circles, so this was shocking,” she remarked. Many believed such gender-based restrictions were relics of the past, but Harmony Baptist Church stood firm in their decision.
In a now-removed Facebook post, Pastor Mark Thompson explained the church’s rationale. He noted that due to the current climate surrounding sexual misconduct and allegations, they preferred to limit such outings to men to avoid potential misunderstandings. He claimed that the trip’s limitations were stated clearly, yet two women still chose to enter the raffle.
Lisa responded to this reasoning with frustration. “Why should I have to be accompanied by my father to address this situation? It feels like a step back in terms of equality.” When asked if the church reached out to her directly, she noted, “No one has contacted me personally, despite my presence on social media.”
Pastor Thompson did express a desire to speak with Lisa and her father about the misunderstanding, but Lisa remained unconvinced about the church’s intentions. She emphasized the importance of equality in hunting and fishing, stating, “These activities should be inclusive. If we don’t advocate for equal treatment, we won’t achieve true equality.”
Despite this setback, Lisa is determined to continue her passion for fishing and hunting. As Pennsylvania’s trout season opens on April 3, 2021, she plans to be out there, undeterred by the church’s policies.
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Summary
Lisa Carter faced discrimination when she was denied a fishing trip prize from Harmony Baptist Church due to her gender. Despite the pastor’s claims that the trip was intended for men only as a precaution against misunderstandings, Lisa highlighted the importance of gender equality in outdoor sports. She remains committed to her passion for fishing and hunting, advocating for equal opportunities for women.