Church miffed at Padres' 'gay' game

SAN DIEGO, July 7 (UPI) -- A Christian group says the San Diego Padres are leading children into believing homosexuality is "normal" by playing host to 1,000 gays at a baseball game.

The Thomas More Law Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., accused the Padres of mixing Sunday's gay day, which is being called "Out at the Park," with a plan to distribute free floppy hats to children 14 or younger, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.

Richard Thompson, the group's president, told the Times, "The Padres are playing the part of the Pied Piper leading unsuspecting children into the homosexual lifestyle as normal."

Ron deHarte, executive director of San Diego LGBT Pride, told the Times the law center's concern for children "is just a shield for the homophobic, anti-gay message they're trying to get out."

"Gays and children attend games all season and there is no problem," DeHarte said.

San Diego LGBT Pride bought 1,000 tickets for Sunday's contest.