Lou Beres
Claims to fame: Longtime chairman, Christian Coalition of Oregon; former chairman, Multnomah County Republican Party; obsessive anti-gay activist; child molester
Moral apex: Sexually abused at least three pre-teen girls.
What’s worse: There were all family members.
What’s even worse: Two of them were Beres’ own biological daughters. The third was his six-year-old sister-in-law.
Can it get any worse? Lou Beres’ brother, Bob, was accused of at least one similar incident.
Then? Then Beres lied about everything. He “withdrew” from public life in October, 2005, denying any criminal misconduct; he blamed the accusations on his “personal and political enemies.”
Finally, when confronted by police in late 2005, Beres confessed — but only after he knew he couldn’t be charged with a crime:
Mr. Beres was told some allegations had been made against him, and Detetctive McGowan told him the criminal allegations were past the statute of limitations and he would not be arrested. … Mr. Beres told us he understood and was grateful.… Mr. Beres acknowledged that he had ’sinned’ in the past but had repented. He readily admitted to sexually touching Ms. — when she was in her early teen years… Mr. Beres also said he had sexually touched a friend of Ms. —’s …
… He vehemently denied that there were any other incidents with any other children. He drew the distinction that he would not touch any blood related member of his family.
… Mr. Beres became agitated and and said he was being deprived of loving his grandchildren, for a mistake decades ago.
Anything else? Everything he doesn’t like is the fault of the gays, and/or is behind the big conspiracy to push the “homosexual agenda.” Like labor unions, for instance.
Memorable quotes:
“[Ms. —] said the abused were made to feel guilty and that they were not Christian if they did not forgive and forget. She said much of the guilt came from Mrs. and Mrs. Beres. Ms. — said the past incidents of abuse would come up from time to time and the family would be in turmoil. She said things would eventually calm down; the family would ignore it and bury it again.”— Det. Lee Gosson, Police report
“I was molested. I was victimized and I’ve suffered all my life for it. I’m still afraid to be in the same room with him.”
— One of Beres’ victims, now in her 50s
to The Oregonian
“My family has gone through hell. Lives have been ruined. Those of us who have come forward have been ostracized, verbally abused and the victims of character assassination… It must stop.”
— Richard Galat, Beres’ nephew, ibid.
“While I am grieved by the false allegations of my nephew, Richard Galat, I am attempting to determine the source of each claim. Once I learn who has made an allegation I will pursue the Biblical response and do all within my power to reconcile with that person.”
— Lou Beres, statement, October 10, 2005
“The premise that homosexuality is normal and that homosexual unions are the equivalent of marriage is degrading to marriage and family. The homosexual movement’s effort to teach children that this perversion is to be accepted and celebrated must be stopped.
“Homosexual activists like to say that no such teaching is occurring, but if that were really true why would they spend millions opposing Measure 9? It is obvious that homosexual “education” actually is a mainstay of their movement. They want to recruit children if not directly into homosexuality, then into their corps of supporters. Measure 9 will put a stop to the hijacking of our educational system by the homosexual activists.
“For the sake of the family, for the sake of your children, vote YES on Measure 9.”
— Lou Beres
Argument in favor of Oregon’s
anti-gay Measure 9 (2000)…which would have prohibited “encouraging, promoting, [and/or] sanctioning homosexual, [and/or] bisexual behaviors” in public schools (whatever that means).
Suggested Bible reading for Mr. Beres:
The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.— Psalm 36:3
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