Cactus Canyon Campground & Resort is suing their neighbors for harassment and shooting at campers. The campground is requesting donations on its web site to help defray legal costs.

The owners of a gay men's campground in Douglas County have sued their neighbors for alleged harassment that ranges from shooting at campers to raising hogs in order to oust the campground.

Cactus Canyon Campground owners Charles Franzke and James Thideman's suit further alleges that the harassment violates Missouri's hate crime law, which includes crimes based on sexual orientation.

'That is the whole crux of the harassment: that we are gay and that we run a successful gay business,' Thideman said.

...The court filing states that the defendants shot at, threw rocks at, threatened and circulated petitions against the campground owners. It also states that they vandalized campground property, trespassed and started a hog farm on the property line 'with the specific intent of creating an environmental degradation and to create hazardous runoff.'

'What I want is for my clients to be able to live their life and be free of threats and to not have hog waste running down their hill,' said Russ Schenewerk, a Branson attorney representing Thideman and Franzke...

Cactus Canyon Campground is a campground that is fully legal in its operation, but now is under scrutiny by individuals that believe that homosexuality is a sin.

The News Articles that have been in print recently are:
Springfield News Leader June 24th, 2005, March 19, 2006

Other media articles or discussions:
365Gay.com , Advocate.com , Siruis OutQ, PinkNewsUK, New York Blade

...Cost of litigation is expensive, but litigation is necessary. We urge you to help defray the cost of litigation and show that we will not tolerate our civil rights being trampled on. We are accepting donations and you may call us at 417-683-9199. We can take donations currently via MC/VISA at that number or thru this special Pay Pal Account that was set up for donations"...