First, according to eyewitnesses, the assailant did ask for directions to the nearest gay bar, but he did not announce his intentions until after he had been given directions to the Backstreet Cafe. The restaurant worker in question called police immediately. He acted responsibly. Second, as you state, the Roanoke church hosted the Welcoming Church program in 1993. The struggle that you refer to did happen - as it does in every church where a program of change is introduced.
All churches experience some resistance to a new program, any new program.
Although some people left, true of almost all churches, the people here take great joy in being a Welcoming Church. I feel that your characterization of the members and leaders of this church as fighting the implementation of the program as unfair and hurtful to the many members who worked hard to make the program a reality. This is not a Welcoming Church simply because it went through the program, it is a welcoming church in the true sense of the word - beliefs backed by action. Roanoke did not do that. If it asked questions during the process, if was for knowledge and understanding.