Joe Solmonese
Earlier today we got to wondering why no national LGBT groups have weighed in on Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s decision to hold a “Day of Prayer” event funded by the American Family Association, which has been designated an anti-gay hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. As of this morning, the only LGBT group that had publicly condemned the Day of Prayer was the Houston GLBT Political Caucus, which released a statement on Tuesday about the event set for Aug. 6 at Houston’s Reliant Stadium. But this event has national implications. Perry, who may run for president, has invited governors from all 49 other states, and again, the Day of Prayer is being funded by the Mississippi-based AFA, a national group with many active state chapters. So we reached out to the Human Rights Campaign, which responded by issuing the below statement. HRC spokesman Michael Cole-Schwartz says the organization is also planning an online action, and we’ll have more info on that shortly. We’ve also reached out to Equality Texas and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, but thus far we haven’t received any response. Here’s HRC’s statement:
“Governor Perry’s decision to work with such blatantly anti-LGBT groups on an event billed as a day of prayer is disturbing,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Despite his horrendous track record on matters of equality, Perry is an elected official with a responsibility to work for the rights and protections of all Texas citizens. Aligning with groups who, on a daily basis, seek to demonize LGBT Americans sets a dangerous precedent.”
Kudos to HRC for being quick to respond to our inquiry and issuing this statement. Now it’s time for other local, state and national LGBT groups to get on board. Where is the outrage?
All the Bill White supporters from last year and every GLBT-QA group out there should organize together on the steps of the Capitol building with rainbow flags, high drag, and banners…and of course a closet for Perry in case he wants to hide…oh wait…he’s already in one. We can just have a big old Pride festival on the front lawn of the State Capitol. It is OUR month afterall!
Why did we have to rattle their cage to get a condemnation of Rick Perry’s planned prayer-hate day? Shouldn’t these guys have their finger on this?
I wonder how many Governors are actually thinking of coming here.
The GLBT community here in Houston is planning an event to coincide with “The Response”. We are building a coalition of the various community groups to say hate is not okay in our state. We would love to have our brothers and sisters from North Texas join us.
Having the American Family Association sponsor this event is not acceptable.
Please join us or let me know whom we need to get a hold of.
Thanks!
Bryan Hlavinka
HRC is planning an “online action.” Translation: HRC is going to send you an email begging for money.
disgusting-this event is slanted towrd the christian denomination while pretending to be inclusive-ALL Americans shoudldbe outraged that an elected public official is mixing religion with politics-this is backwards Middle East behavior
1) I am a 3 time delegate to the state Republican convention (2006, 2008, 2010).
2) I am a patron of Austin’s strip clubs.
3) My sources (plural) on Rick Perry’s adultery are excellent and credible. Rick Perry, a la Bill Clinton, has an enabling entourage who gets him “young hotties” to have sex with both in Austin and especially when he is on the road. The way it was described to me is that Perry was acting as if he was starring in a porno movie, having orgies with his entourage.
Robert Morrow Austin, TX
Rick Perry will never be President of Vice President because of his adultery and cheating on Anita. Pawlently or Romney will not take that risk. I have excellent sources on this in Austin; I have friends in the Austin strip clubs and they tell me exactly what Gov. Mack Daddy does. Perry, like Bill Clinton, has an enabling entourage who gets him “young hotties” to have sex with.
Robert Morrow Austin, TX 512-306-1510
From the comments section recently:
Kelso just said the obvious. It has been common knowledge for over five years that they are not ‘living together’, in the Biblical sense. Anita vented at the hair salon about Rick’s behavior and his kids told everyone in the halls at Austin High School. Then the chair of RNC shows up to pour oil on the water — take Rick and Anita ‘to the Caribbean’ and explain to Anita why she should play nice and not hire Becky Beaver.
They now have a huge house so she has her own wing. She just shows up for official events as arm candy. She is probably unhappy about the talk of his running for President — how long does she have to continue this charade?
Google “Why Anita Perry Never Smiles”
Robert, as we discussed Saturday, without affidavits and some corroborating statements, this is all just hearsay. If it’s true, or witnesses say it is, let’s get something on paper or video. If not, then let’s not make such statements. If they aren’t true, thn it wouldf be extremely unfair to persist. If they are, then Perry is a hypocrite of the first magnitude. Until I see more substantiation, I will label all such comments on our websites as unsubstantiated hearsay.
Nothing surprises me about Rick Perry. What surprises me is that no matter what –we do not become active. We gather at bars, at brunches, at cocktail parties, even at church, However we do not register to vote, nor do we go to the effort of voting. We sit back and expect tp be taken care of by others. I have voted from the first chance to and have voted at all opportunities. I can fell good about my efforts. I am baffled by the returns. I know I have many who agree with me with our needs, our policies our abilities to think and act. But where are they? Please register to vote. Please take the few minutes to vote. Our future, out lives depend on thinking people.
Robert: I saw your ad seeking witnesses/particiapnts. If you find them, you have made your point in spades. If not, ethics dictates that you back off.