Earlier we mentioned that Texas Gov. Rick Perry is organizing a big pray-a-thon or whatever-the-hell-you-wanna-call-it at Reliant Stadium in Houston in August. The event itself is hardly surprising from Perry, but his decision to partner with the American Family Association — a certified anti-gay hate group — is a major slap in the face to the LGBT community. (We wonder if The Economist still thinks Perry will soften his stance on same-sex marriage?) At this point, our biggest regret is that the event isn’t being held in Dallas because the protests, which are already being organized on Facebook, should be a lot of fun. Here’s what the Houston GLBT Political Caucus had to say about Perry’s big anti-gay pray day in a statement this morning:
HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston GLBT Political Caucus, representing approximately 250,000 people throughout the Greater Houston Metropolitan Area has condemned the decision of Governor Rick Perry to “reach out” to the anti-GLBT hate group American Family Association (AFA) to serve as primary host and sponsor for his upcoming “Day of Prayer” event.
“AFA is a recognized hate group. Its primary existence is to demonize GLBT Americans and oppose equality.” said Caucus president Noel Freeman. “It is abhorrent that Governor Perry would choose to kickoff his presidential ambitions in partnership with a hate group that refers to us as Nazis, claims the Holocaust was caused by the GLBT community, and supports the eradication of people living with HIV.”
While the Caucus is a strong proponent of religious freedom, and encourages its members and others to exercise their constitutional right to exercise that religious freedom, the line must be drawn when the governor of the great State of Texas asks a hate group to serve as his primary partner in an event of this nature. Such a partnership serves as nothing more than an assault on the GLBT community.
“Governor Perry’s partnership with AFA is very telling of his opinion of the GLBT community, which is surprising, considering the number of gay and lesbian staff who have worked in his office over the years.” Freeman said. “We encourage all members of the GLBT community and those others who support equality and oppose hate to stand by our side in condemning this reprehensible act by Governor Perry and demand he exclude AFA from this event.”
The Houston GLBT Political Caucus is the oldest continually operating GLBT civil rights organization in the United States.
Partnering with the AFA – a recognized hate group really shows what kind of person Rick Perry is, an opportunist who will do anything for votes! His callous disregard for the LGBT community in Texas should be a clear signal that he is absolutely the wrong person for any kind of elected office. Pity we can’t organize a recall election.
Liberals used to say that God loved all his children. Now, because they find it politically easier, they have decided they want to pass on the myth of separation of church and state which appears nowhere in the constitution, attack and ridicule people of faith at every turn and ask people of faith to leave their values at the door. Liberals have no shame, are godless & intolerant.