The Christianist and their theocratic allies have been decidedly upping the anti-gay rhetoric over the last few months - including new claims that gays seek to destroy "the family." Why? Because they apparently are fearful that the Obama administration and the Democrat controlled Congress may pass laws that assure LGBT American equal treatment as citizens. In addition, they know that time is NOT on their side and that the younger generations - even among evangelicals - are increasingly gay tolerant and supportive of full equality for gays. For professional Christians who make a living by shaking down the ignorant and paranoid, the anti-gay industry is a big business and should ENDA and the Matthew Shepard Act be enacted and DOMA and Don't Ask, Don't Tell be repealed, these folks will have loss the war and will be facing a serious declined in cash flow. Oh the horrors!! Therefore, expect the anti-gay propaganda to increase. Sally Kern speaking to the John Birch Society, Chris Buttars smearing gays, and the West Virginia gay sniper ad are likely only the opening salvos. Chris Johnson of the Washington Blade (who reads this blog) has a new story that largely confirms these points. The lesson for the LGBT community is that we cannot let up in our efforts to educate the general public about the lies and dishonesty of our foes. Here are some highlights: *
Anti-gay conservatives are increasing their rhetoric and activities because they fear public officials are more likely than ever to act on pro-gay initiatives. That’s the perception of at least one activist, who said he’s noticed an upswing in the ferocity of opposition to pro-gay initiatives now that social conservatives have lost power on the national stage and may be unable to stop lawmakers from approving measures like hate crimes legislation and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
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But Neil Giuliano, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, said even as anti-gay forces use homophobic rhetoric, Americans are becoming more able to see through it.“Anti-gay activists have continued to recycle the same divisive rhetoric and inflammatory misconceptions in their attack on LGBT people and our families,” he said, “and I think more and more people are seeing a contrast between the inclusive, affirming rhetoric of our current administration and the divisive, politics of the past that these groups represent.”
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One ill-fated attempt at demonizing gays emerged last week, as a one-hour television special targeting gay rights was slated to air on WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, Mich. The show, titled “Speechless: Silencing Christians,” was promoted as a program that would “reveal the truth about the radical homosexual agenda.”
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Grassroots activists in Michigan worked for days to convince WOOD-TV to remove the show from its schedule. Colette Beighley, assistant director of the gay resource center at Grand Valley State University, led the grassroots efforts by spearheading online networking on Facebook and speaking against the special to local news outlets. On Feb. 11, shortly after HRC issued an “action alert” urging supporters to call the station and oppose the special, WOOD-TV rescinded its offer to air it. The American Family Association, the organization that produced the show, didn’t respond to the Blade’s request for comment.
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On Feb. 12, Peter LaBarbera, president of Americans for Truth about Homosexuality, issued a statement urging Michael Steele, the newly elected chair of the Republican National Committee, to resist giving the Log Cabin Republicans a greater voice within the GOP. LaBarbera said he has heard that “hundreds, if not thousands” of calls were made to Steele’s office in support of Americans for Truth’s statement. The RNC didn’t respond to a request to comment.
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LaBarbera acknowledged that there was fear among social conservatives because “at least politically, on the Hill, the gay side is stronger than ever.” . . . A number of organizations traditionally opposed to pro-gay initiatives wouldn’t comment on whether they shared a perception that anti-gay rhetoric and activity has increased since the election. Focus on the Family declined to comment for this article and the Family Research Council didn’t respond to a request for comment.
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[Pam] Spaulding said she didn’t know whether anti-gay forces would succeed in passing a marriage amendment in North Carolina, but she predicted that if the groups are unable to pass any more anti-gay initiatives this year or in 2010, they will fall back on the line that “they are oppressed Christians and that any pro-LGBT efforts are squashing religious freedom.”“I think that this continued theme of being victimized by the homosexual agenda is their backup plan if the public decides that [it] isn’t important enough to pass any anti-gay legislation,” she said.
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And how should gays respond when opponents speak out against them — be it through television specials, activism or online media? Solmonese said anytime that occurs, pro-gay forces need “to call the other side out” and “do whatever it takes it make sure that we counter those lies with the truth.” “That’s what we did in Michigan,” he said, “and anytime we see that happening, that’s what we as an organization have a responsibility to do.”
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