AFA Founder Hospitalized With Meningitis

A number of news outlets and blogs are reporting that Don Wildmon, founder of the gay-hating and pathologically lying American Family Association has been hospitalized with meningitis and is reportedly in critical condition. None of the stories, however, indicate whether Wildmon has viral as opposed to bacterial meningitis. While neither form is anything to be taken lightly, the viral form is generally far less lethal when compared to the bacterial form that can kill within a few hours. My oldest daughter had bacterial meningitis in 1999 - and had a truly miracle recovery and was written up as such by a local hospital - so I know well of what I speak. Regardless of the form of meningitis Wildmon has been stricken with, I hope that he recovers and perhaps learns something from the experience that will open his mind to loving others rather than denigrating them. His family is in my thoughts as well since I have some idea of what they are going through. Here are highlights via The Advocate:

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Don Wildmon, founder of the American Family Association -- a right-wing Christian group that promotes homophobia -- is in critical condition after being diagnosed with meningitis in a Mississippi hospital, according to the Associated Press. His son Tim, president of the organization, told the news agency that the older Wildmon was taken to the hospital this past weekend. Meningitis is a life-threatening disease that inflames the protective membrane covering the brain and spinal cord. It is caused by viral and bacterial infections.

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Wildmon rose to prominence in 1977 after creating the AFA, one of the country’s largest organizations dedicated to promoting antigay, "traditional" definitions of family and marriage.