Family Research Council's Tony Perkins spins deluded hellfire over SCOTUS decision

FRC's Tony Perkins

If liberals should be anything, it's worried. When it comes to marriage, time is not on their side. Deep down, the Left knows it needed the Court to force same-sex "marriage" on America before more people saw the fallout for Christians like Aaron and Melissa Klein. Or sportscasters like Craig James. Or CEOs like Brandon Eich. Ask them if same-sex "marriage" is just about two people who love each other. For them, it was about losing their business, their livelihood, and their freedom.

If the Supreme Court thinks America isn't ready for same-sex "marriage," they're right. As more states are forced to recognize it, people will see the ensuing attacks on religious freedom. They'll feel the wedge driven between parents and their children when school curriculum is changed to contradict the morals moms and dads are teaching at home. They'll shudder as more people lose their jobs because they refuse to celebrate (not just tolerate) same-sex "marriage." Maybe then they'll realize that the true goal is not about the marriage altar -- but fundamentally altering society. - Family Research Council president Tony Perkins' deluded statement  about the recent SCOTUS decision

Talk about your sore losers.

SCOTUS ruling heats up marriage equality fight in South Carolina

Wilson

In spite of today's SCOTUS ruling, SC Attorney General Alan Wilson will continue to fight for the state's ban on marriage equality:

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson says he will keep fighting to uphold the state's constitutional ban on gay marriage. Wilson issued a statement Monday hours after the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to hear an appeal of a ruling allowing same-sex marriage by a federal appeals court with jurisdiction over South Carolina.Wilson says no ruling has been made in a lawsuit by a same-sex couple legally married in Washington, D.C., who live in South Carolina. They are asking to overturn the state's gay marriage ban. Wilson says he will keep fighting until there is a ruling in that case.

A lawyer for the same-sex couple, Carrie Warner, says she'll be filing paperwork soon asking for an immediate ruling in their favor.

Wilson's decision to keep on fighting, which is supported by Governor Nikki Haley, is going to be interesting because South Carolinians who support marriage equality and, no doubt invigorated by today's ruling, will be uniting on the State House steps in Columbia at noon on Wednesday.

Led by SC Equality, they will hold a press conference and a rally urging the state to allow marriage equality.

SCOTUS ruling creates shock, happy chaos for marriage equality supporters

Unless you were living in a cave with your fingers in your ears, you know the surprising decision the United States Supreme Court made this morning in denying appeals from five states regarding federal judges overturning their marriage equality bans. The collection of articles and tweets below will give you a picture of where it all stands. But I do say this - the lgbt community and especially our leadership organizations should be out of the gate not only explaining what these decisions mean but how we got to this point. The other side will immediately raise the talking point about "activist judges," when in fact it was their hubris, lies, and inability to fashion a coherent and logical argument against marriage equality which has led them down the path of loss.

The graphic above, taken from Think Progress, gives a view of what marriage equality looks like after today's SCOTUS decision 

SCOTUS Denies Appeals On Gay Marriage From 5 States - This article from Talking Points Memo is huge. It says that marriage equality has not only come to five states (Utah, Indiana, Virginia, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin), but six other states will most likely eventually have marriage equality because of the SCOTUS ruling (Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming).

 Same-sex marriage legal in at least 10 more states after Supreme Court declines to intervene - Reuters confirms the second point made in the Talking Points Memo article.

 Virginia Attorney General: Same-Sex Marriage Should Begin ‘Later Today’ - Oh yeah. This is getting good.  

LIVE BLOG: The freedom to marry comes to 5 more states - Follow the Freedom To Marry blog for updates regarding todays' ruling. 

Meanwhile, the opposition is in a complete state of shock. Bryan Fischer issued this uncharacteristically boring tweet:
 

The Supreme Court, by doing nothing, just issued the de facto Roe v. Wade ruling of sodomy-based marriage.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanJFischer) October 6, 2014

It's boring because we can usually count on him for visions of fire, brimstone, and an angry God knocking heads. Now Peter LaBarbera has a better, but more confusing tweet:

It's civil disobedience time in #Oklahoma + other states: OK (76% opposed) offers the best chance to reject the SCOTUS ruling on SSM. #tcot
— Peter LaBarbera (@PeterLaBarbera) October 6, 2014

What that hell does that mean? People who don't support marriage equality should refuse to attend gay weddings? Sure. Works for me.

Or does it mean come to gay weddings and interrupt the proceedings. Feel free to come to mine. We will sit you right next to the mothers of the grooms and when the preacher asks if anyone objects and you feel the need to stand up, we will take a 15 minute intermission to watch you get your behind whipped.

Bakery vs. gays is not just about cakes

It's sad how lazy people are when it comes to the case of the bakery in trouble for refusing to bake a wedding cake for a lesbian couple.

It's not about a business having a First Amendment right nor is it about a lesbian couple refusing to take their business elsewhere.

It's about basic fairness. A secular business should not be allowed to use the "religious liberty" card to discriminate. 

The folks at the progressive show, The Young Turks, puts it better than I can:

'Being gay and under financial hardships' & other Friday midday news briefs

How Being Gay 'Decimated' This Man's Life Savings - Forget about that nonsense regarding the bakery. THIS STORY HERE is what we should be talking about.

 Influential Religious Right Donor Indicted For His Role In The Lisa Miller Kidnapping Case - Keep an eye on this case. Slowly but surely it's moving into some serious religious right inner circles.

Meet two activists who brought sweeping change to the gay rights movement - Two awesome individuals. One I know on a personal level (little complaint on the general scheme of things - are we ever going to hear about lgbts of color helping to change the gay rights movement one day?)  

Fearing Same-Sex Marriage, Louisiana Church Kicks Out Alcoholics Anonymous Group - Oh real Christian, guys.

'Ex-Gay Awareness Month' is a sad passive-aggressive farce

As fast as one anti-gay event is over (the Values Voter Summit), here comes another one.

Today marks the second annual 'Ex-Gay Awareness Month.' If you don't remember the first one from last year, it's because it was a tremendous flop.

Anyway, this is where supposed ex-gays (professional ex-gays who claim to be delivered from homosexuality so much that they get a pay check every time they portray themselves as such) gather with anti-gay groups and talking heads in a sad attempt to cast themselves as victims of gays who supposedly want to deny their existence.

 It's an interesting racket, except for the simple fact that no one is buying the crap they are selling because we all recognize it as a passive-aggressive way to cause the lgbt community more consternation.

For example, one of their goals this year is to lobby Congressional leaders to NOT pass pro-lgbt legislation.

Also, if you are a glutton for punishment, take a look at their itinerary of events and who they are aligned with.

And if you need further proof of how fake 'Ex Gay Awareness Month' is, check out this video of their featured speaker, Alan Keyes - a sad man who will be remembered by history only as the man whom President Obama defeated to become an Illinois senator and thus beginning his road to the White House:

'Celebrate the heroes of LGBT History Month' & other Thursday midday news briefs

Editor's note - It is on very rare occasion that I make such an appeal but I implore you all that before or after you read these news briefs, please read my morning post, Family Research Council distorts Navy survey, stoops to new low by attacking gay servicemembers. Of all of the ugly acts of homophobia undertaken by FRC, this ranks as one of the worst because the group is not only demonizing our gay and lesbian service members, but it is exploiting a real problem in the military - sexual assault - by sending out false information. When inaccurate information is sent out about a problem, the problem rarely gets solved. FRC is doing our military a serious injustice.

In other news:

It's that time again, LGBT History Month, when we celebrate and honor the lgbts who have made positive impacts in the world. I am very satisfied with this year's list, particularly with the inclusion of the late Sylvester James. Sylvester James was one of the greatest singers ever and he rarely gets his due. 

 NOM vows to keep destroying the Republican party through spiteful campaigns - Maybe standing up to NOM will finally make the Republican party remember that it has a spine . . . oh who am I kidding?  

Holding The Religious Right To Its Own Standard - Unintentionally hilarious piece. You know you can't do that sort of thing. They always find a way to weasel out of adhering to their own rules, particularly when it comes to Supreme Court justices recusing themselves. 

 Lesbian Couple Sues Sperm Bank For Providing Wrong Donor’s Sperm - A lesbian couple is suing a sperm bank for providing them with the sperm which produced a mixed race child. On its face, this sounds like a horrendous story. However, as you read the story, you get a better understanding of the issue's complexities. I still think the suit is horrendous but it says a lot, not only about sexual orientation, but the problems people create for mixed raced children.

Family Research Council distorts Navy survey, stoops to new low by attacking gay servicemembers

No matter how low I think the Family Research Council will stoop to attack lgbts, the organization never ceases to astound me . Case in point is the following I received via email:

In a survey of 5,536 Navy personnel, only 27% say morale is "good" or "excellent," a freefall from past responses, where strained troops still managed to keep their spirits up. Now, a half-decade deep into the President's social experiment with the military, the scars are starting to show. Almost half of enlisted troops said they "distrust senior leaders" -- an opinion shared by 40% of officers. And the wave of pessimism threatens to affect more than just the Navy.

From uncertainty over their retirement to the frustration with "excessive political correctness," most of our brave men and women barely recognize the military they gave up their lives to serve. Instead, sailors say they harbor widespread doubts about the men commanding them, "complaining of poor leadership and a disciplinary environment that tolerates absolutely no mistakes."

What they mean is no politically incorrect mistakes. What the Obama military does tolerate, unfortunately, is a brave new world of sexual liberalism and religious censorship -- both of which are tearing at the fabric of America's fighting force. Sexual assaults and suicides are through the roof since the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in 2010 -- and suddenly, the biggest cheerleaders for repeal are nowhere to be found. The Pentagon downplayed the effects of open homosexuality when it was implemented in 2011 -- something it will have a tough time doing now, with the rate of male-on-male assaults at a record high. While the media highlights the female victims, the Pentagon's 1,400-page report explains that service men are just as affected -- if not more so.

Now, four years later, the administration is scratching its head at the sky-high suicides and sexual attacks. Defense officials are racing to reassure people that they're doing everything they can to get to the bottom of these issues -- only to inject more policies that accelerate both. They put political correctness ahead of national security and then seem surprised when both the nation and the people that protect us are at risk.

According to the Washington Times, the survey "was released amid complaints by some aviators about excessive political correctness as the military seeks to stamp out sexual harassment and misconduct in an increasingly gender-integrated Navy." Obviously, these are complex and emotional issues -- from personal safety to private beliefs. If we want to solve these crises, a key component to addressing them is the same vibrant faith this administration is trying to stamp out. Is this really the time we want to tell service members they can't rely on God?

The Family Research Council is clearly implying that it is the Obama Administration's supposed attack on religious liberty and the decision to allow gays to serve openly which led to the survey's negative responses.

That is a lie.

Neither article linked by the Family Research Council (one from Military.com and the other from The Washington Times) mentions anything regarding "religious liberty" or gays serving openly in the military as reasons for the negative responses to the Navy survey.

The article from Military.com said:

A U.S. Navy retention survey found that sailors are increasingly unhappy with lengthy deployments, a high operational tempo, and recent calls to reduce pay and benefits.

In addition, fewer numbers of Navy sailors aspire to earn positions held by their superior officers as sailors have a widespread distrust of Navy leadership, the independent survey found.

"Sailors are most likely to leave uniformed service because of a perception of increasingly high operational tempo, poor work/life balance, low service-wide morale, declining pay and compensation, waning desire to hold senior leadership positions, and a widespread distrust of senior leadership, all of  which erodes loyalty to the institution," the survey states.

The Washington Times article says pretty much the same thing. Now while the headline of the article in that publication mentions 'political correctness,' the article itself only mentions the term in the following paragraph:

 The independent survey was released amid complaints by some aviators about excessive political correctness as the military seeks to stamp out sexual harassment and misconduct in an increasingly gender-integrated Navy.

This still means that FRC's claim is a lie.

Perhaps the most vicious lie in FRC's piece is the following:

 Sexual assaults and suicides are through the roof since the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in 2010 -- and suddenly, the biggest cheerleaders for repeal are nowhere to be found. The Pentagon downplayed the effects of open homosexuality when it was implemented in 2011 -- something it will have a tough time doing now, with the rate of male-on-male assaults at a record high. While the media highlights the female victims, the Pentagon's 1,400-page report explains that service men are just as affected -- if not more so.

A link between the repeal of DADT and the rate of male-on-male rapes in the military has not been proven, except for in the minds of people ignorant to buy into the stereotype of predatory gay males.  According to Media Matters:

 A study by Palm Center, a research institute focused on sexuality and the military, has found no evidence that open service has led to increased sexual assault. Nor, the center reported, did repeal lead to a decline in military cohesion or morale . . . Increased reporting of incidents may well reflect Defense Department efforts to encourage servicemembers to speak up if they've been assaulted. Emphasizing that sexual assault remains a "heinous" problem, Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-MA), co-chair of the Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus, told CNN that the rise in reports may well reflect "legislative and military changes" encouraging people to come forward.

As The New York Times reported in June 2013, the military's DADT policy discouraged victims of male-on-male sexual assault from reporting incidents, for fear that admitting to even non-consensual same-sex relations could lead to discharge.

Furthermore, in creating the stereotype of the predatory gay male, FRC exploits and undermines the real problem of male-on-male rape in the military.

A December 14, 2013 article in The Baltimore Sun, Breaking the Silence, talked extensively about this issue. The article noted that the problem has unfortunately existed for decades. It also noted that male-on-male rape in the military was not an issue of sex but of power and emasculation:

Military data show that the typical perpetrator is a man who has served longer in the military than his victim and holds a higher rank. In most cases, the assailant identifies as heterosexual.

Roger Canaff, who has trained Army lawyers in prosecuting sexual assault cases, says many attacks amount to a particularly violent form of hazing.

It “isn't necessarily seen as a sexual act,” says Canaff, a former prosecutor in New York and Virginia. “It's seen as a humiliating act. It's the ultimate act of emasculation.

“You see that in fraternity life, sometimes. You see that in the civilian world. The military has it also.”

We've seen on a number of occasions that, for an organization which talks about Biblical principles, FRC has no problem with trashing the commandment about " not bearing false witness."

This time, we are seeing that while the group talks about the greatness of America (which it did recently in celebrating the anniversary of The Star Spangled Banner), the Family Research Council has no problem disrespecting the men and women whose service has led to this country's greatness,  and also exploiting their problems to demonize the entire gay community.

Stephen Colbert gives the Values Voter Summit the disrespect it fully deserves

Only Stephen Colbert can stick it to the Values Voter Summit like no one else:

The Colbert Report
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Indecision Political Humor,The Colbert Report on Facebook

'Paper trail ruins anti-gay activist's denial of homophobia' & other Wednesday midday news briefs

Ever since the Human Rights Campaign's The Export of Hate report came out, various religious right figures spotlighted in it have been screeching and complaining about how HRC is exposing them to danger or trying to silence them.

The most annoying reaction has been that of Michael Brown, founder of the FIRE School in Ministry in Concord, N.C., and host of the daily, nationally syndicated talk-radio show “The Line of Fire.”

His reaction has been a folksy, Will Rogers type of "Aw shucks. I don't know what HRC is talking about. I'm only defending Christian values." The low key and semi comedic tone Brown has taken is a deliberate attempt to take attention away from the fact that he not only deserves to be included in Export of Hate, but he also deserves the profile given to him by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Amongst other things, Brown has claimed that:

 gays use youth suicide victims as 'pawns,'

and defended Uganda anti-homosexuality law as necessary to fight HIV/AIDS.

However for my money, the most awful thing about Brown is the video above, which I don't think he has ever disavowed:

During an interview with GOD TV’s Sid Roth of It's Supernatural!, Michael Brown discussed his new book, A Queer Thing Happened To America, about the deleterious impacts of gay rights in America. Best known for its over-the-top promotional ad, A Queer Thing Happened To America focuses on “analyzing the foundational arguments of the gay civil rights movement and exposing the extreme intolerance of those calling for tolerance.” Before the interview, a trailer for the book features a boy at school imagining the terror of having same-sex parents: over-sentimental mothers who bandage his wounds and kiss him before he goes to sleep and dysfunctional fathers who tie his shoe laces and send him off to school. 

I think that when Shakespeare wrote that line about "daggers behind smiles," he had folks like Brown in mind

In other news: 

Facebook Requires LGBT People To Use Real Names Even In Countries Where Homosexuality Is A Crime - Oh Facebook. You are seriously screwing up. 

Are some anti-LGBT activists missing a self-awareness gene? - Or to put it another way - "Anti-gay activists are getting majorly high on their own supply."

 Congressman Defends Anti-LGBT Discrimination With Irrelevant Study - Such is the dangers of ignoring times when anti-gay groups and activists use anti-gay junk science. With no proper push back, these monstrosities make their way to Congress where they can do some REAL damage to the lgbt community.

The anti-gay right LOVES to use junk science against gays

During last night's post, I made reference to an interview the American Family Association's Bryan Fischer conducted with discredited researcher Paul Cameron in 2013. Below is a video of the interview:



Two reminders:

 1. Cameron is a discredited researcher who is head the Southern Poverty Law Center-designated hate group the Family Research Institute. Almost two decades ago, he was THE go-to man for anti-gay propaganda even though he was known to be a quack who pushed such theories as gay men stuffing gerbils up their rectums.

His work has been cited on more than one occasion by many anti-gay groups from the Family Research Council to the American Family Association. As his history of fraud became widely known, these groups distanced themselves from him without so much as an apology for using him as a source in the first place.

But not totally. Last year, Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association conducted an interview with Cameron, allowing him to freely cite the lies which got him dismissed  and censured from the American Psychological Association and the American Sociological Association in the 80s.


2. Don't take Bryan Fischer too lightly. He may spout outrageously homophobic lies but he has considerable power as a voice of the AFA, including the power to get  US Congressional leaders to appear on his show .

If you aren't alarmed by this, then what is your problem?

Viciously homophobic interview confirms HRC's 'Export of Violence' report

Earlier today, I published a piece about an explosive report by the Human Rights Campaign, The Export of Hate, which pointed out how various anti-gay figures were peddling lies and propaganda to foreign countries in an attempt to spread anti-gay hate abroad.

My piece also pointed out some individuals spotlighted in the report were claiming that HRC was lying about them, targeting them for violence, and attacking them simply for their Christian beliefs.

Well the following interview refutes those lies. It's between anti-gay talking head and Colorado state legislature candidate Gordon Klingenschmitt, and another anti-gay figure who is spotlighted in HRC's report, Paul Cameron.

Based on what you are about to see and hear, these two videos need no introduction.






However, there are two things you should keep in mind.

1. Cameron is a discredited researcher who is head the Southern Poverty Law Center-designated hate group the Family Research Institute. Almost two decades ago, he was THE go-to man for anti-gay propaganda even though he was known to be a quack who pushed such theories as gay men stuffing gerbils up their rectums.

His work has been cited on more than one occasion by many anti-gay groups from the Family Research Council to the American Family Association. As his history of fraud became widely known, these groups distanced themselves from him without so much as an apology for using him as a source in the first place.

But not totally. Last year, Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association conducted an interview with Cameron, allowing him to freely cite the lies which got him dismissed  and censured from the American Psychological Association and the American Sociological Association in the 80s.

2. According to HRC's report, The Export of Hate (pgs 11-12)

Cameron has visited Russia and Eastern Europe repeatedly since 2008 to peddle his “research.” In June 2008, Cameron first appeared at a roundtable on “deviation of social norms in modern society” at Moscow State University.  In October of that year, he was in Moldova to lecture on the “demographic disaster” that he believes is being unleashed by contraception and rights for LGBT people and women. Cameron returned to Moldova in 2011 to lobby against anti-discrimination laws. The Moldovan government took Cameron’s message to heart and in 2013 passed a law banning LGBT “propaganda,” but it was quickly repealed as part of the nation’s drive to join the European Union. Cameron has also appeared elsewhere in Eastern Europe, including a controversial trip to Poland in 2009 when he was turned away from giving a speech on homosexuality at a university and forced to find a new venue after a newspaper learned of his background.

Cameron also returned to Russia in 2013, to address a Duma roundtable on “family values.”  Cameron’s presence was intended to bolster support for a bill that targeted gay and lesbian parents and threatened to take away their children. Cameron’s testimony was full of false statistics, including the “fact” that one in three gay people support having sex with children. Duma member Alexander Sidyakin later tweeted that Cameron’s testimony was evidence that children should be taken away from LGBT parents and adopted by other families.

Even in countries Cameron has not visited personally, his influence has been felt. The original authors of Uganda’s horrific anti-homosexuality law cited Cameron’s work alongside that of Scott Lively when drafting their bill. When the bill was passed into law in 2014, Cameron openly applauded and claimed that harsh penalties were needed to discourage homosexuality, just like murder.

Just more proof that any ideas that HRC's report is an attempt to silence Christians  or subject them to violence is a lie.  Those who believe this tripe should be less fearful of HRC's report and more fearful that they think Cameron is the type of person who encompasses a true Christian.

Editor's note - Cameron's "statistics" were widely cited to create illustrations for the 1985 comic book, Deathstyle. I used these illustrations in my booklet, How They See Us: Unmasking the Religious Right War on Gay America. The purpose of How They See Us was to demonstrate the roots of anti-gay propaganda and how it doesn't change over the years.

Hat tip to Right Wing Watch for the Cameron interview.

'Family Research Council's Tony Perkins gives dodgy answer on anti-gay propaganda' & other Tuesday midday news briefs

Tony Perkins, Family Research Council President, On Claim Of Link Between Homosexuality And Pedophilia - Dear Family Research Council head Tony Perkins, the three word answer you gave about the organizations which have accused you and your organization of linking homosexuality to pedophilia only proves your hypocrisy, lack of integrity, and total disregard for truth, particularly in light of the fact that you are on record making this link. You do nothing but underscore that the Family Research Council will collapse under the weight of all of its homophobic lies. If I were you, I would buy a hard hat. 

Faith, LGBT People, & the Midterm Elections - GLAAD comes out with a guide for journalist who challenge anti-gay spokespeople who claim to be speaking on the grounds of faith. This is an excellent resource to have.  

Stop Persecuting Us! Five Religious Right Tactics On Clear Display At The Values Voter Summit - Another handy guide to have.  

Why It’s A Myth That LGBT People Are Financially Well Off - I can look in my bank account and debunk THAT myth.  

FRC senior staffer: 'Ex-Gays: The Best Kept Secret in Your Child’s School'  - Coming Friday, the second annual "Ex-Gay Awareness Month' Conference  (I know. I got a little nauseous, too).

Anti-gay leaders can't refute HRC 'Export of Hate' report

Last week, the Human Rights Campaign unveiled a stunning report which accused various religious right leaders of spreading anti-gay hate and propaganda abroad.

The Export of Hate called out several religious right leaders, including Peter LaBarbera, Paul Cameron, and Scott Lively.

They spew venomous rhetoric, outrageous theories, and discredited science. Some claim that LGBT people are responsible for the Holocaust, the Rwandan genocide, and the spread of HIV/AIDS. Others argue that LGBT people are luring away children, and that acceptance of LGBT people will lead to the destruction of families around the world. Some even suggest that the death penalty could be an appropriate punishment for simply being LGBT.

HRC's report also includes  short videos spotlighting each leader.

Now these individuals had every opportunity to refute the report. The following are various responses they gave:

Peter LaBarbera -   LaBarbera says he’s tempted to “laugh off HRC’s shenanigans,” but he understands some people with a violent bent might take action against him on account of the report. LaBarbera, Peter“Basically they're trying to create an image of pro-family Christians as being the haters that they claim we are,” he says. “We don't hate homosexuals. We don't hate anybody," the activist counters. "We simply want people to repent and turn away from homosexual behavior. But because we're not haters they had to create hateful images to associate with us.”

Scott Lively - I believe they are now deliberately trying to incite murder against me and every other person on their enemies list . . .Because I am a Bible-believing Christian I am not afraid of death. But neither am I volunteering for martyrdom. As of today I am for the first time going to start taking precautions against the possibility of being assassinated by agents of the LGBT movement. For one thing, I will no longer publicize my travel schedule in advance.

Michael Brown -  I'm here to the put the HRC on notice: Your fear-mongering tactics will be exposed and, speaking for myself (but with confidence that my words apply to others), I will not bow down to your bullying tactics or your rap-sheet nonsense.

Robert Oscar Lopez - This is a teachable moment because it reveals a great deal about what makes the Human Rights Campaign tick. They’re after your kids, plain and simple; all their other issues are mere window dressing. They have convinced themselves that gays are a tribe unto themselves, so their consuming goal is to populate the tribe so they don’t disappear. Parenthood is their great white whale. They want to have children to love them and call them Mom and Dad. They need to get those children from you because biology prevents them from siring them naturally. Gentlemen readers, these folks are trying to find a way to get the sperm out of your testicles and into their laboratories; lady readers, these folks need to find a way to implant an embryo of their sperm in your womb, keep you obedient during the gestation, and take your baby away forever.

While all of these individuals played the "fear card," not one outright denied the charges of HRC's report. The only person who came relatively close was Michael Brown, but he sidestepped HRC's pertinent accusation:

And I simply reported the facts in terms of American culture and education and the media and religious rights in light of LGBT advances.

That in itself, as well as the absolutely shrill responses, proves that HRC's report was a huge success. It struck a raw nerve. 

Anti-gay activist: Gays want to steal sperm and implant embryos

Because of the following comments (which folks have to read to believe they came from a human being), I am practically BEGGING the Family Research Council to make Robert Oscar Lopez a speaker at its next year's Values Voter Summit.

PLEASE!!!!!!!:

Lopez

This is a teachable moment because it reveals a great deal about what makes the Human Rights Campaign tick. They’re after your kids, plain and simple; all their other issues are mere window dressing. They have convinced themselves that gays are a tribe unto themselves, so their consuming goal is to populate the tribe so they don’t disappear.

Parenthood is their great white whale. They want to have children to love them and call them Mom and Dad. They need to get those children from you because biology prevents them from siring them naturally. Gentlemen readers, these folks are trying to find a way to get the sperm out of your testicles and into their laboratories; lady readers, these folks need to find a way to implant an embryo of their sperm in your womb, keep you obedient during the gestation, and take your baby away forever. The main item on the gay lobby’s agenda is patently insane. People don’t generally want to let lesbians milk sperm out of their testicles.

 People don’t usually like the idea of gay men gestating babies in their wombs and then taking them away. (And no, “visitation” plans where these gamete donors get to see their progeny a few times a month are not a good arrangement; that stuff’s really creepy.) And at least with me, these HRC lackeys cannot pull the old “are you saying my children are worth any less?” routine. Just because you control a human being doesn’t mean that’s your child. Even if someone is your child, criticizing you is not the same as insulting your child.

 This is basic, but somehow the HRC manages to whitewash the complexities. Despite all the choreographed photographs of happy gay couples with children, people generally do not like growing up and knowing that half of them was sold to a gay couple.

Hat tip to Right Wing Watch

'Michele Bachmann attempting to walk back marriage equality comments' & other Monday midday news briefs

Michele Bachmann Tries To Walk Back 'Boring' Gay Marriage Remarks - This is FUNNY! At the Values Voters Summit, Michele Bachmann said that the issue of marriage equality was not an issue and it was boring. Now she is attempting to walk back her comments. I've never seen a white woman moonwalk before. Should be interesting.

 4 New Groundbreaking Laws That Protect LGBT People In California - Good for California! 

Top Minnesota Newspaper Under Fire For Publishing Full-Page Anti-Trans Ad (Photo) - As well they should be in trouble. SOCK IT TO THEM, FOLKS!

 Audio: Peter LaBarbera attempts to deny 'hate' by repeating his extremely hateful quote - In the years to come, Porno Pete LaBarbera will be remember as one of the folks whose exploits actually hastened lgbt equality.  

Serbia gay pride march takes place undisturbed - The gay pride march in Serbia took place peacefully in spite of the threats of violence. That's something which should make us all smile.

Mat Staver's lie defining moment of Values Voter Summit

The Family Research Council's Values Voter Summit is over and as predicted, it was as nauseating as hell.  It's the one time of the year which I don't envy the folks who stand on the very front line to monitor anti-gay groups and the like.

They have to actually attend or intensely watch mess like this.

So what to me is the stand out moment of the Values Voter Summit? Is it the fact that Sen. Ted Cruz won the straw poll again but has absolutely no chance of winning the presidency (proving that there is a merciful God) or Sarah Palin's incredibly stupid botch of White House address (girlfriend, even a first grader knows that address)?

No. To me, one can basically describe not only this Values Voter Summit, but every other one of those monstrosities, and the entire mindset of the anti-gay right by the speech of the Liberty Counsel's Mat Staver.

According to People for the American Way's Religious Right Watch:

Mat Staver spent a good portion of his speech at the Values Voter Summit today fuming over a letter sent by People For the American Way, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and five other civil rights and LGBT organizations to Republican National Committee chair Reince Priebus, asking members of the GOP not to participate in the conference, citing the anti-gay extremism of its sponsors.

Staver's organization, Liberty Counsel, is among those very sponsors and he is not very happy about being labeled an anti-gay extremist, despite this long and documented record of being one.

Staver fumed that he is being attacked merely for believing "in God's natural created order of male and and female and marriage as the union of one man and one woman."

 "For me believing in something that is that obvious," he complained, "I am considered by some groups to be a hater. But I hate no one. I hate no one, but I believe in God's truth and I will not be silent in the face of intimidation." In an effort to prove that he is not an extremist, Staver then went on to liken himself to Jesus when he turned over the tables of the money changers in the temple before declaring that marriage equality teaches that children do not need mothers or fathers. "That is an absolute lie from the very pit of Hell," he said.

I would almost understand Staver's anger except for one simple problem - Staver is on record, in writings and videos, spouting all sorts comments which contradicts his claims of innocence.

Such as the following, courtesy of GLAAD:

Claims LGBT advocates are doing "the bidding of the devil"
 
Claims negotiating with what he calls 'homofascists' (i.e. advocacy groups like GLAAD) is 'almost like negotiating with terrorists'

On coexisting with LGBT rights: "You cannot coexist, you cannot give up on something, that is literally an attack on God himself.”

 Claims marriage equality obliterates the idea of God: "Same-sex marriage is ultimately the abolition of gender; it’s ultimately the abolition of any moral behavior with regards to human sexuality. This whole assault on marriage is really an attempt to obliterate not only morality but Judeo-Christian morality, to obliterate marriage and to even obliterate the idea that there even is a God."

On the repeal of the discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: "We believe they've slapped the military in the face and have betrayed the men and women in the service by using the military to push the homosexual agenda. We will ask the House to refuse to fund the repeal, which will take millions of dollars to fund."

Claims that children with gay parents will end up “behind bars for committing violent crimes.” (0:00 - 0:56)

Claims: "Same-sex marriage, same-sex relationships is destructive to individuals and it’s destructive to our very social fabric."

“It may sound crass, but take a fan for example, and instead of having the male plug, have the female plug, and try to see if you can make it work. You’re not going to be able to plug it into a wall. The fact is nature teaches you -- you don’t have to have anything -- that’s why a five-year-old can understand that this is against nature. That’s why it’s been called a crime against nature. (0:00 - 0:27)

 Says President Obama has a "sexual anarchist agenda"

 Staver is not an anamoly when it comes FRC's Values Voter Summit or the anti-gay right. He is just one in a large number of these folks on the right who  claim that they are being unjustly persecuted for being Christian and that they don't voice hate, even though there is a paper trail more than a mile long which contradicts their claims.

Yet they keep saying "we are not haters."  "Those things they say about us aren't true." "These people are lying on us because they want to destroy America's Christian heritage."

It seems to me that the values of these folks are less about Christianity and more about the Jedi mind trick. Whatever the case may be, all of this stuff is going to come to a head one day. People like Staver can only outrun the truth for so long before they get winded and tired.

And truth never gets winded or tired.

Yes, this is what we can expect from the Values Voter Summit. We've been hearing it thus far

Before the monstrosity of the Values Voter Summit commenced, Media Matters compiled some of the worst comments uttered by the speakers from past interviews as an indication of what the weekend will be like. And yep, that's what we've been hearing thus far:

Let's throw a little bit of truth in Family Research Council's Values Voter Summit

The Family Research Council has begun its Values Voter Summit a few hours ago and already some of the media is throwing out sanitized reports of the proceedings by claiming that attendees are merely wanting to stand up for "religious liberty" and "Christian values."

Of course that's nonsense and I am undertaking a plan to break through the junk. There is a hashtag on twitter for this summit - #VVS14.

I think lgbts should not only take it over, but use it to push the actual picture of the anti-gay right by referring to things they don't want the media to talk about. I have already sent out six examples. Crude, but I think very effective. I encourage those who can or desire to to feel free and follow my lead by copying these or creating your own. I used GLAAD's wonderful Commentator Accountability Project for the following:

#VVS14 "Hitler recruited around him homosexuals to make up his Stormtroopers . . . they were his thugs." pic.twitter.com/q8caUVYFmo
— Holy Bullies (@holybullies) September 26, 2014

#VVS14 - " . . .homosexual men are more likely to engage in child sexual abuse than are heterosexual men." pic.twitter.com/iqwMdkd14X
— Holy Bullies (@holybullies) September 26, 2014

#VVS14 - Claims LGBT activists are going to "start rolling out the boxcars" and carting away Christians pic.twitter.com/Ihd7rZvrHe
— Holy Bullies (@holybullies) September 26, 2014

#VVS14 When the religious right say they 'love gays,' they mean this http://t.co/eled0ZqVXF pic.twitter.com/NE1IynW7x2
— Holy Bullies (@holybullies) September 26, 2014

Or you can feel free to send them tweets which link copies of my booklet- How They See Us: Exposing the Religious Right War on Gay America:

#VVS14 This is what they mean by 'religious liberty' - http://t.co/eled0ZqVXF pic.twitter.com/kAG0k6WrQr
— Holy Bullies (@holybullies) September 26, 2014

And this is my personal favorite:

#VVS14 The #religious right claims to love #gays, but is what they mean by "love" - http://t.co/eled0ZqVXF pic.twitter.com/gSIkLqeO0e
— Holy Bullies (@holybullies) September 26, 2014

Again, this is just a suggestion. As you can tell, I myself will be highly busy this weekend with these tweets. I hope others can join me with either these or tweets of their own.

How much verbal gay-bashing will we hear at the Values Voter Summit

This weekend will be the Family Research Council's Values Voter Summit. America will hear some of the most outrageous and ridiculously unsound rhetoric from folks who consider themselves the creme de la creme of morality and conservatism in American politics.

And all of it will be anti-gay.

If the past Values Voter Summits are any indication regarding, expect to hear some of the following nauseating inducing trash:

 





 

'Anti-gay groups team up to defeat pro-gay Republicans' & other Thursday afternoon news briefs

Conservatives Launch ‘Unprecedented’ Campaign Against Pro-Marriage Equality Republicans - NOM, the Family Research Council, and CitizenLink is encouraging folks to NOT cast their ballots for three Republicans who support marriage equality and also because two of the candidates are gay. I've heard of getting so angry that you grab your toys and go home, but grabbing other people's toys too? Wow! 

Anti-gay pastor says he’s victim of discrimination - His blatant homophobia kept him from getting a job at a Georgia health agency so now he is suing for discrimination. GOOD LUCK WITH THAT! 

 Anti-Gay Pastor Likens Fight Against Marriage Equality To The American Revolution - Since a black pastor made this statement, I can say the following with impunity and a clear conscience - NEGRO, PLEASE!!!!  

Can you honestly assess anything, Tony Perkins? #VVS14 - Apparently the Southern Poverty Law Center isn't the only person the Family Research Council lied on in its letter from last night.

Family Research Council engages in self-destructive bravado on eve of Values Voter Summit

Editor's note - This post was supposed to go out this morning but thanks to an impaired internet access, I am presenting it now.

Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council

Yesterday, several progressives groups including the NAACP, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and People for the American Way published an open letter in the Washington Post and The Hill which called out the Republican Party for its allegiance to anti-gay groups such as the Family Research Council and for the decision of several Republicans to attend that organization's upcoming Values Voter Summit. 

Last night, in a show of unbelievable stupidity, the Family Research Council took the bait by answering the letter via email with a bit of bravado and a lot of lies:

What annual event has the Left so worried that they are spending tens of thousands in advertising dollars to stop? You guessed it; the Values Voters Summit. In today's Washington Post, leftwing groups including GLAAD, (known for its failed campaign to fire Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson,) the anti-Christian Southern Poverty Law Center, and the George Soros-funded "Faithful America," signed onto a three-quarters page ad demanding that speakers "not attend the Values Voter Summit."

The lies came about when FRC attacked the Southern Poverty Law Center, which it has a special dislike of ever since SPLC declared it an anti-gay hate group in 2010:

Last year, the FBI dumped the SPLC as a website resource and the U.S. Army distanced themselves from the SPLC. A federal court ruled against the SPLC in a harassment lawsuit it brought against a pro-family group. Even the SPLC's own supporters are growing increasingly uncomfortable with the SPLC's attacks on free speech. It is odd that some people feel the need to attack those who are merely defending religious liberty and affirming the importance of the type o f relationship which naturally provides children with a mother and a father. There will continue to be disagreement on how marriage should be defined, but reasonable people can approach this subject respectfully, thoughtfully and passionately. If you are in the D.C. area this weekend, please join us at the Values Voter Summit as we exercise our First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly.

Don't be fooled by FRC's various claims.

Allow me to break it down.

1. Did the FBI dump SPLC as a resource?

No. According to the site Equality Matters:

As Good As You’s Jeremy Hooper noted, the FBI continues to list SPLC as a partner in the fight against hate crimes on its website.

The right-wing narrative is also contradicted by an official statement from the FBI. In a statement to The Daily Caller, and FBI spokesperson said:

“Upon review, the Civil Rights program only provides links to resources within the federal government,” an FBI spokesman told The Daily Caller. “While we appreciate the tremendous support we receive from a variety of organizations, we have elected not to identify those groups on the civil rights page.”

2. Did the US Army distance themselves from the Southern Poverty Law Center?

No. FRC exaggerated on the incident. Last year, an SPLC briefing was held at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. In this briefing, certain SPLC-designated hate groups were listed, including the American Family Association. Conservatives and religious right spokespeople - such as Fox News personality Todd Starnes - falsely claimed that SPLC was attacking AFA for its religious values, when in actuality AFA was listed as a hate group because of the false and slanderous things it says about the lgbt community. These folks caused so much of a stink that future briefings were halted.

3. Are former supporters of SPLC turning their backs on the organization?

 No. The link FRC provided as proof of this is a column from a conservative site, cnsnews.com, by an African-American woman named Catherine Davis. While she rails against SPLC, at no time did she ever indicate that she was ever a supporter of the organization.  Nor was her column about SPLC's supposed attack on free speech. It was criticizing the lgbt community. Davis was allowing the predominantly white conservative establishment to use her in order to exploit the supposed gay vs. black divide.

4. What was the lawsuit SPLC "lost" against a pro-family group?

Even that claim by FRC isn't totally true.  SPLC had sued an anti-gay group, Public Advocate (which is another SPLC-designated hate group), on the behalf of a gay couple whose personal photos the organization digitally altered and used for anti-gay campaign ads. The judge in the case only dismissed part of the lawsuit.

According to LGBTQNation:

U.S. District Court Judge Wiley Daniel agreed the photo’s use was noncommercial and a matter of legitimate public concern. However, he also ruled the couple and their photographer have a possible copyright infringement claim.

In June, the photographer, Kristina Hill, won a judgement of $2501 against Public Advocate for copyright infringement.

Let's be real about something - none of the organizations who signed that letter are so naive as to think they could stop the Values Voter Summit from taking place nor could they keep Republicans from attending.

And certainly the purpose of the letter wasn't to stifle speech.

The purpose of the letter was mainly strategic. Its goal was to educate the public and continue debate about the real face of the Family Research Council and other groups who claim to stand for morality and Christianity.

 Remember this passage in the letter:

These groups engage in repeated, groundless demonization of LGBT people — portraying them as sick, vile, incestuous, violent, perverted, and a danger to the nation.

The Family Research Council, the summit’s host, is vigorously opposed to extending equal rights to the LGBT community. Its president, Tony Perkins, has repeatedly claimed that pedophilia is a “homosexual problem.” He has called the “It Gets Better” campaign — designed to give LGBT students hope for a better tomorrow — “disgusting” and a “concerted effort” to “recruit” children into the gay “lifestyle.”4 He has condemned the National Republican Congressional Committee for supporting three openly gay candidates.

Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association, a summit sponsor, has said the U.S. needs to “be more like Russia,” which enacted a law criminalizing the distribution of LGBT “propaganda.” He also has said, “Homosexuality gave us Adolph Hitler, and homosexuals in the military gave us the Brown Shirts, the Nazi war machine, and six million dead Jews.”

Similarly, Mat Staver of the Liberty Counsel, another summit sponsor, has compared those who do not denounce same-sex marriage to those who remained silent during the Holocaust. Marriage equality, he has said, is the “beginning of the end of Western civilization.”

And thanks to FRC's absolutely stupid decision to answer the letter, particularly with lies about SPLC, the groups who signed the letter succeeded in their purpose.

FRC's behavior reminds me of the fable of the vicious dog who bit so many people that a bell was hung around its neck so as to warn folks when it was coming.  The dog, totally ignorant, took the bell as sign of distinction and rang it constantly.

Imagine how stupid it felt when an older dog said, "what you mistake for a mark of fame and honor is actually a reminder of how much of a disgrace you are."

Feel free to ring your bell anytime you want by responding to the claims that you are a hate group, FRC. No matter how much you lie, we know the truth.

And what you really are - a bad dog without a leash nipping at the heels of every lgbt you can find.

LGBT, African-American, liberal & religious groups call out the anti-gay right, Republican Party

The following letter appeared this morning in The Washington Post and The Hill:

 OPEN LETTER TO REPUBLICAN NATIONAL
COMMITTEE CHAIR REINCE PRIEBUS

Where Does the GOP Stand on Gay Bashing?

Dear Mr. Priebus,

Fifteen years ago, your predecessor called for party members to shun the Council of Conservative Citizens because of the group’s “racist views.”

“A member of the party of Lincoln should not belong to such an organization,” GOP Chairman Jim Nicholson said. His comments had their intended effect: Senior members of Congress distanced themselves from the group.

Today, Chairman Priebus, we ask that you take a similar stand and call upon Republican officials to disassociate themselves from the groups behind the upcoming Values Voter Summit.

The reason is simple: These groups engage in repeated, groundless demonization of LGBT people — portraying them as sick, vile, incestuous, violent, perverted, and a danger to the nation.

The Family Research Council, the summit’s host, is vigorously opposed to extending equal rights to the LGBT community. Its president, Tony Perkins, has repeatedly claimed that pedophilia is a “homosexual problem.” He has called the “It Gets Better” campaign — designed to give LGBT students hope for a better tomorrow — “disgusting” and a “concerted effort” to “recruit” children into the gay “lifestyle.”4 He has condemned the National Republican Congressional Committee for supporting three openly gay candidates.

Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association, a summit sponsor, has said the U.S. needs to “be more like Russia,” which enacted a law criminalizing the distribution of LGBT “propaganda.” He also has said, “Homosexuality gave us Adolph Hitler, and homosexuals in the military gave us the Brown Shirts, the Nazi war machine, and six million dead Jews.”

Similarly, Mat Staver of the Liberty Counsel, another summit sponsor, has compared those who do not denounce same-sex marriage to those who remained silent during the Holocaust. Marriage equality, he has said, is the “beginning of the end of Western civilization.”

This kind of extremism should not be legitimized by elected officials, because it is contrary to our nation’s highest ideals. As you have said, “People in this country, no matter straight or gay, deserve dignity and respect.”

Yet, as in years past, several prominent members of your party — including U.S. Sens. Rand Paul and Ted Cruz, and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal — are currently planning to address the Values Voter Summit that begins on Thursday in Washington.

So, the question now is: Will you live up to your own words and tell the members of your party to shun groups that demean other people and deny them dignity? Will the GOP condemn anti-LGBT bigotry as vigorously as it opposed racism 15 years ago?

Political leadership makes a difference. We ask that you urge the members of your party not to attend the Values Voter Summit.

Sincerely,

Michael Sherrard, Executive Director
Faithful America

Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO and President
GLAAD

Chad Griffin, President
Human Rights Campaign

Wade Henderson, President and CEO
Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Sherrilyn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.

Michael Keegan, President
People For the American Way

J. Richard Cohen, President and CEO
Southern Poverty Law Center

I doubt this letter is going to do anything to move Preibus or the Republican Party to denounce the religious right, but I don't think that was its sole purpose. Regardless, it is wonderful to see these groups openly call out and denounce the religious right.

And I hope to see more things like this because it would signal that we are moving in a new direction in this so-called cultural war; a direction in which lgbt organizations and their allies play offense rather than defense.

'Southern Baptist Convention kicks out gay-friendly church' & other Wednesday midday news briefs

Beware The Gay Antichrist! The Seven Most Appalling Moments In Values Voter Summit History - I'm amazed that Right Wing Watch could condense the list to just seven.

Southern Baptists Kick Out Gay-Friendly Church - Because if churches welcome gays, it would help their self-esteem and if gays have high self-esteem, they won't engage in negative behaviors. Then what will the religious right use to claim that homosexuality is a "dangerous lifestyle?"

Barber: Marchers Should Denounce 'Homosexual Enslavement Lifestyles' At St. Patrick’s Day Parade - For God's sake, give it a rest, Matt Barber. 

I'm Gay. Get Over It,' State Senator Announces During Push For LGBT Hate Crimes Bill - To paraphrase Maggie Smith in Murder by Death - "I like him . . . I really, really like him."

 Anti-Gay Pundits Recycle Doomsday DADT Rhetoric To Defend Military's Transgender Service Ban - Who cares if the rhetoric isn't true. As long as it scares people.

Stories of LGBT African Americans

This video is from three years ago, but it's very pertinent. Being gay and African-American is a unique experience which doesn't get as much attention as it should, i.e. those of us who are that identity rarely get to talk about our lives. Instead others boggart and talk about us as if we are lab experiments. As the lgbt community slowly moves to equality, let's not forget that our struggle transcends age, country, and especially race:

Debunking the Top Five Myths About LGBT Non-discrimination Laws

This video, courtesy of Equality Matters, should be required viewing for everyone supporting lgbt non-discrimination laws. I've seen those against these laws demonstrate the ability to repeat talking points and lies on cue. We need to pick up that ability when it comes to debunking the talking points and lies.:

Family Research Council exploiting Meriam Ibrahim to bash Obama, lgbts' & other Tuesday midday news briefs

Tony Perkins Uses Meriam Ibrahim To Promote Anti-Obama, Anti-Gay Agenda - How morally bankrupt is the Family Research Council? Even when the organization helps to save a woman from being executed in Sudanese country, it tells lies about the situation to bash Obama and the lgbt community. 

In Utah’s same-sex marriage debate, should the children be off limits? - Looks like our opposition is getting highly tacky. 

 Louisiana State Judge Rules Against Same-Sex Marriage Ban - BOOM! 

 Americans Growing Anti-Gay, Want Even More Religion In Their Politics - To willful men, the injuries they procure must be their own schoolmasters. Careful what you wish for, folks.

  U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan officiates her first same-sex wedding - Sweet! 

 Bisexual Visibility Day: 22 Reasons Why We're Celebrating - 22 very good reasons.

FRC's 'Values Voter' summit will be another anti-gay hot mess

It's that time of year again when the Family Research Council unleashes one of its  "Values Voter" summits on America. It's going to be a cornucopia of homophobia, anti-Obama lies and basic nastiness under the guise of  "protecting morality."

Everybody who is anybody in the right-wing will be there from Michelle Bachmann to Sarah Palin (although I doubt Palin will be talking about that brawl her family got into recently). From Right Wing Watch comes a short who's who listing:

Tony Perkins 

Tony Perkins is president of the Family Research Council, the chief sponsor of the Values Voter Summit. Now a widely recognized spokesman for social conservative causes, Perkins served two terms as a Republican legislator in the Louisiana House of Representatives before launching a failed bid for the U.S. Senate in 2002.

Perkins has: Contended that the anti-bullying “It Gets Better” project is “immoral,” “disgusting,” and promotes “perversion.”

Defined efforts by the Obama administration to advance LGBT rights abroad as a push for “radical sexualism” and “global homosexuality.”

 Praised a Uganda bill that would have condemned gays and lesbians to death as an effort to “uphold moral conduct that protects others and in particular the most vulnerable.”

Warned that LGBT rights advocates will launch a holocaust against Christians, placing those that oppose same-sex marriage into “boxcars.”

Mat Staver 

Mat Staver is the dean of the Liberty University School of Law and the founder and chairman of its affiliate, Liberty Counsel, which is a sponsor of the Values Voter Summit.

 At a previous Values Voter Summit, Staver claimed that progressives are using LGBT rights and secular government in order to “ultimately implode America” and that the “agenda of the homosexual movement” is to destroy freedom and Western civilization.

Through his position at Liberty Counsel, Staver has: Suggested that the president was using health care reform to create his own personal army of Brownshirts.

 Claimed that President Obama “does not respect America” and wants to intentionally cripple the country so he can gain global power.

 Called the legalization of same-sex marriage “the beginning of the end of Western Civilization,” warning it will lead to “forced homosexuality.”

 Benham Brothers 

Twin brothers Jason and David Benham were catapulted to national attention this year when an HGTV show that they were set to star in was cancelled following revelations about their anti-gay, anti-choice, anti-Muslim activism. Since the show’s cancellation, the brothers have become a cause célèbre for the Religious Right, which has lifted them up as an example of the supposed persecution of conservative Christians in America.

One or both of the brothers have: Asserted that the LGBT equality movement is part of a “spiritual fight" between God and the “kingdom run by Satan.”

Urged the city of Charlotte, NC to deny permits to an LGBT Pride event, calling it a “vile” and “destructive” activity that “should not be allowed in our city.”

Compared the fight against marriage equality to opposing Nazi Germany.

Called an Islamic community center a “den of iniquity” and referred to Muslims as “the enemy attacking" America.

For more about the rest of the "Values Voter" attendees, go here.