|
TODAY'S BUZZ
|
|
|
Anti-gay groups host "Thanksgiving Family Forum" fundraiser with GOP presidential candidates
From a news release
2011-11-18
|
|
This article shared 3598 times since Fri Nov 18, 2011
|
|
WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign is taking GOP presidential candidates to task for embracing hostile anti-gay groups by participating in Saturday's "Thanksgiving Family Forum." This debate-style forum billed as an "in-depth conversation" in Des Moines, Iowa, is hosted by leading anti-gay groups The Family Leader, the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), and Focus on the Family. Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul are confirmed to attend.
"These groups are among the most viciously anti-gay out there," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "By participating in this debate, the GOP presidential candidates are proving — as most of them have many times in the past — that they are beholden to extremist groups and do not represent the viewpoints of mainstream Americans — nearly 80 percent of whom see LGBT discrimination as a problem, according to recent polling. With ticket packages for this forum selling for as high as $1,500, the candidates are essentially raising funds for a group does nothing except demonize and spread dangerous lies about LGBT Americans."
The Family Leader is led by Bob Vander Plaats. He has previously called being gay a public health risk akin to secondhand smoking, saying: "If we're teaching the kids, 'don't smoke, because that's a risky health style,' the same can be true of the homosexual lifestyle. That's why I think we need to speak the truth once in a while." Vander Plaats also has said that allowing loving, committed same-sex couples to marry would lead to the end of private property and incest.
Earlier this year, the Family Leader released its "Marriage Vow" for GOP presidential candidates. The Vow claimed homosexuality was both a choice and a risk to public health. Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum signed the document. Read the Family Leader's "Marriage Vow: A Declaration of Dependence Upon Marriage and Family."
NOM also has a "Marriage Pledge," signed by almost all of the leading GOP candidates. In its Pledge, NOM calls on the candidates, if elected, to set up a McCarthy presidential commission to investigate claims of harassment against traditional marriage supporters. Earlier this week, HRC issued a memo highlighting that NOM's claims of "harassment" — purely a tactical move to evade campaign disclosure laws — have been soundly rejected in every single court in which NOM has filed a challenge.
Frank Luntz — billed as "America's Favorite Pollster" by the forum sponsors — will moderate Saturday's discussion.
|
|
|
|
This article shared 3598 times since Fri Nov 18, 2011
|
ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE |
---|
|
| | Half of LGBTQ+ college faculty surveyed consider moving to another state due to anti-diversity, equity, inclusion laws 2024-05-01 --From a Williams Institute press release - Anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) laws have negatively impacted the teaching, research, and health of LGBTQ+ college faculty, according to a new study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law. As a result of ...
|
| | 2024 LGBTQ+ Advocacy Day happening May 8 2024-05-01 On Wednesday May 8th, 2024, Equality Illinois and LGBTQ+ community partners from across the state are hosting the annual LGBTQ+ Advocacy Day. At a time when anti-equality governors and legislators are pursuing harmful and discriminatory initiatives ...
|
| | Iraq's parliament passes harsh anti-LGBTQ+ law 2024-04-30 Iraq's parliament has passed a law criminalizing same-sex relations with up to 15 years in prison, media outlets reported. The law aims to "protect Iraqi society from moral depravity and the calls for homosexuality that have ...
|
| | Chicago organizations call for Chicago Pride Parade's return to full capacity, more meaningful engagement 2024-04-30 --From a press release - Statement: Members of the Mayor's Advisory Council on LGBTQ+ Affairs, the Chicago Pride Parade Organizers, and supporting organizations call on Mayor Brandon Johnson to promptly restore the 2024 Chicago Pride Parade to its original capacity. The ...
|
| | Interim Cook County clerk chosen ... and it's not Morrison 2024-04-30 The Cook County Democratic Party has named Cook County Commissioner Monica Gordon as interim Cook County Clerk and a candidate for the November election following the death of Karen Yarbrough, ABC 7 Chicago noted. November's election ...
|
| | Male strip club replacing Berlin Nightclub is accused of body-shaming Chicago dancer 2024-04-29 Operators of a Florida-based strip club chain plan on filling the vacant storefront left by Berlin Nightclub's closure, but the business's policies regarding dancers and women visitors have some petitioning to stop it from opening. Johnson's ...
|
| | Biden administration strengthens Affordable Care Act protections, health coverage for LGBTQ+ Americans 2024-04-27 --From a press release - WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Biden-Harris administration announced the finalization of a new regulation strengthening non-discrimination protections enforced by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The updated rule, implementing Section 1557 ...
|
| | Families of trans youth in Tennessee can still seek out-of-state healthcare, despite new amendment 2024-04-26 --From a press release - NASHEVILLE — Parents can still seek gender-affirming health care for their children outside of Tennessee, despite legislation headed for the governor's desk aimed at creating confusion and fear for these ...
|
| | NATIONAL Montana suit, equality campaign, Michigan St. incident, hacker group 2024-04-26 Video below - A class-action lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Montana is challenging that state's policies restricting transgender people from updating the gender markers on their birth certificates and driver's licenses, Montana Public Radio reported. The suit, fi ...
|
| | Quigley looks ahead to November election at LGBTQ+ roundtable 2024-04-25 U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Illinois) discussed the importance of voting in this year's election and the consequences its results could have on the LGBTQ+ community during a roundtable discussion Thursday at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. ...
|
| | State Sen. Villanueva discusses migrants, reproductive freedom and LGBTQ+-rights at ALMA town hall 2024-04-25 On April 23, the Association of Latinos/as/xs Motivating Action (ALMA) held a virtual town hall, in collaboration with Equality Illinois, that featured Illinois state Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-12th District). ALMA ...
|
| | Center on Halsted looks ahead to New Horizons at annual Human First Gala 2024-04-22 New Horizons was the theme of this year's sold-out Center on Halsted (The Center) annual Human First Gala April 20 at The Geraghty in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. Ahead of the awards ceremony, the Center's Board of ...
|
| | Legislation to increase HIV testing, Linkage to Care Act passes Illinois House with bipartisan vote of 106 2024-04-20 --From a press release - SPRINGFIELD — Thursday night, House Bill 5417, the Connection to HIV Testing and Linkage to Care Act, or the HIV TLC Act, championed by State Representative Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) passed the Illinois House of Representatives with ...
|
| | HRC continues call for Title IX rules that protect transgender student-athletes 2024-04-19 --From a press release - WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Department of Education announced it has finalized a Title IX rule that clarifies the scope of nondiscrimination protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity throughout educational activities ...
|
| | WORLD Nigeria arrest, Chilean murderer, trans ban, Olivier Awards, marriage items 2024-04-19 Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's (EFCC's) decision to arrest well-known transgender woman Idris Okuneye (also known as Bobrisky) over the practice of flaunting money has sparked questions among several ...
| |
|
|
|
|