A number of rightwing groups plan to combat a youth-run lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) event held in schools across the country with a series of conservative protests this week.
Organized by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), the national "Day of Silence" aims to draw attention to anti-gay bullying, harassment and name-calling in schools. In an effort to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior in middle schools, high schools and college campuses, students will take a "vow of silence" on April 20 to illustrate "the silencing effect of bullying and harassment on LGBT students and those perceived to be LGBT," according to GLSEN's website.
As a counterpart, Focus on the Family has organized the so-called "Day of Dialogue" (formerly "Day of Truth"), set for April 19, which encourages students "to express their Biblical viewpoint in a loving and Christ-centered way -- especially when sensitive issues, like bullying and sexual identity, are addressed in their schools," HuffPost Gay Voices reported in February. (see promo clip above)
A number of high-profile, rightwing pundits also felt similarly, with some even calling the event "a cover for the promotion of homosexuality."
"It’s something where they are basically taking a legitimate concern, which is that of bullying, and they are using that serious problem that does happen as an opportunity by which they will then promote and essentially indoctrinate children and expose children to the acceptability of the homosexual lifestyle," Truth in Action Ministries' Jerry Newcombe is quoted by Right Wing Watch as saying earlier this week. "Now bullying is wrong, but so also is indoctrination into a deadly lifestyle."
Mission America President Linda Harvey also expressed similar sentiments in a WND column, writing, "The goal is to exploit the tender sympathies of kids to promote homosexuality and gender confusion. The agenda is everything; Judeo-Christian morality is the enemy; and sadly, kids are the tools." Barb Anderson of the Minnesota Family Council went even further, likening the "Day of Silence" to acceptance of Nazis and slavery -- listen to audio below:
Take a look at other ridiculous LGBT statements made by rightwing pundits below:
