Bigots Are Exploiting Tragedies to Silence Gay-Rights Advocates

Peter LaBarbera is the president of a little-known but dangerous hate group called Americans For Truth About Homosexuality. He issued a venomous statement recently following the tragic suicides of gay teens who were violently bullied in school. The statement was filled with lies and misinformation about people who are gay. It´s not known if LaBarbera -- who looks and appears as if he himself is gay – has relatives who are homosexual. He probably does. Mr. LaBarbera, here are the facts about our lesbian and gay children, sisters, nephews, uncles, aunts, and other relatives:

>> Homosexual practice is never wrong. To advocate for gay rights, including the right for same-sex marriage, is also never wrong. Homosexual behavior is not a sin. Jesus never condemned homosexuality. To condemn gay people, including homosexual activist Mary Cheney (who is the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney), is an abomination.

>> It is moral and Christian to "mainstream" homosexuality in schools because that teaches tolerance and diversity. Telling children they have a gay uncle, aunt, brother, or sister helps prevent violence and discrimination against people who are gay.

>> No sincere Christian supports violence or hatred directed at homosexuals. But Mr. LaBarbera´s rambling and incoherent tirade DOES lead to violence and hatred. His lies about our gay family members lead to MORE bullying. In fact, Mr.LaBarbera´s website has an image of a Nazi on its home page. Instead of posting pictures of Nazi´s on his website, Mr. LaBarbera should accept Christ, repent his sin, and change his tune - as countless former "gay bashers" have. Violence and abuse toward homosexuals is the work of people who reject Christian love and compassion.

>> Bullying in any form is wrong and must be stopped. It can only be addressed through acceptance of gay people. Anti-bullying measures in schools lead to this acceptance and help protect our family members.

>> Anti-gay hate-mongers are NOT Christian. They are bigoted, uneducated, and ignorant bulllies. Their lies stem from their hatred of people whose only crime is love. Often these militants are also racist. Anti-gay bigotry and racism go hand-in-hand.

>> The very few people who claim to be "ex-gays" often lead unhappy lives. They eventually overcome their decision to live "the lie" and return to loving whom they really want to love.

>> Driven by their hatred of moral opponents, anti-gay extremists are shamelessly exploiting the suicides of homosexual youth and violent attacks against gays to escalate their rhetoric and misinformation about our family members. They continue to encourage violence against gay people. Their aim is to silence the voice of reason, while encouraging more violence in schools. Nobody wants their child bullied in school, whether gay or not.

>> Like the Holocaust deniers, the conservative media -- which is also racist and anti-immigrant -- is denying the linkage between hate speech and violence against gays. These lies must stop. The media must return to its proper role of reporting accurately that anti-gay hate speech leads to violence and bullying. There is NO other side to this debate.

Christians who believe that the proper response to anti-gay hatred in our society is to speak the truth are TRULY Christian. Now more than ever, young people and all Americans need to hear the truth: that violence and discrimination against gay people is morally wrong. We need to protect the family members we love, who are gay.

Mr. LaBarbera, you have a girl´s first name in your last name. Maybe you were bullied in school.