Originally posted to Progressive Blue
Most here have probably heard of the American Family Association. I'd even venture to guess that you are likely aware that the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has listed the AFA as a hate-group for their anti-gay rhetoric. Texas Governor Rick Perry is either unaware of, or more likely, agrees with the AFA rhetoric.
Texas Governor Rick Perry has a plan to bring down unemployment, pay off the national debt, stop natural disasters, and smoke the terrorists out of their spider holes: He's hosting a prayer summit.
and
The Houston event is being funded by the American Family Association, a conservative Christian organization that's been classified as a "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center for its incessant promotion of false, anti-gay propaganda.
Rick Perry to Host Hate Group-Funded Prayer Summit | Mother Jones
If you aren't aware of the AFA, here's a sample from the SPLC to let you know the vile propaganda they distribute.
"[T]he homosexual lifestyle is characterized by anonymous sexual encounters and celebration of sexual obsession and perversion unparalleled in any other social group."
– Richard Howe, "Homosexuality in America," AFA publication, 1994
"As with smoking, homosexual behavior's ‘second hand' effects threaten public health… .Thus, individuals who choose to engage in homosexual behavior threaten not only their own lives, but the lives of the general population."
– Gary Glenn, president of Michigan chapter of AFA, 2001
The event to be hosted at the Reliant Center in Houston is billed as a day of fasting and prayer called "The Response: A Call to Prayer for a Nation in Crisis". Rick Perry has invited the other 49 governors to attend and to promote the day of prayer and fasting in their own states. PDF of one letter (sent to the governor of Alabama) can be found here.
Setting aside the questionable constitutionality of the promotion by a governor of this event for a moment, consider the message this sends to the LGBT community in Texas, and in any state whose governor accepts this invitation. And let's not forget that a great many Republicans are hoping this man will enter the 2012 Presidential race. Apparently, Rick Perry doesn't see a problem with treating LGBT people as pariahs. Again, from Mother Jones:
He has repeatedly asserted, for instance, that Texas' homosexual conduct statute, which criminalized gay sex, was a good law that should not have (been) overturned by the Supreme Court.
But never fear, for the forces of good have already begun planning a very public response to "The Response". On Facebook, there are already at least two events being planned. One quite serious (Protest of Rick Perry's Prayer Event), and one which simply intends to mock Perry's event (Day of Debauchery & Gluttony). If you live in Texas, and can come to Houston, we'd love to have you join us in the serious protest. If you don't live in Texas, then (from the Protest Facebook page):
If you reside outside of Texas, visit this website to urge your state governor to reject Perry's invitation to the event: http://action.secular.org/...
The protest page is urging Texans to contact Governor Perry and register your opinion. As a native Texan, I'll tell you that is a waste of your time. But if you want to tilt at windmills for a few minutes, they list his contact link on their page. The words have not been invented to tell you just how disgusted I am by this vile misuse of state funds and resources. If you look at the letter linked above, you will see this invitation is on official state letterhead, so it is clear that Rick Perry doesn't see the need to keep this separate from his official duties. I hope you will join me in letting others know about this, and expressing your displeasure in whatever way you can. Thank you.