OK, here’s a hypothetical. Let’s say you are a teen, boy or girl, and you suspect you may be gay, and you would like to discuss it with your mom. Which of the following moms do you think you would find it easiest and most reassuring to talk to? Which of the following moms would most likely give you the love and support you need at this critical time in your life?
Michele Bachmann:
“It isn’t that some gay will get some rights. It’s that everyone else in our state will lose rights. For instance, parents will lose the right to protect and direct the upbringing of their children. Because our K-12 public school system, of which ninety per cent of all youth are in the public school system, they will be required to learn that homosexuality is normal, equal and perhaps you should try it. And that will occur immediately, that all schools will begin teaching homosexuality.” - March 6, 2004, as guest on radio program “Prophetic Views Behind The News”, hosted by Jan Markell, KKMS 980-AM
“Don’t misunderstand. I am not here bashing people who are homosexuals, who are lesbians, who are bisexual, who are transgender. We need to have profound compassion for people who are dealing with the very real issue of sexual dysfunction in their life and sexual identity disorders.” — November 6, 2004, speaking at EdWatch National Education Conference
Sarah Palin:
"I believe that states have that constitutional right to make decisions about a variety of issues, but when it comes to some very fundamental, very cornerstone aspects of our society, of our culture, I personally would love to see a national dialogue about what will America continue to define as marriage. . . overwhelmingly the people within the states have said they want to continue to define marriage as one man and one woman, as the Muslims do, Orthodox Jews do, nondenominational Christians do, faith-practicing Catholics do. It truly is a cornerstone of religion and civilization." - July 31, 2012, interview with Greta Van Susteren
Sally Field:
“Sam is my youngest son, by 18 years, and he’s gay. To that, I say: So what? Growing up, Sam wanted desperately to just be like his older brothers . . . But Sam was different. And his journey to allow himself to be what nature intended him to be was not an easy one. . . I could make it easier only by standing visibly to the side, clearly loving him, always being there and always letting him know. . . One of the great privileges of my life to have been allowed to be a part of Sam’s journey. . . There are people out there – organizations and politicians, strangers who have never even met Sam – who would rather devote themselves to denying his happiness. Why would anyone want to prevent my son—or anyone’s son or daughter—from having basic legal safeguards like family medical leave, Social Security survivors benefits, or health insurance? It doesn’t make any sense—but it won’t change until people speak out.” - March 28, 2014, open letter
Is it any wonder that homophobic misinformation and bigoted attitudes are handed down from generation to generation? Is it any wonder that gay kids are terrified to talk to their families about their sexuality? Wouldn't we all love to have a mom we with whom we can have a frank, supportive, non-judgmental discussion about sex?
OK, let’s vote –