23 LGBT Groups Issue Statement on Family Research Council Shooting
Following this morning's shooting of a security guard at the Christian lobbying group Family Research Council, 23 LGBT groups have issued a joint statement:
We were saddened to hear news of the shooting this morning at the offices of the Family Research Council. Our hearts go out to the shooting victim, his family, and his co-workers.
The motivation and circumstances behind today’s tragedy are still unknown, but regardless of what emerges as the reason for this shooting, we utterly reject and condemn such violence. We wish for a swift and complete recovery for the victim of this terrible incident.
Signatories, AFTER THE JUMP...
Wayne Besen
Founding Executive Director, Truth Wins Out
Carly Burton
Deputy Director, MassEquality
Dr. Eliza Byard
Executive Director, Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
Jennifer Chrisler
Executive Director, Family Equality Council
Brad Clark
Executive Director, One Colorado
Emily Dievendorf
Director of Policy, Equality Michigan
James Esseks
Director, ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project
Lynn A. Faria
Interim Executive Director, Empire State Pride Agenda
Jenna Frazzini
Executive Director, Basic Rights Oregon
Herndon Graddick
President, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
Chad Griffin
President, Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
Jody M. Huckaby
Executive Director, PFLAG National (Parents, Family, Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
Mara Keisling
Executive Director, National Center of Transgender Equality
Kate Kendall
Executive Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR)
Abbe Land
Executive Director & CEO of The Trevor Project
Ineke Mushovic
Executive Director, Movement Advancement Project
Darlene Nipper
Deputy Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Donna Red Wing
Executive Director, One Iowa
Aubrey Sarvis
Executive Director, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network
Josh Seefried
Co-Director, OutServe
Lee Swislow
Executive Director, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders
Rachel B. Tiven, Esq.
Executive Director, Immigration Equality
Chuck Wolfe
President and CEO, Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Institute
Evan Wolfson
President, Freedom to Marry
An excellent and compassionate statement.
Posted by: TerryA | Aug 15, 2012 3:32:42 PM
Good to see our LGBT groups are a whole lot more responsible (and politically savvy) than the people that tend to post remarks here.
Posted by: "The GAY" | Aug 15, 2012 3:43:12 PM
Teh Gay - this is not a national news magazine and I'm not a columnist. I'm being politically savvy for pointing out the likelihood of this NOT being what it appears to be. There simply isn't much of this kind of left wing violence in this country today. End of discussion! When is the last time an "abortion alternatives provider" - who insists on raped women having their babies - was bombed by the left wing? As "the gays" like to say: gurl, please!
Glad these organizations were smart enough to issue this statement. Now we just need to get the FRC to start issuing apologies for gay bashings.
Posted by: EchtKultig | Aug 15, 2012 3:53:49 PM
It is good to see so many organizations behaving in a respectful and kind way. I hope that the right wing takes notice and tries to act like that but given theire history, it is doubtful. I am praying for this man and his family. I can only hope for healing and maybe a chance to change a few minds.
Posted by: Ian | Aug 15, 2012 9:55:42 PM
Very noble undertaking by many of the leading LGBT spokespersons. That man employed as a security guard did not deserve to receive any righteous outrage that the Nat Turners in the LGBT community feel like exacting. Take better planning and aim more accurately next time, okay, all of you fed-up belittled and marginalized folks who are the unapologetic ceaseless targets of these self-anointed "pro-family" anti-LGBT-rights inciters of hatred, violence and death to the LGBT citizenry of a truly put-upon American populace that can only be poked in their collective eyes so much before the very calls for anti-LGBT violence and suppression are met with equal or even superior blowback. In recognition of the innumerable LGBT folks who were marched alongside their Jewish neighbors into work camps and gas ovens: NEVER AGAIN!
Posted by: Tom Cardellino | Aug 15, 2012 10:26:59 PM
Smart move to cover their asses.
Posted by: J. Dredd | Aug 16, 2012 11:17:48 AM
This is disappointing.
Not to say that opponents of anti-gay hate should be compelled to take any responsibility for this tragically ineffective act. In fact, that's the point. I don't see why they should be compelled to display any remorse. The only remorse I feel about this thing is that he didn't get past the guard (the guard who, btw, was "only making a living" the same way a NAZI prison guard in 1940 was "only making a living"). If he had, the way to address it would be to not address it. Addressing it at all is to walk into the wingnut trap of treating such "losses" as if they were regrettable, when in fact they are justice.
Posted by: CT4LaDuke | Aug 16, 2012 2:32:56 PM