Noted evangelical leader Franklin Graham is set to deliver the invocation for President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration on Monday, January 20th. This has been confirmed by a copy of the inauguration program that has been circulated online.
Franklin Graham, who is the president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, an evangelical Christian humanitarian aid organization, and of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, a group named for his late father, played a similar role during Trump’s first inauguration in 2017. His presence at such high-profile political events underscores his significant influence within evangelical circles and his alignment with conservative political figures.
Graham's Controversial Stance on LGBTQ Issues
Throughout his career, Franklin Graham has been a vocal critic of the LGBTQ community, a stance that has been well-documented by various organizations. His support for restrictive laws in Russia, which target what is described as "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations," is a part of his broader advocacy against LGBTQ rights. These Russian laws have been used to limit media representations of LGBTQ identities and relationships in ways that are positive or normalized.
Graham has publicly praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for his policies, stating that Russia was taking measures to "protect its nation’s children from the damaging effects of the gay and lesbian agenda." He contrasted this with what he perceives as the declining moral standards in the United States.
In the U.S., Graham has opposed LGBTQ-inclusive events such as Pride parades, equating them to celebrations of "lying, adultery, or murder." He has also criticized educational curricula that include LGBTQ history, arguing that it is inappropriate for schools to teach "something that is an affront to God."
Advocacy Against LGBTQ Rights in the United States
Franklin Graham’s opposition extends to legislative measures that protect the rights of gender-diverse individuals. When North Carolina, his home state, attempted to roll back laws that allowed transgender people to use public restrooms corresponding to their gender identity, he expressed concern that such policies would expose citizens to "pedophiles and sexually perverted men in women’s public restrooms." This rhetoric aligns with Graham’s broader narrative that paints LGBTQ people as predatory, a stereotype long criticized by LGBTQ advocates.
Graham has also voiced opposition to same-sex marriage. He was critical of former President Barack Obama for supporting marriage equality, suggesting that this policy decision was an act of defiance against "the God who created and defined marriage." Graham has stated that such developments grieve him personally and, in his view, are even more grievous to God.
Additionally, Graham has supported the practice of conversion therapy, a highly controversial and widely discredited practice that aims to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. He has likened conversion therapy to a form of religious conversion, underscoring his belief in its validity.
Criticism of LGBTQ Political Figures
Franklin Graham has not limited his criticism to generic policies but has also targeted specific individuals. When Pete Buttigieg, a gay man, announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, Graham commented on Twitter that homosexuality is a sin according to the Bible and something to be repented of rather than celebrated. He reaffirmed his belief that marriage should only occur between a man and a woman.
Political Alliances
Graham’s support for Donald Trump predates Trump’s political ascent within the Republican Party. As early as 2011, Graham expressed his preference for Trump as a presidential candidate. His endorsement was seen as pivotal in rallying evangelical voters behind Trump during his first presidential campaign and subsequent term. Despite Trump’s reputation as a flamboyant business figure rather than a traditional religious leader, Graham’s backing helped bridge a gap between Trump and conservative Christian voters.
The upcoming inauguration, with Graham delivering the invocation once again, symbolizes the continued alliance between Graham’s evangelical base and Trump’s political movement, reflecting broader themes of religion and politics in America.
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