Renowned evangelist Franklin Graham, known for his longstanding opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, is set to deliver the invocation at the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on Monday, January 20. This announcement follows the release of the inauguration program that has been shared widely on social media platforms.
Franklin Graham serves as the president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, an evangelical Christian humanitarian aid organization, as well as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, named after his late father, the famous evangelist Billy Graham. Franklin Graham also provided the invocation for Trump's first inauguration in 2017, marking his continued support for the Trump administration.
Record of Anti-LGBTQ+ Advocacy
Graham has been a vocal opponent of LGBTQ+ rights throughout his career. His stance has been documented extensively by organizations such as GLAAD. Over the years, he has made numerous statements and taken actions that reflect his opposition to LGBTQ+ equality.
One notable example is Graham's support for Russian laws that target the so-called "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations." These laws have been used to suppress media and organizations that portray LGBTQ+ identities and relationships in a positive light. Graham praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for his efforts to "protect his nation’s children from the damaging effects of the gay and lesbian agenda." He lamented what he views as a moral decline in the United States on these issues.
Domestic Policy Opposition
Domestically, Graham has opposed various LGBTQ+ events and initiatives. He has spoken out against Pride celebrations, equating them to "celebrations of lying, adultery, or murder." Furthermore, he has voiced strong opposition to the inclusion of LGBTQ+ history in public school curricula, stating that educators should not teach "something that is an affront to God."
Graham has also expressed controversial views regarding gender identity and public restroom access. When North Carolina, his home state, rolled back protections allowing gender-diverse individuals to use restrooms corresponding to their gender identity, Graham tweeted that such policies would "expose" people to "pedophiles and sexually perverted men in women’s public restrooms."
Controversial Statements on LGBTQ+ People
Graham has repeatedly characterized LGBTQ+ individuals in derogatory terms, suggesting that the community is predatory and has intentions of "recruiting" children into being gay, lesbian, or transgender. He has consistently opposed the legalization of same-sex marriage, stating that former President Barack Obama’s support for marriage equality was tantamount to "shaking his fist at the same God who created and defined marriage." Graham expressed that it grieved him deeply to see such support for same-sex unions.
Moreover, Graham supports conversion therapy, a practice widely discredited and condemned by major medical organizations. He likened it to "conversion to Christianity," signaling his belief that LGBTQ+ individuals should change their sexual orientation.
Impact and Influence
Franklin Graham's influence in American politics, especially among conservative Christians, has been significant. He embraced Donald Trump early in his political career, stating in 2011 that Trump was his preferred candidate. During Trump's first campaign and subsequent presidency, Graham’s endorsement was seen as pivotal in rallying conservative Christian voters, despite their initial reservations about Trump’s lifestyle and lack of traditional religious credentials.
This strategic alliance between Graham and Trump reflects the broader landscape of American evangelical politics, where religious leaders play a crucial role in shaping political discourse and policy directions, particularly on social issues like LGBTQ+ rights.
As Graham takes the stage once again to deliver the invocation at Trump’s inauguration, his presence highlights the ongoing influence of evangelical leaders in American political life, especially in contexts where religious and political ideologies intersect.
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