{"id":54127,"date":"2017-06-22T16:10:51","date_gmt":"2017-06-22T20:10:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/hatewatch-trump-pence-endorse-agenda-of-anti-lgbtq-organization\/"},"modified":"2017-06-22T16:10:51","modified_gmt":"2017-06-22T20:10:51","slug":"hatewatch-trump-pence-endorse-agenda-of-anti-lgbtq-organization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/hatewatch-trump-pence-endorse-agenda-of-anti-lgbtq-organization\/","title":{"rendered":"#HateWatch: Trump-Pence Endorse Agenda of Anti-LGBTQ Organization"},"content":{"rendered":"

#HateWatch: Trump-Pence Endorse Agenda of Anti-LGBTQ Organization<\/b>
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HRC condemned the Trump Administration\u2019s plans to celebrate an organization dedicated to undermining LGBTQ people and families.\u00a0Tomorrow, Pence \u2014 who has his own long and extensive record opposing LGBTQ equality \u2014 will speak<\/a> on behalf of the Trump Administration at an anniversary celebration of Focus on the Family, a right wing organization that peddles harmful junk science like conversion therapy and lobbies for the erosion of rights for LGBTQ people and families. The Trump Administration\u2019s ceremonial endorsement of Focus on the Family\u2019s agenda during Pride Month is yet another clear indication of their hostility and opposition to LGBTQ equality.<\/p>\n

\u201cMike Pence has spent his career attacking and undermining LGBTQ people and our families, and now, as Vice President he\u2019s continuing the crusade,\u201d said JoDee Winterhof, HRC Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs. \u201cThis is an extreme organization that promotes the dangerous and abusive practice of \u2018conversion therapy,\u2019 lobbies against allowing LGBTQ people to adopt children who need homes, and opposes anti-bullying efforts in schools. These views are not just antiquated \u2014 they are dangerous and wrong. And for the Vice President of the United States to lend credibility to them is beyond shocking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Focus on the Family threatened that marriage equality will bring the destruction of civilization, and it has referred to the children of same-sex<\/a> couples<\/a> as \u201chuman guinea pigs.\u201d They continue to promote the junk science behind conversion therapy, advocate for discriminatory policies and engage in other actions<\/a> that cause real harm to LGBTQ people and families. Mike Pence has repeatedly praised the organization\u2019s founder, James Dobson, and even called him his mentor at a gathering of anti-LGBTQ activists in June<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Over the years, Focus on the Family has made anti-LGBTQ activism a cornerstone of its work. In 2014, HRC highlighted 10 things you should know about Focus On The Family<\/a>. The organization and its leaders have continued their harmful actions by:<\/p>\n