Evangelicals Give Gays a Good Name

Every time Pat Robertson opens his mouth, we’re all showered in oogie word vomit. Most recently, he gave what might be described as a ridiculous and outstandingly offensive commentary on the events in Haiti, claiming that the reason for the devastating earthquake was a pact between Haiti and the devil. Before this debacle was Robertson’s 9/11 gaffe, when he and Jerry Falwell jointly blamed international terrorism on, who else, the gays! While many cringe at the absurdity of his comments, are they really a blessing?

The problem with some conservative evangelicals is that they shroud their hatred with a veil of tolerance. As both Carrie Prejean and Sarah Palin have demonstrated, most anti-gay, homophobic, and heterosexist people don’t consider themselves as such. These folks genuinely believe that they can deny gays the right to marry, adopt, or be out in the military, but it’s cool as long as they magnanimously allow gays to, well, be alive.

That’s why it's pleasing to see the truth of homophobia in all its glory. Ironically, it’s the most violent haters of the gay community such as Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church who help our cause. Phelps and his nutty church are absolutely and utterly vile. But because of their extreme stunts, they’ve become an international joke — which makes their opposition to gay causes a joke, as well.

There are a lot of moderate thinkers in America, or at least thinkers who are apathetic or undecided on gay right issues. Studies show that about 11 percent of the U.S. population have irresolute opinions on gay marriage, arguably the most hotly contested gay right. To convert these undecideds to our side, it certainly doesn’t hurt when the usual suspects come across as absolutely insane.

The success behind anti-gay opposition has been the Machiavellian bashing — preaching love and acceptance but implying we’re all child molesters and abominations. If we could just get every anti-gay opponent in the world to show their true colors, we could finally expose the animus that is at the root of our gay foes. The angry, vengeful, violent, red-faced evangelicals are actually our best friends. So keep on talking, Pat Robertson and the rest of you, you’re making the people you hate look mighty fine in the process.

Photo Credit: db*photography